Akon, born Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam in 1973 in St. Louis, Missouri, is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, and producer. He spent time in Senegal as a child, and later moved to New Jersey where he began recording music. His debut album, Trouble, was released in 2004 and included the hits “Locked Up” and “Lonely”. He has since released several successful albums and collaborated with numerous artists. In addition to his music career, Akon has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the creation of the Akon Lighting Africa project which aims to bring solar power to Africa. He is also the founder of Konvict Muzik, a record label that has signed artists such as Lady Gaga and T-Pain. Despite controversy surrounding his personal life, Akon remains a respected and influential figure in the music industry.
