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Akon
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Akon is known as an R&B singer as well as a rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Senegal until he was about 7 years old. His family went back and forth from Senegal to the U.S. over several years, and by the time they moved to New Jersey, Akon was already 15 and spoke 3 different languages including, English, French, and Wolof. Akon first stumbled upon rap music as a teenager in high school when he attended Snyder High School in New Jersey. When he was only 15, he recorded his first song, “Operations of Nature.” Shortly afterward, Akon was arrested for armed robbery and drug distribution charges. Being in prison did not prevent Akon from working on his music career... if anything it gave him more time to perfect it. When Akon was released he continued to write and record songs at his home, and was eventually discovered by SRC/Universal, who liked his distinct vocals and Southern beats.
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Akon was born in Senegal and moved with his family to the US at the age of seven. His father, legendary percussionist and jazz musician Mor Thiam, raised Akon to believe in and understand the power and influence that music could have. It was this deep rooted love and passion for music, evolving from filial admiration, which allowed him to turn his life around, despite his trouble as a youth residing in New Jersey. AKON began playing several different percussion instruments and eventually embraced hip-hop music and culture, despite his initial disdain for the genre. "When I first heard hip-hop I thought it was rubbish because I didn't understand the concept of people talking over music," AKON recalls, "But as I started growing up, living a little and listening to the lyrics, I realized that I was going through a lot of stuff these rappers were talking about and I could relate."
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Akon told the audience that he was holding a "contest" with the winner getting a trip to Africa. He said that although they had held the contest in London, and Atlanta, that Trinidad’s contest would be his favorite. Akon managed to get seven girls onstage, and to compete they had to dance like whores. The winner had to compete with Akon, and one got molested by him.
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Akon has confirmed that a reality television show is in the works. It will be called "My Brother's Keeper" and the point is that Akon's two nearly identical brothers will go around in Atlanta posing as him fooling people into thinking that it is in fact Akon. They will try to get VIP treatment, girls and free things. Akon has claimed that people have mistaken his brothers for him many times in Atlanta which is what the show is based on.[22]
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Akon, 25, has been in jail for a total of five years over the course of his young life for armed robbery and drug trafficking. He says that his time incarcerated made him what he is today.
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In February 2007, Akon launched his clothing line, Konvict Clothing. It features urban streetwear including denim jeans, hoodies, t-shirts and hats. Aliaune is the upscale version, or high-end line, for males and females, which includes blazers, denim jeans and other items.[24]
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Akon