Aliaune Damala Badara Akon
Thiam (born April 16, 1973),
professionally known as simply Akon,
is a Senegalese American R&B and
hip hop recording artist, songwriter,
record producer and businessman.
[1] He rose to prominence in 2004
following the release of "Locked
Up", the first single from his debut
album Trouble.
He has since founded two
successful record labels, Konvict
Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. His
second album, "Konvicted" received
three nominations for the Grammy
Awards in two categories, Best
Contemporary R&B Album for
"Konvicted" album and Best Rap/
Sung Collaboration for "Smack
That" and "I Wanna Love You".
He is the first solo artist to hold
both the number one and two spots
simultaneously on the Billboard Hot
100 charts twice.[2] Akon has had
four songs certified as 3x platinum,
three songs certified as 2x
platinum, more than ten songs
certified as 1x platinum and more
than ten songs certified as gold in
digital sales. Akon has sung songs in
other languages including Spanish
and Hindi. He was listed by the
Guinness Book of World Records as
the #1 selling artists for master
ringtones in the world.
Akon often provides vocals as a
featured artist and is currently
credited with over 300 guest
appearances and more than 35
Billboard Hot 100 songs. He has
worked with numerous performers
such as Michael Jackson, Eminem,
Snoop Dogg, Whitney Houston, Bone
Thugs-N-Harmony, Gwen Stefani
and many more artists. He has had
five Grammy Awards nominations
and has produced many hits for
artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby
O'Donis, Kardinal Offishall, Leona
Lewis, T-Pain.
Forbes ranked Akon 80th (Power
Rank) in Forbes Celebrity 100; in
2010[3] and 5th in 40 Most
Powerful Celebrities in Africa list;
in 2011.[4] Billboard ranked Akon
No. 6 on the list of Top Digital
Songs Artists of the decade.
Akon was born in St. Louis, and
spent much of his childhood in the
West African country Senegal,
which he describes as his
"hometown." The child of a dancer
mother and a percussionist father,
Mor Thiam, Akon learned to play
five instruments, including drums
and guitar and djembe.[6] At age 7,
he moved with his family to Union
City, New Jersey,[7] splitting his
time between the United States
and Senegal until settling in
Newark, New Jersey.[6] Growing up
in New Jersey, Akon had
difficulties getting along with other
children. When he and his older
brother reached high school, his
parents left them on their own in
Jersey City and moved the rest of
the family to Atlanta, Georgia.[8]
Akon has stated in interviews that
his full name is Aliaune Damala Akon
Thiam and that as a Muslim, he has
never drank alcohol or smoked.[9]
although there is some ambiguity
and debate about Akon's legal name
and birth date. Akon is usually
credited as Aliaune Thiam.[10][11]
In addition to the longer form,
Amshi
Akon's full name has been reported
both as Aliaune Badara Thiam and
Alioune Badara Thiam[12] and the
former was used on an official
document issues against the rapper
by the county of Dutchess, New
York.[13]
In regards to his birth date, Akon
is very protective of it, which is the
reason many media outlets have
reported incorrect dates. However,
legal documents released by The
Smoking Gun list Akon's name as
Aliaune Damala Thiam and his date
of birth as April 16, 1973.[14]

We wish Akon a happy birthday here on Nairaland