Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known professionally as Akon ( AY-kawn), is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, businessman and philanthropist.
Two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles: “I Wanna Love You” (2006) and “Don't Matter” (2007).
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In the Record§
Akon spent his high school years in Jersey City, attending Snyder High School and Dickinson High School, after the rest of his family moved to Atlanta.
As a solo artist he reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Wanna Love You” (2006) and “Don't Matter” (2007).
An influential figure in world music, he rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" (featuring Styles P).
Styled in hip-hop, it preceded the release of his debut studio album Trouble (2004), which became his commercial breakthrough and spawned the R&B-styled follow-up, "Lonely", the following year.
Sources§
- Wikipedia — Akon — link
- Archive research: The Jersey City Sound, 2026
- Billboard chart history (Hot 100 / Billboard 200)
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