akon
| Akon |
|
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Aliaune "Akon" Thiam |
| Born |
October 14, 1981 |
| Origin |
Dakar, Senegal,
Africa |
| Genre(s) |
Hip hop, R&B |
| Occupation(s) |
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Years active |
2004–present |
| Label(s) |
Konvict Muzik
|
| Website |
http://www.akononline.com/ |
Akon (born Aliaune Thiam), in St. Louis, Missouri , on October 14, 1981) is a rapper and R&B singer. He grew up in Senegal and at the age of 7 moved to Union City, New Jersey, USA. He is a Muslim, and the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam. He is fluent in his home language of French as well as English.
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Contents
- 1 Beginnings
- 2 Recently
- 3 Discography
- 3.1 Studio Albums
- 3.2 Singles
- 3.3 Music Videography
- 3.4 Guest Appearances
- 3.5 Video Project
- 3.6 Video Games
- 4 Trivia
- 5 Footnotes
- 6 External links
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Beginnings
Aliaune Thiam -- aka Akon -- grew up in Senegal before he and his family (including his father, jazz percussionist Mor Thiam) eventually settled in New Jersey. There he discovered hip-hop for the first time, as well as crime. He was eventually jailed, but he used the time to work on his musical ideas. Upon release, Akon began writing and recording tracks in a home studio. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal, which eventually released Trouble, Akon's debut LP, in June 2004. The album was an interesting hybrid of Akon's raps and silky, West African-styled vocals with East Coast- and Southern-styled beats.
Akon released his debut album Trouble in 2004, which included the singles "Locked Up, "Lonely", "Bananza (Belly Dancer)", "Pot Of Gold" and "Ghetto". "Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the U.S. and the top 5 in the UK, and was written after Akon served time in jail for grand theft auto. His manager Robert Montanez was gunned to death following a dispute in New Jersey in December 2005. "Ghetto" became a radio hit when it was remixed to include verses from legendary rappers Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac. In 2005, he released the single "Lonely" (which samples Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely"). The song reached the top 10 on the U.S. charts, and was #1 in Australia, the UK and Germany. His album also climbed to #1 in the UK in April, 2005. Recently, he gained more popularity after being featured in the song "Soul Survivor" with rapper Young Jeezy. He also has his own record label, called Konvict Muzik.
Recently
Akon's upcoming sophomore album, entitled Konvicted, is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2006 [1]. Konvicted will also include collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Styles P and Konvict Muzik lable mates Brick and Lace. Late August 2006, Akon released the single "Smack That" featuring Eminem from the upcoming album, as well as a notable new track featuring Styles P, "All My Life," released on a mixtape. The video for "Smack That" was directed by Benny Boom.
On the week of October 5, Akon breaks a record on the Hot 100, as Akon achieves the largest climb in the chart's 48-year-history with "Smack That" featuring Eminem, which rockets 95-7. The song's monstrous leap is fueled by its No. 6 debut on Hot Digital Songs with 67,000 copies sold. The 88-spot jump bests the 86-4 move by Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, and Andrew Seeley's "Breaking Free" in February.
Chilli from TLC recently signed with Konvict Musik to release her debut album executive produced by Missy Elliott. Chilli and Akon have recently finished working on 4 new tracks for Chilli's debut solo album due sometime between Fall 2006 and early 2007.
Production Work
Akon has been recently been doing some production work for Young Buck on his upcoming album called Buck The World.
Gwen Stefani's new solo album will feature production from Akon aswell as other producers.
Discography
Studio Albums
| Album cover |
Album information |
|
|
Trouble
- Released: June 29, 2004
- Chart positions:#18 Billboard 200, #1 UK, #11 AUS
- U.S. Sales: 1.4 Million copies
- Last RIAA description: Platinum
- Singles: "Locked Up", "Lonely", "Bananza (Belly Dancer)", "Ghetto", "Pot Of Gold"
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Konvicted
- Release Date: November 21, 2006
- Chart positions: TBA
- U.S. Sales: TBA
- Last RIAA certification: TBA
- Singles: "Smack That", "I Wanna Luv U", "Gangsta Bop"
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Singles
| Year |
Title |
Chart Positions |
Album |
| US Hot 100 |
UK Singles |
AUS Singles |
| 2004 |
"Locked Up" |
#8 |
#5 |
#33 |
Trouble |
| 2005 |
"Ghetto Remix" (Ali B & Yes-R featuring Akon) |
#92 |
- |
- |
Trouble |
| 2005 |
"Lonely" |
#4 |
#1 |
#1 |
Trouble |
| 2005 |
"Big Dog" |
#100 |
#92 |
#0 |
The Shaggy Dog |
| 2005 |
"Bananza (Belly Dancer)" |
#30 |
#5 |
#23 |
Trouble |
| 2005 |
"Pot Of Gold" |
- |
#77 |
- |
Trouble |
| 2005 |
"Baby I'm Back" (Baby Bash featuring Akon) |
#19 |
- |
- |
Super Saucy |
| 2005 |
"Soul Survivor" (Young Jeezy featuring Akon) |
#4 |
#16 |
- |
Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 |
| 2005 |
"Can You Believe It?" (Styles P featuring Akon) |
- |
- |
- |
Time is Money |
| 2005 |
"Moonshine" (Savage featuring Akon) |
- |
- |
#9 |
Moonshine |
| 2005 |
"Stay Down" (Ruff Ryders featuring Flashy & Akon) |
- |
- |
- |
Redemption: Volume 4 |
| 2006 |
"Snitch" (Obie Trice featuring Akon) |
- |
- |
#39 |
2nd Rounds On Me |
| 2006 |
"I Am Not My Hair (Konvict Remix)" (India Arie featuring Akon) |
- |
- |
- |
I Am Not My Hair: The Remixes |
| 2006 |
"Smack That" (featuring Eminem) |
#7
|
- |
- |
Konvicted |
| 2006 |
"I Wanna Love You" (featuring Snoop Dogg) |
#95 |
#53 |
- |
Konvicted |
| 2006 |
"Gangsta Bop" |
- |
- |
- |
Konvicted |
Music Videography
- "Locked Up"
- "Lonely"
- "Ghetto"
- "Bananza (Belly Dancer)"
- "Pot Of Gold"
- "Soul Survivor" (Young Jeezy ft. Akon)
- "Can You Believe It?" (Styles P ft. Akon)
- "Moonshine" (Savage ft. Akon)
- "Snitch" (Obie Trice ft. Akon)
- "Girls" (Beenie Man ft. Akon)
- "I Am Not My Hair (Konvict Remix)" (India.Arie ft. Akon)
- "Smack That" (ft. Eminem)
Guest Appearances
- 2005 "Rebel Musik" (Monsieur R feat. Akon)
- 2005 "The New Message" (Kam feat. Akon)
- 2005 "This Boy Here" (Que Bo Gold feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Make It Hot" (Rasheeda feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Keep Up" (20 East feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Moonshine" (Savage featuring Akon) NZ #1, Australia #9
- 2005 "Baby I'm Back" (Baby Bash featuring Akon) US #19
- 2005 "No Way Jose" (Baby Bash feat. Akon)
- 2005 "He's Leavin" (Leah Beabout) featuring Akon (unreleased)
- 2005 "So Cold" (Ric-A-Che feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Look At Me Now" Obie Trice feat. Akon)
- 2005 "So Fly" (Blewz feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Little Do They Know" (Allstars feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Soul Survivor" (Young Jeezy featuring Akon) US #4 [UK Release: 23rd January 2006](Also appears on the "Gun Session" remix of this song, by Vybz Kartel, Shabba Ranks and Sizzla)
- 2005 "Can You Believe It" (Styles P featuring Akon)
- 2005 "Dub Hop" (Tariq L feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Hey Mama" (Don Yute feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Back Again" (KAI feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Keep On Callin" (P Money feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Drop" (Milano feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Come Home" (Play-N-Skillz feat. Akon)
- 2005 "Stay Down" (Ruff Ryders featuring Flashy & Akon) [UK Release: 12th December 2005]
- 2005 "Hustler's Story" (The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Scarface, Big Gee and Akon)
- 2005 "Miss Melody" (Miri Ben-Ari featuring Akon)
- 2005 "Ghetto Soldier" (Miri Ben-Ari feat. Akon and Beenie Man)
- 2006 "She Wanna Ride" (Capone feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Wacha Gonna Do" (Brian McKnight feat. Akon and Juvenile)
- 2006 "Thats All I Know" (Kira feat. Akon, B.I.G., Keith Murray and G-Dep)
- 2006 "Gun In My Hand" (Booba featuring Akon)
- 2006 "Mr. Martin" (Pras Michel feat. Akon)
- 2006 "I Promise You (Akon Pop Remix)" (Elvis White feat. Akon)
- 2006 "I Promise You (Akon Club Remix)" (Elvis White feat. Akon)
- 2006 "U Got Me" (T-Pain featuring Akon)
- 2006 "Ur Not The Same" (T-Pain featuring Akon)
- 2006 "Party Gets Hot Tonight" (Rah Digga featuring Akon)
- 2006 "Find Us" (The Beatnuts featuring Akon)
- 2006 "Presidential Remix" (Youngbloodz featuring Akon)
- 2006 "I Am Not My Hair (Konvict Remix) India Arie feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Slow Wind Remix" R. Kelly Featuring Akon & Sean Paul)
- 2006 "Never Gonna Get It" Sean Biggs feat Topic & Akon
- 2006 "Some More" (Keith Sweat feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Street Life" (Azad feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Watch Your Movements" (Black Rob feat. Akon)
- 2006 "On The Block All Day" (Serius Jones feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Im Real" (Bleu Davinci feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Hood Times" (Big Adept feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Home Invaders" (Paperview feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Ready To" (Reynos feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Murderer Part II" (Uncle Murda feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Ride Out" (Tru Life feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Clack Clack" (Red Cafe feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Girls" (Beenie Man feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Snitch" (Obie Trice feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Look Me in My Eyes" (Blast feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Let It Clap" (Rasheeda feat. Akon)
- 2006 "I Wonder" (Smitty feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Cross That Line" (Rick Ross feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Ghetto Story Remix" (Cham ft. Alica Keys and Akon)
- 2006 "Ghetto Soldier" (Papoose ft. Akon)
- 2006 "I Wanna F*ck You" (Plies ft. Akon)
- 2006 "I Wanna F*ck You (Remix)" (Plies ft. Akon & Snoop Dogg)
- 2006 "Put It On Me" (Blewz feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Blown Away" (Styles P feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Watch Out" (DJ Khaled feat. Akon, Styles P, Fat Joe, Rick Ross)
- 2006 "Coulibaly (Akon Remix)" (Amadou and Mariam feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Survivor" (40 Cal. feat. Akon)
- 2006 "All My Life" (Styles P feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Be Easy" (G.A.G.E. feat. Akon)
- 2006 "TBA" (Monica feat. Akon)
- 2006 "TBA" (Mario Vazquez feat. Akon)
- 2006 "Private" (One Chance feat. Akon (Produced by Ryan Leslie)
- 2006 "Froze" (T-Pain feat. Akon)
Video Project
Akon is also planning to work on a full-length movie about his life. The title has been confirmed as "Money, Power, Respect: A Hustler's Dream", and the release date will be in late 2007.
Video Games
Akon, in collaboration with Japanese band Dreams Come True and video gaming companies SEGA and Sonic Team, has produced music for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog video game. These works include a remixed version of Dreams Come True's "Sweet Sweet Sweet" to be titled "SWEET SWEET SWEET -06 AKON MIX-"[2][3]. "Sweet Sweet Sweet" was originally the ending theme for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, however Masato Nakamura of Dreams Come True liked the piece of work so much that he added lyrics to it and released the song in both English and Japanese with his band, Dreams Come True, releasing it in Japanese a week before the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the album The Swinging Star.
Trivia
- When music channel The Box had a top ten weekly chart, which was calculated by the amount of video requests, Akon's Lonely became the longest running single on the top of the chart, spanning over 15 weeks. It was finally beaten by James Blunt's "You're Beautiful".
- He appeared on an episode of CSI along with Obie Trice.
- He has had many troubles with the law in his life, including a car-theft charge in which he was in jail for three years. He has also gone to jail on many other occasions.
- Was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to get the US citenzenship out the way. Shortly after his birth, he went to Dakar, Senegal, Africa. Then went to Union City, New Jersey when was 7.
Footnotes
Note: All citations to magazine articles lead to a website where scans of these magazines can be viewed free of charge
- ^ Akon Corrals Eminem, Snoop For New Album. Retrieved on August 28, 2006.
- ^ New Single, Kyou dake wa, coming November 29th!. Retrieved on September 29, 2006.
- ^ SONIC THE HEDGEHOG. Retrieved on September 29, 2006.
External links
- Official Site
- Fan Site
- Akon readies Konvicted release
- Akon's MySpace Page
- Mp3.com Biography
- Gwen Stefani preps new album
- "SexyBack" continues chart run
Categories: 1981 births | Hip hop singers | Living people | Rhythm and blues singers | Rhythmic Top 40 acts | Senegalese musicians | Muslims | Muslim musicians | Hip hop record producers | American artist-producers
ako aon kon alon akan akin aken kaon akom akn akob akkon skon aakon akonn
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