Akon

A Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, Akon is one of the finest singers the world has experienced to date. He has sold over 35 million records worldwide. Born in Missouri to a percussionist father, and a dancer mother, Akon was introduced to a lot of musical instruments since his childhood and developed a strong desire to be a singer. He moved to New Jersey with his family when he was seven years old. He began his music career in the early 1990s, and released his debut album, "Trouble," in 2004. The album was a commercial success, and spawned the hit singles "Locked Up" and "Smack That." All of his released albums have been immensely successful, which led him to win a Grammy Award and a BET Award. In addition to his music career, Akon is also a successful businessman. He has his own record label, Konvict Music, and his own clothing line, Konvict Clothing. All these collectively earn him a huge amount of fortune, along with the earnings from the endorsement deals. As of 2023, Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam has a net worth of $80 million. Akon is known for his catchy melodies and his unique blend of hip-hop and R&B.

What is Akon’s Net Worth?

Akon, a Senegalese-American singer, has won the world with his mesmerizing voice that sold over 35 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. However, not only a singer, but he is also a songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. For a long time now, Akon has been involved in a number of business ventures. He founded the record label Konvict Music in 1999, and the clothing line Konvict Clothing in 2004. He has also invested in real estate and technology startups. Throughout his career, he has also signed a number of endorsement deals which earn him quite a million. As of 2023, Akon has a net worth of $80 million with a salary of $13.47 million per year, along with several properties. His wealth can be attributed to his successful music career, diverse business ventures, and philanthropic activities.

How were Akon’s Early Life, Marriage, and Children?

Born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam was brought up in a musical environment, thanks to his parents. Mor Thiam, his father, is a percussionist from Senegal, and his mother, Kine Gueye Thiam, is a dancer. Thus since his childhood, Akon was introduced to several instruments and learned to play drums, guitar, djembe, etc. His family moved to New Jersey when he was 7 years old. He attended high school in Jersey City, where he began rapping and singing. After graduating from high school, he attended Clark Atlanta University for a semester before dropping out to pursue a career in music. However, not every time, his life was so smooth. At one point in his career, Akon was homeless, and to feed himself and his family, he joined the lucrative business of stealing cars. He joined a Stolen car ring and became a car thief. However, in the later period, he left the gang, and totally focused on his career in the world of music.

Akon married Tomeka Thiam, a hairstylist, in 2006. They have four children together. He publicly declared that he is a proud polygamist, and has a relationship with Rozina Negusei too, with whom he has 2 sons named Akonic Thiam, born in 2008, and Jackson Thiam, born in 2012. However, Akon has not married her, rather Rozina is his girlfriend.

What is Akon’s claim to fame?

Setting up his own record label in 1998, Akon is a phenomenal singer who can make anyone happy with his magical voice. Debuting in the American music industry in 2004, Akon today is regarded as one of the few gifted singers. He not only shines in the music world winning a Grammy, but also is a songwriter, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist. He is best known for his catchy melodies, smooth vocals, and hip-hop beats. He has had many timeless songs. Akon has a unique sound that has appealed to a wide range of listeners. He is also a successful businessman, with his own record label, Konvict Muzik, and his own line of clothing, Konvict Clothing. Akon has sold over 35 million records worldwide and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Eminem, Lady Gaga, and Usher.

What is Akon’s history with cars?

Pick any celebrity from any corner of the world, and you will find only a few of them are not interested in cars. Akon belongs to the majority and is an enthusiast. However, unlike others, Akon has a long and complicated history with cars. He has been both a car thief and a car lover. In his early days, Akon was involved in a car theft ring. He would steal cars and then sell them for parts or to chop shops. He eventually got caught and served time in prison. After being released from prison, Akon focused on music and became a successful musician. He also developed a love for luxury cars. He has owned a number of expensive cars over the years, including a Lamborghini Murcielago, a Dartz Prombron, and a Ferrari 458 Italia, along with others. Akon is a fan of customizing cars, like Travis Barker. He has had his cars fitted with custom wheels, body kits, and sound systems.

How big is Akon’s car collection?

Just as amazing singer Akon is, so is his possession of automobile pinnacles. He is an enthusiast, who not only praises the beauty of the engines but also loves to customize the car. As of 2023, Akon owns 8 exotic cars, which not only burn the tracks down but also can be anywhere anytime, without breaking a single component. However, among his 8 masterpieces, we have included the top 5. Have a glance below.

• Dartz Prombron: Not many people know about this beast. Well, Dartz Prombron is one of the leading vehicles from Dartz Motorz, one of the oldest armored vehicle manufacturers in the world, since 1869. Prombron is not only a fully secured armored vehicle but also offers quite a luxurious interior. Priced at $1.1 million, the Dartz Prombron packs a V8 under the hood, making 552 HP and 479 lb-ft of torque. Although an armored SUV, it can run at a top speed of 194 mph, while clocking 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Dartz Prombron can withstand .50 caliber rounds and even rocket-propelled grenades and comes with a range of security systems.
• Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster: Murcielago is one of the best Lamborghini vehicles the world ever experienced. The Only issue with Murcielago is its limited stock, which got exhausted a long time ago, and now is officially discontinued. In production from 2006 to 2010, the Murcielago Roadster is powered by a 6.5L V12, mated to a 6-speed manual, the Murcielago Roadster makes 632 HP and 487 lb-ft of torque while sprinting to 60 in just 3.4 seconds.
• Spyker C8 Aileron: Another supercar under Akon’s possession, the Spyker C8 Aileron is one of the finest offerings from the Dutch automaker, Spyker. What makes the C8 Aileron so special is its availability. The Spyker C8 Aileron was in production in 2000, and only 50 units were made available, making it one of the rarest cars on earth.

Coming with a mid-engine setup, the Spyker C8 Aileron is mechanized with a 4.2L V8, coupled with the enthusiasts’ favorite manual transmission. The C8 Aileron crunches 400 HP and 354 lb-ft of torque while clocking a top speed of 186 mph.

• Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was a joint venture between Mercedes Benz, and McLaren when in 2000 Daimler bought 40% of McLaren. However, similar to other cars on the list, the SLR McLaren also is a limited edition, which is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine making 617 and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds while clocking a top speed of 207
• Ferrari 458 Italia: One of his most prized possessions of Akon, the Ferrari 458 Italia is one hell of a supercar that with its 4.5-L V8, and all-body aerodynamics, makes 562 HP and 398 lb-ft of torque while getting adorned by the finest materials on the interior. The configured 7-speed DCT works flawlessly, and this Ferrari supercar can hit a top speed of 202 mph, without any lag.

How many houses does Akon own?

Throughout his career, Akon earned an impressive fortune, and to mark that, his ownership of four homes should be enough.

1. Akon owns a 14,994-square-foot mansion in Atlanta, Georgia, that he bought in 2007 for $2.685 million. The prime attraction of this mansion is its all-white interior, except the modular kitchen and in-house pool. Painted in off-white on the exterior, this mansion comprises 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 half-bathrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a basketball court, two guesthouses, and a glass-enclosed sunroom.
2. Akon seems to be in love with white, and his icy white N. Fulton home is a true testament to his likes. Constructed in 2014, this all-white mansion features a piano room, movie theater, and recording studio, along with 6 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and in-house and outdoor pools. Bought for a whopping $7 million, this house is laid on 4.6 acres of land in a gated community.
3. Along with the above-prized properties, he also owns a beachfront mansion in Miami, Florida, bought in 2017 for $5.8 million, and another one in Dakar, Senegal, that he bought in 2015 for an undisclosed price.

What are the notable events in Akon’s life?

Born on 16 April 1973, in Missouri, Akon is one of those blessed singers who just creates magic with their voice, more like Taylor Swift. He's one of those who doesn't need autotune, rather autotune needs him. Since the inception of his career, Akon has so many memorable tales worth sharing, however, we can only include the top ones. Check those out below.

1. In 1998, Akon started his own record label, Konvict Muzik.
2. 2004 marked his debut album, Trouble, which was a commercial success & spawned the hit singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely."
3. 2 years later, he released his second album, Konvicted compromising the hit singles "I Wanna Love You" and "Smack That”, featuring Eminem and Snoop Dog.
4. In 2007, Akon won the 51st Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Smack That."
5. In 2012, Akon launched his own line of apparel, named Konvict Clothing, along with its high-end subsidiary, called Aliaune Clothing.
6. In '14, Akon opened a solar-powered school in Senegal and set up his foundation Akon Lighting Africa to enlighten the lives of 600 million people residing in rural Africa.
7. In 2018, Akon announced the setting up of a city in Senegal, named Akon City, which will run on solar energy and will use a cryptocurrency named AKoin for transactions.

What are Akon’s Top Performances?

Known for his catchy melodies, smooth vocals, and hip-hop beats, Akon today is a global singer, delivering timeless music from Hollywood to Nollywood to Bollywood. He has had many successful songs over the years, but some of his top performances include

1. "I Wanna Love You" featuring Snoop Dogg: Released in 2006, "I Wanna Love You" was a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is a seductive and romantic song that has been praised for its catchy melody and Akon and Snoop Dogg's smooth vocals.
2. "Don't Matter": Again number one in 2007, "Don't Matter", compared to the earlier one, is a more upbeat song energizing you to dance. It was particularly popular for its catchy chorus and Akon's distinctive vocals.
3. "Right Now (Na Na Na)": Achieving 2nd place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2008, this superhit song is a club banger with a catchy melody and danceable beat.
4. "Smack That" featuring Eminem: Collaboration with the rap god Eminem can take anything to the top. The same happened with "Smack That" too, getting featured on the number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2006.
5. "Lonely ": A slow and emotional piece of music, "Lonely" reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2005, portraying loneliness and longing which pierced the hearts of the listeners better than Cupid.
6. "Chammak Challo": Akon's only song in Bollywood, "Chammak Challo" was an instant hit, mostly due to the upbeat voice of Akon and the charm the song delivered. Even the dead would dance.

How many awards has Akon won?

Since his solo debut album, Trouble, released on June 29, 2004, Akon has won numerous awards in various categories from different organizations. Winning these many awards reflects his versatile talent and significant contributions to the world of music.

1. 2006 ECHO Awards in the National/International Hit of the Year & International Hip-Hop/R&B Artist category
2. 2007 Billboard Award in the Artist of the Year category
3. 2007 World Music Award in the World's Best Selling Internet Artist, World's Best Selling African Artist, World's Best Selling R&B Artist category
4. 2008 World Music Award in the World's Best-Selling African Artist category and BET Hip Hop Award in the Producer of the Year category
5. 2012 Channel O Music Video Award in the Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring Video for Chop My Money song category
6. 2012 Global Indian Music Award in the Best Song category for Chammak Challo in Ra.One.

What brands has Akon endorsed?

Over the years, Akon has endorsed a number of brands, and launched a few companies, which has been earning him a significant amount of money throughout his career.

1. Pepsi: Akon was one of the celebrities who participated in the Pepsi Refresh Project, a campaign that aimed to fund ideas that could make a positive impact on the world.
2. Samsung: Akon collaborated with Samsung to launch the Solar Powered Mobile Phone in Africa, a device that could be charged by sunlight, and promoted the Galaxy S9 appearing in a Samsung commercial.
3. Konvict & Aliaune Clothing: In 2007, Akon launched his own clothing line called Konvict Clothing, which featured urban streetwear and accessories. The brand name was inspired by Akon’s second album, Konvict. Aliaune Clothing is the upscale edition of the brand, featuring a high-end product line for both genders.
4. TAG Heuer: Akon endorsed TAG Heuer in 2010, as part of the brand’s “What are you made of?” campaign. He appeared in a print ad and a video, wearing a TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch and showcasing his musical talent and humanitarian work.
5. Akon Motor Sports: In 2023, Akon founded Akon Motor Sports, a car racing company, which competes in NASCAR and other racing events. Akon signed on Joe Henderson III, an African-American driver, as the first member of his team.
6. Apogee: Akon endorsed Apogee in 2010, as part of his collaboration with the company to use their Symphony I/O audio interface for his music production. Akon praised the Apogee product for its sound quality and transparency.

What are Akon’s charitable contributions?

Akon, the Senegalese-American hip-hop singer-songwriter and record producer, is not only an amazing singer but also a great human being. He has made significant charitable contributions through various initiatives.

1. Konfidence Foundation: Akon and his mother founded this organization in 2007. This charity is dedicated to empowering youth in Senegal and the United States with a goal to unite the nations to build Africa of Tomorrow and empower the people of these nations.
2. Akon Lighting Africa: Today's Africa is much more improved compared to a decade ago. Millions of people were in darkness. Being the son of Africa, Akon couldn't stay silent, and thus in 2014, he set up the foundation named Akon Lighting Africa with the aim to pull the people out of darkness, and light up their lives with electricity. His foundation to date provided electricity to 600 million people residing in rural Africa. He also opened a solar academy for the success of this mission.
3. Peace One Day: Violence among groups has always been a hot issue in Congo that not only destroyed a lot of opportunities but also a huge number of families. To prevent that, in 2014, Akon participated in Peace One Day, promoting nonviolence and a global ceasefire in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
4. Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes: This organization is committed to making significant contributions in the areas of research, clinical care, and education to patients and families with diabetes. Impressed by their motive, Akon donated a significant amount to this organization which supports the center’s mission to provide comprehensive care and education that empowers patients and families to effectively manage diabetes.
5. Along with the mentioned, he has also donated and supported
   1. Boys & Girls Clubs of America
   2. Clothes Off Our Back
   3. Hip-Hop Summit Action Network
   4. NoVo Foundation

What are Akon’s best quotes?

1. "Two Things that Define SUCCESS In LIFE: - The Way You Manage when You Have Nothing & Way You Behave when You Have Everything".
2. "Whatever obstacle comes your way, you gotta be prepared to jump over it! And I think that's what separates the legends from the regular artists. It's all in how you manage that success, and how you deal with the controversy when it actually comes".
3. "Who is the best rapper ever? I'll probably have to say, Eminem. I would definitely say, Eminem. He came from a whole other culture, literally. Mastered it, outsold everybody and he did every kind of record imaginable. He could take any topic and make a song out of it. I haven't seen any artist do that yet".
4. "As long as you're giving up quality records and you're makin' hit records, people are always gonna want to hear a hit and they'll always want to be attached to something that's doin' great".
5. "What I remember the most really was just running wild there. Barefooted, swimming in dirty lakes, selling fruit, picking mango trees, hoping not to get caught because they don't take kindly to thieves in Africa".

Akon vs. David Guetta

While both Akon and David Guetta are top-of-the-line pop singers in the world, Akon has a deep, soulful voice with an upbeat motion, David Guetta is more into electronic dance music and is a DJ by profession. Akon is widely known for his catchy melodies and lyrics that often deal with love, loss, and redemption. Akon is more traditional, while Guetta is more experimental. Akon's voice is more powerful and expressive, while Guetta's voice is more robotic and electronic. However, both artists are talented vocalists who have made significant contributions to the music industry.

As of 2023, Akon has a net worth of $80 million along with a range of properties, supercars, and quite a big heart for his people in Africa, for whom he raised $1 billion to enlighten their lives. On the other hand, David Guetta has a net worth of $120 million, and similar to Akon, he also has quite a lined-up properties such as a penthouse in Miami. David Guetta has his own record label too, similar to Akon.

What’s Next for Akon?

Currently working on his fourth studio album, Akonic, which is expected to be released in early 2023, Akon has a lot of upcoming projects. The album will incorporate EDM, which is a genre that Akon has been experimenting with in recent years. Along with that, Akon is also planning to go on a global tour in support of Akonic. The tour will start in Australia in early 2023 and then head to Africa, Europe, and the United States.