Akon

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised between Senegal and the United States, Akon was exposed to music at an early age, influenced by his father, Mor Thiam, a jazz percussionist. His passion for music grew during his teenage years, when he became affiliated with the Refugee Camp, the extended musical collective of the Fugees. In 1996, he recorded his early single “Operations of Nature,” which briefly landed him a deal with Elektra Records. However, after the track failed to gain traction, the deal dissolved—a moment Akon described as a personal low, where he nearly gave up on music.

His turning point came through a friendship with Devyne Stephens, music mogul and president of Upfront Megatainment, who began mentoring Akon and developing his talent. Eventually, Akon’s song “Lonely” caught the attention of SRC Records’ A&R executive Jerome “Knobody” Foster and CEO Steve Rifkind, leading to a record deal that launched Akon’s career.

Akon’s debut album Trouble (2004) was driven by the breakout single “Locked Up” (featuring Styles P), quickly followed by the smash hit “Lonely,” which blended soulful R&B with digital pop stylings. His sophomore album, Konvicted (2006), was an even bigger success, earning him Grammy nominations and producing chart-toppers like “Smack That” (featuring Eminem), “I Wanna Love You” (featuring Snoop Dogg), and “Don’t Matter.” In 2007, he made history as the first solo artist to simultaneously hold the top two positions on the Billboard Hot 100 twice.

His third studio album, Freedom (2008), continued his string of mainstream hits with songs like “Right Now (Na Na Na),” “I’m So Paid” (featuring Lil Wayne and Jeezy), and “Beautiful.” In 2019, Akon expanded into global sounds with El Negreeto, a reggaeton-influenced project, and Akonda, which embraced Afrobeats, showcasing his musical versatility despite limited commercial success.

In addition to his solo work, Akon has appeared on more than 20 Billboard Hot 100 hits as a featured artist, contributing to tracks by Gwen Stefani, David Guetta, and many others. He has also earned acclaim as a songwriter and producer, collaborating with artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Snoop Dogg, and Lionel Richie.

Beyond music, Akon is a pioneering businessman and philanthropist. He founded Konvict Muzik in 2004 and KonLive Distribution in 2007, helping to launch the careers of artists such as Lady Gaga, T-Pain, French Montana, and Kardinal Offishall. In 2014, he launched Akon Lighting Africa, a non-profit initiative bringing solar power to millions across Africa. He is also spearheading the development of Akon City, a futuristic, cryptocurrency-powered city in Senegal slated for completion by 2028.

His accolades include being listed by Guinness World Records as the best-selling artist for master ringtones (11 million sold by 2007), ranked #6 on Billboard’s Top Digital Songs Artists of the Decade, and named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Celebrities in 2010. A trailblazer in both the entertainment industry and global humanitarianism, Akon has redefined what it means to be a music mogul with a mission.