This is Akon Biography, born on (April 30, 1973 Saint Louis, April 16, 1977), whose experience in playing the Djembe, a traditional African drum, was judged “unparalleled”, was grateful for his family musical background which later paved the way for him to pursue a musical career and achieve success in the industry, making him one of the icons of the 21st century. He grew up in Senegal before he and his family returned to the United States and settled in New Jersey at the age of seven. While in Jersey City, he first discovered hip-hop when he started hanging out with crowds of local thugs.
Initially he attended Snyder High School, the boy did everything against school regulations and was kicked out after being arrested for selling guns, bullets, and evidence for every test. Later, though, he attended Bayonne High School. By attending the group, Akon also became popular for his bravery in the fights and was jailed for armed robbery and drug trafficking charges.
Meanwhile, he used his time to start writing his songs. Growing up in an environment that treasures the true artistic value of music and enjoys mastering instrumental skill, it was Akon’s deep love and passion for music that encouraged him to record songs in a home studio after being released from behind bars. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal, which released Akon’s debut LP “Trouble” in June 2004.
It was this set that catapulted him to international fame, thanks to the hit single “Locked Up”, written based on his experience of three years in prison for car theft, which brought him a Sixshot Award for best single of 2004, shared with rapper Styles P. Other hit singles on the album include “Lonely”, which was actually Bobby Vinton’s old song titled “Mr. Lonely”, which hit the UK charts in 2005, “Belly Dancer (Bananza)”, “Pot Of Gold” and “Ghetto”. “TROUBLE has evolved from the struggles I’ve been through and what I’ve done and still am doing to correct those things,” Akon said on his debut album.
In 2005, Akon gained more popularity after appearing on Young Jeezy’s debut album, “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101,” on the song “Soul Survivor,” which became one of the top five hits on the Billboard Hot 100. In his perhaps best effort, his second year’s album “Konvicted”, released on November 14, 2006, raised his notoriety even higher, making him one of the leading musicians of the time.
His first single “Smack That”, which saw Eminem in rapping, rose to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained on the pole for five consecutive weeks. “I Wanna Love You”, the second single from “Konvicted”, was released in September of that year. In the forefront of the collaboration with Snoop Dogg, this single was at the top of the American charts for two consecutive weeks, earned Akon the number one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop’s second. The first two songs could be revoked thanks to the collaboration, but Akon proved that his solo effort “Don’t Matter” could also reign at number one.
Akon, in fact, reached the highest peak of his career with his nomination for best Rap/Sung collaboration at the 49th annual Grammy Award for “Smack That”. Unfortunately, he lost to Justin Timberlake/T.I. the “My Love” collaboration. While thriving on his solo career, Akon was also known for his collaboration with Gwen Stefani in his hit “The Sweet Escape”.
Before going on tour as a soloist, he participated in Gwen’s Sweet Escape Tour in the first half of 2007. At one point, unfortunately, Akon was heavily criticized after performing a daring ballet with an underage girl during a concert in Tobago. He claimed he had no idea of the age of the girls who manipulated the club, a nightclub that only allowed 18 and over, but he took the “blame” and wrote a song “Sorry, Blame It on Me”, released in August 2007 and shot his music video at the same time.
Since the song was created after “Konvicted” was released on the street, a special edition of the album was released with the inclusion of “Sorry, Blame It on Me”. Entitled “Konvicted (Deluxe Edition)”, the set was released on August 28 of the same year and the song “Rush”, featuring Kardinal Offishall, appeared in the blockbuster “Rush Hour 3” (2007). On June 3, 2007 Akon performed on stage during a concert at the KFEST of WSPK radio station WSPK in Fishkill, N.Y., when somebody between
Discography
2004 – Trouble
2006 – Konvicted
2008 – Freedom
2019 – El Negreeto
2019 – Akonda
