Akon was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is 51 Years Old. He grew up in a Senegalese family and spent time in both the U.S. and Senegal. This influenced his love for music.
His mix of R&B, hip-hop, and African beats made him stand out. He became famous in the early 2000s with hits like Locked Up and Lonely. Over the years, he has worked with big names like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Jackson.
Akon is more than just a singer—he is also a smart businessman. He started his record label, Konvict Muzik, and launched Akon Lighting Africa, a project that brings electricity to African communities. These ventures have helped grow his wealth.
Akon has built a career that blends music, business, and charity. Keep reading to learn more about his wiki, wife, family, education, career, and net worth.
Wiki
| Full Name | Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam |
|---|---|
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Famous As | Singer |
| Nick Name | Akon |
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1973 |
| Age | 51 Years Old |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Hometown | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Country | United States |
| Mother Tongue | English |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Religion | Islam |
| Food Habits | Non-vegetarian |
| Educational Qualification | Not Known |
| School Name | William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City |
| College/University | Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia |
| Debut | Album: Trouble |
Family
Akon’s father, Mor Thiam, is a talented drummer, cultural historian, and entertainment consultant. His mother, Kine Gueye Thiam, was a dancer. He has a brother, Bu Thiam, who has worked in the music industry, and a sister, Khady Thiam, who is also involved in business and entertainment.
| Father Name | Mor Thiam (drummer, cultural historian, entertainment consultant) |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Kine Gueye Thiam (dancer) |
| Brother Name | Bu Thiam |
| Sister Name | Khady Thiam |
Physical Appearance
Akon stands at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs around 78 kg (171 lbs). He has black hair and black eyes. His information about body measurements is yet to be updated.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 178 cm in meters – 1.78 m in feet inches – 5′ 10″ |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 78 kg in pounds – 171 lbs |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Relationship Status
Akon is married to Tomeka Thiam, who is known as his main wife. While there are rumors that he has multiple wives, Akon has never publicly confirmed this. He prefers to keep his personal life private and away from the spotlight.
Akon and Tomeka Thiam have been together for nearly 24 years. They have two children together, a son, Egypt Daoud Dean, and a daughter, Aliaune Thiam Jr. Apart from them, Akon has four more children from other relationships, making him a father of six in total.
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Tomeka Thiam |
| Children | – Alioune Thiam Jr. – Jahvor Thiam – Tyler Thiam – Alioune Thiam III – Egypt Daoud Dean (Akon’s son with his wife, Tomeka Thiam) – Aliaune Thiam Jr. (Akon’s daughter with his wife, Tomeka Thiam) |
Net Worth & Salary
Akon’s net worth is estimated to be $85 million, with an annual income of around $5 million from singing and brand endorsements.
| Net Worth in USD (Approx.) | $85 Million |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹736 Crore |
| Car & Bike Collection | Porsche Panamera, Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Spyker C8 Aileron, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, Dartz Prombron |
| Income Source | Singing, Brand Endorsement |
Akon Career
Akon’s musical journey started when he became part of the Refugee Camp, an extended music group of the Fugees. In 1996, he recorded Operations of Nature, which landed him a deal with Elektra Records.
However, the song did not perform well, and he lost his contract. This setback made him question his music career, but he kept pushing forward.
Getting Noticed and Signing with a Label
Akon’s talent caught the attention of music mogul Devyne Stephens, who mentored him and helped him shape his career. His songs were later discovered by Universal’s SRC Records, and A&R executive Jerome “Knobody” Foster saw potential in him, especially after hearing the song Lonely. This led to a record deal and marked the beginning of his mainstream success.
2004: The Rise with Trouble
Akon’s first album, Trouble, was released in 2004. It featured hit singles like Locked Up, Lonely, Belly Dancer (Bananza), and Ghetto. His song Locked Up became a huge success, reaching number 8 in the US and number 5 in the UK. His style was a mix of West African melodies with hip-hop beats, making him a fresh voice in the industry.
2006: Konvicted and International Fame
His second album, Konvicted, came out in 2006 and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album was an instant hit and sold over one million copies within six weeks. Songs like Smack That featuring Eminem and I Wanna Love You featuring Snoop Dogg became global chart-toppers.
In 2007, Akon scored his first solo number-one hit with Don’t Matter, further solidifying his place in the industry. By the end of the year, Konvicted was certified triple platinum in the US.
2008: Freedom and Expanding His Reach
In 2008, Akon released his third album, Freedom, which included popular tracks like Right Now (Na Na Na), Beautiful, and I’m So Paid. The album was certified platinum and showcased a more pop-influenced sound.
During this time, Akon also started collaborating with top artists like Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, and David Guetta. He worked on The Sweet Escape with Gwen Stefani and co-wrote Just Dance for Lady Gaga, which became a massive hit.
2010-2018: Business Moves and Hiatus from Music
Akon shifted his focus towards business ventures and philanthropy. He launched Konvict Clothing, a clothing line featuring urban fashion. He also founded Akon Lighting Africa, an initiative that aimed to provide electricity to African communities.
While he released some singles during this period, his highly anticipated album Stadium was repeatedly delayed. He collaborated with artists like Pitbull, T-Pain, and Matisyahu, but his solo releases slowed down.
2019-Present: Return to Music and New Projects
In 2019, Akon made a comeback with Akonik Label Group, a project focused on releasing multiple albums across different genres. He released El Negreeto, his first Latin album, featuring artists like Anuel AA and Becky G. This was followed by Akonda, which had more of an Afrobeat sound.
He also announced plans for Konnect, a hip-hop and R&B album, but it was never officially released. Despite this, Akon has continued to work on music and business projects, keeping his brand alive in multiple industries.
Television and Film Work
Akon has explored television and film beyond his music career. He once planned a reality show called My Brother’s Keeper, where his two lookalike brothers would pretend to be him in Atlanta, testing how easily they could fool people into giving them VIP treatment. The project was announced, but it is unclear if it was ever produced.
In 2006, he announced a biographical movie titled Illegal Alien, which was said to be based on his life. Actor Mekhi Phifer was rumored to play Akon in the film, but there have been no updates on its release.
Akon also worked on “Cocaine Cowboys”, a movie about Jon Roberts, a key pilot for the Medellín Cartel. However, there is little information about its final production.
He has made several TV appearances, including entering the Big Brother house in the Philippines in 2007 and appearing on WWE Raw in 2008.
One of his most notable contributions to film was in Bollywood. He collaborated with Vishal-Shekhar to create the song “Chammak Challo” for the 2011 Bollywood film Ra.One, which became a huge hit in India.
In 2012, Akon made his acting debut in the Nigerian-American film Black November. Later, in 2014, he starred alongside Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody in the action film American Heist.
Awards & Recognitions
Akon, the Senegalese-American singer and producer, has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. Here’s a summary of some of his notable accolades:
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2007 | American Music | Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist | Won |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Smack That” with Eminem) | Nominated |
| 2008 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“I Wanna Love You” with Snoop Dogg) | Nominated |
| Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“The Sweet Escape” with Gwen Stefani) | Nominated | ||
| Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group (“Bartender” with T-Pain) | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | World Music Awards | Best Selling R&B Male Artist | Won |
| Best Selling African Artist | Won | ||
| Best Selling Internet Artist | Won |
Controversies
Akon has faced a few controversies throughout his career, from on-stage incidents to legal disputes. Some led to backlash, while others sparked debates over ethics and censorship. Despite these challenges, he continued to grow as an artist and entrepreneur.
1. Trinidad Nightclub Incident (2007)
In April 2007, Akon faced backlash for a controversial on-stage act with 15-year-old Danah Alleyne at Zen Nightclub, Trinidad and Tobago, despite its 21+ age restriction. A simulated sexual dance was filmed and uploaded online, later airing on CCN TV6, sparking outrage.
Verizon Wireless removed Akon’s ringtones and withdrew sponsorship from Gwen Stefani’s tour, where he was the opening act. Universal Music Group (UMG) only ordered the video’s removal from YouTube but took no further action.
| Incident | Date | Response | Public Reaction |
| Simulated sexual act with a minor at Zen Nightclub, Trinidad | April 2007 | Verizon removed ringtones & sponsorship, UMG ordered video removal | Widespread criticism from media and conservative commentators |
2. YouTube Copyright Dispute (2007)
After the Trinidad nightclub incident, commentators Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O’Reilly accused Akon of “degrading women.” Malkin uploaded a video critique on YouTube, but Universal Music Group (UMG) issued a DMCA takedown notice, sparking a legal debate over fair use.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) defended Malkin, and in May 2007, UMG reversed the takedown, restoring the video.
| Incident | Date | Response | Public Reaction |
| UMG removed a YouTube video criticizing Akon | 2007 | Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) defended Malkin’s right to post the video | The legal debate over copyright misuse and fair use |
3. Sri Lanka Visa Ban (2010)
In 2010, Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka protested Akon’s concert over his “Sexy Chick” music video, which featured a Buddha statue. Accused of disrespecting Buddhism, he was denied a visa, banning his performance. Akon later apologized, saying he had not noticed the statue.
| Incident | Date | Response | Public Reaction |
| The music video Sexy Chick featured a Buddha statue, sparking protests | 2010 | The Sri Lankan Government denied Akon a visa | Outrage from Buddhist groups, accusations of disrespect |
Social Media Handles
Akon Songs Lyrics
4 Interesting Facts About Akon
- Akon speaks English, Wolof, and French.
- He invested in a diamond mine in South Africa.
- Akon established KonLive Distribution under Interscope Records.
- Through Akon Lighting Africa, he aims to bring electricity to millions of homes in Africa.
FAQs
What is Akon’s height?
Akon is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
What is the age of Akon?
Akon is 51 Years Old.
What is the net worth of singer Akon?
Akon’s net worth is estimated to be $85 million.
How many kids does Akon have?
Akon has six children.
What is Akon Muslim’s name?
Akon’s full Muslim name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam.