LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Akon
built 206 days ago
An R&B singer originally from Senegal, Akon first came to America when he was seven years old. The son of well-known African percussionist Mor Thiam, he was exposed to lots of music at a young age, learning multiple instruments as a child and then getting into hip-hop. His appreciation for rap music is evident on his self-titled debut album, especially in the overall production. And, unlike most of today's R&B vocalists, Akon eschews the shirtless bravado and bedroom scenarios and instead deals with inner-city strife. This focus, as well as his plaintive voice, led him to collaborate with hip-hop royalty such as Young Jeezy ("Soul Survivor"), Styles P ("Locked Up"ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ) and Eminem ("Smack That"). And while his gritty subject matter appeals to the streets, his hooks are so sweet that they may leave listeners toothless.
Source:
Akon is a Senegalese-American hip hop and R&B singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer. Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That". He is the founder of Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. He is well known for singing hooks and has over 130 guest appearances and 21 Billboard Hot 100 songs to his credit. He is the only artist to ever accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot
Source:
In 2006-2007 Akon has had one of the most successful spans any singer has ever enjoyed with eleven songs in the Billboard Hot 100. Akon's second album, entitled Konvicted, was released on November 14, 2006. Konvicted included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Styles P. Late August 2006, Akon released the single "Smack That" featuring Eminem, from the album. This single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. The music video for "Smack That" was directed by Raymond Garced. "I Wanna Love You", the second single off Konvicted, was released in September 2006.
Source:
Currently, Akon has his own record label, Konvict Muzik. His sophomore album, Konvicted, is scheduled for release on Dec. 12, 2006. In addition to the first single, "Smack That," which features the rapper Eminem, Konvicted is ... expected to include collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Styles P and Konvict Muzik labelmates Brick and Lace.
Source:
Although he was born in St. Louis, Aliaune Thiam aka Akon grew up in Senegal before he and his family (including his father, jazz percussionist Mor Thiam) returned to the United States and settled in New Jersey when he was seven. There he discovered hip-hop for the first time, as well as crime. He was eventually jailed, but he used the time to work on his musical ideas. Upon release, Akon began writing and recording tracks in a home studio. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal, which eventually released Trouble, Akon's debut LP, in June 2004. The album was an interesting hybrid of Akon's raps and silky, West African-styled vocals with East Coast- and Southern-styled beats.
Source:
The Senegalese rapper Akon moved to Jersey City with his percussionist father at the age of seven. This goes a long way to explaining your initial reaction to Akon hits. The man's got one of the most unique voices in hip-hop. At times warm and silky, other times hard and arrhythmic, an Akon track slices through urban radio like an exotic breeze. Plus, listening to the cuts on Akon's debut, Trouble, you can tell that he's lived his stories. And unlike other contemporary rappers, he's not necessarily proud of everything he did.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Akon