Akon is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, actor, and businessman. His fortune is estimated at $80 million.
Aliaune Thiam's early years
Akon (real name - Aliaune Thiam) was born in St. Louis (Missouri) April 16, 1973 in an African family. His father, Mor Thaim, was a traditional jazz musician. Mother, Kine Thaim, was a dancer and singer. Thanks to his genes, the artist played instruments such as guitar, percussion and djembe from an early age.
Parents moved to their hometown of Dakar (Senegal, West Africa) after Akon was born and lived there for 7 years. The couple returned to the United States with their family and settled in New Jersey.
When he became a teenager, he entered high school. His parents left him with his older brother in Jersey City. And they moved to Atlanta (Georgia) with the rest of the family.
Akon was a mischievous teenager who did everything against school rules. He didn't get along with the other kids and got into bad company.
But thanks to the musical influence of the Akon family, he developed a love of music from an early age. Despite the problems in his youth, thanks to his love for music, he became on the true path. He began singing and performing as a teenager.
He later attended Clark University in Atlanta, Georgia. He dropped out right after the first semester. After leaving the university, he switched completely to the music business. He started making home recordings and in the meantime became friends with Wyclef Jahn (Fugees). In 2003, Akon signed a record deal.
Akon's musical career
The rapper's musical career began in the 2000s. He focused on writing his own lyrics and demo recordings. He met with Upfront Megatainment President Devina Steven. Then they began to cooperate, his music became very popular.
Stephen was also responsible for the early careers of musicians such as Usher. One of his songs recorded with Steven made it to SRC/Universal Records. He signed a recording contract with the label in 2003. In 2004, the artist released his debut album Trouble.
The album led to several successful singles including Locked Up, Lonely and Belly Dancer. It peaked at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, selling 24 copies in its first week of release. The album was later certified platinum in the US with over 1,6 million sales.
Akon's second and third album
The second album Konvicted (2006) became a hit. Released under the label KonLive Distribution (created under Universal Music Group), the album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 286 copies in its first week.
Nearly a year after the original release, the RIAA released the album. It has sold over 3 million copies in the US alone.
Single Smack That (feat. Eminem) debuted at number 2 on the Hot 100. I Wanna Love You (feat. Snoop Dogg) peaked at number 1 on the Hot 100. Its third single, Don't Care, peaked at number one on the Hot 100, becoming its second consecutive number-one single.
The third studio album Freedom was released on December 2, 2008. It debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 with 110 copies sold in its first week. It later sold 600 million copies in the US, earning a platinum award. Freedom label released the artist's singles: Right Now (Na Na Na) and Beautiful (with Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall).
Akon's teenage and early adulthood was very tumultuous. But reliable sources reported that the singer may have exaggerated past criminal activities. Akon once said that he spent 3 years behind bars for stealing a car. But in 1998, he was in jail for several months for having a stolen car.
Other musical endeavors
Prior to founding KonLive Distribution, Akon was previously a founding member of another record label, Konvict Muzik. Under these labels, Akon has produced and written hits for Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, T-Pain, Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis and Pitbull. Young Berg, Kardinal Offishall and Nigerian artists (P-Square, Davido, Wiz Kid) are signed to his label.
Akon has also worked with popular legend Michael Jackson. The joint composition Hold My Hand is considered the last work of Jackson before his death.
The musician received 5 Grammy nominations and won The World Music Awards.
Business other than music
Akon owns two clothing lines - Konvict clothing and the upscale version of Aliaune. The lines include jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts with jackets for the latest luxury line only. Akon also owns a diamond mine in South Africa.
Akon Lighting Africa
The American singer from Senegal has focused on the commercial project Akon Lighting Africa. It was created in 2014 together with the American Senegalese Thione Niang. A project aimed at empowering African rural communities received funding from China Jiangsu International.
As of 2016, 100 solar street lamps and 1200 solar microgrids have been installed as part of the project. And 5500 indirect jobs have been created, mostly for young people, in 15 African countries, including Senegal, Benin, Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Niger.
Akon was not heard in the music scene. And in September 2016, Akon was named creative director of tech start-up Royole.
Income and investments
Forbes estimates that Akon earned $66 million for his musical efforts (from 2008 to 2011). In 2008 - $12 million; in 2009 - $20 million. And in 2010 - $ 21 million and in 2011 - 13 million from Tione Niangom. However, music aside, his lucrative business ventures netted him $80 million.
He has two beautiful houses, both of which are located in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the houses is worth $1,65 million and the other is worth $2,685 million.
Family, wife, children and brothers
Although Akon managed to keep his family out of the spotlight. There are some things he couldn't hide forever. For a practicing Muslim (it is allowed to have more than one wife), he has one wife whom he is married to. Her name is Tomeka Thiam. However, there are two other women with whom he was romantically involved.
In total, the man has 6 children from three different women. The children's names are Aliwan, Mohammed, Javor, Tyler, Alena and Arma.
Akon has two brothers - Omar and Abu. Of the two brothers, the musician is closest to the younger (Abu Thiam). Abu is the CEO of Bu Vision and also the co-CEO of Konvict Muzik. In his youth, before he became famous in the music field, Akon stole cars. And Abu was selling weed for survival.
In addition, there was a misconception that Akon and Abu were twins. Both brothers are just very similar to each other. At some point, "fans" speculated that Akon might be getting bookings to perform at multiple venues at the same time. He will perform on one, and his brother on the other. Abu also has a daughter, Khadija, and investments in Africa.
