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Akon
Born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (although he prefers to simply use Aliaune Thiam), Akon was born in America but spent a good part of his childhood in Africa. He discovered hip-hop when his family moved to Jersey. Akon's first song, âOperations of Natureâ, was recorded when he was fifteen.
His subsequent early works were written while he was incarcerated for armed robbery and drug trafficking, and were recorded soon after he was released. When SRC/Universal got a hold of those tapes, they immediately released their tracks as Akon's debut album âTroubleâ (2004). Many of its singles - âLocked Upâ, âLonelyâ, âBelly Dancer (Bananza)â, âPot of Goldâ and âGhettoâ - hit the airwaves with a perfect splash. Following his album, Akon recorded some more hit singles like âLonelyâ, and collaborations with Savage and Young Jeezy.
Akon's second album âKonvictedâ was released in 2006, with the single âSmack Thatâ featuring Eminem. âSmack Thatâ was a certified hit, reaching number two in the charts and staying there for five weeks, not to mention earning Akon a Grammy nomination. Akon's next two singles from the same album âI Wanna Love Youâ and âDon't Matterâ both hit number one. The album itself debuted at number two, and became double platinum in a matter of weeks. The same year, Akon set up a new record label â Kon Live Distribution.
In 2006, Akon recorded and produced a track titled âThe Sweet Escapeâ with Gwen Stefani and by March 2007, the song had topped the World Chart. He is said to be currently working on a collaborative album with Young Jeezy, as well as Whitney Houston's upcoming record. Apart from that, Akon is to be featured in several tracks from hip-hop albums to be released this year.
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