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Akon: I will be the same person; I can't really see myself changing. I am just happy people can relate to my music like I do.
Akon:
I grew up [in Senegal] but I was born in St. Louis. My mom and pop made
sure we were all born in the States, that way we wouldn't have any
immigration problems. We came here to go to school. Then in the summer
we would go back to Senegal. Eventually, after high school, I ended up
staying.
Akon:
As a kid, growin’ up, I can’t front, it was hard. I was just coming in
from Africa. I was mad black. Dark skin wasn’t in style. My accent was
crazy. I was getting teased and fighting, but you know, kids are gonna
be kids anyway. But they didn’t give me the impression that I didn’t
get along with them. I ended up making crazy friends once they got to
know me. I just think it’s a lack of understanding. People stereotype
you before they get to know you as a person.
Akon:
Growing up, I was always surrounded by musicians. After I got into that
trouble, got locked up and when I got out I couldn't work a regular 9
to 5 like everybody else because of being locked up. The only jobs
available were minimum wage. With today's economy, it's hard to survive
on minimum wage, so I had to find another way to keep a lifestyle and
live day to day, so I realized I was going to be an artist and give it
a shot.
Akon:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When I was stealing
cars I used to think, "If I stole your car it's because you did
something bad and it's coming back to you. If I can't get this car,
it's because God doesn't want me to have it because this is a good
person." If I wanted to steal a car and took it, no problem, I figured
it was because this person who owned it had done wrong and God was
letting me steal their car as retribution. That's absolutely ludicrous!
It's ridiculous. [Laughs] But that's how I thought at the time.
Akon:
I love Phil Collins. "In The Air Tonight" is an incredible song. I hope
to work with Phil. He's got an amazing vocal tone. His vocal tone makes
me cry.
Akon:
The language barrier [was the toughest transition when coming to the
US]. Learning to speak English. Nobody in the U.S. really speaks
French. Well, not in New Jersey!
Akon:
[The cops] play my song "Locked Up" in their cars when they pick kids
up and are taking them to jail. The police told me that the song is the
police department's anthem. It doesn't get realer than that.
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Posted: 23:59, 2007-Dec-22 |
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At the 2007 American Music Awards, Akon was chosen as the Favorite Male Artist for Soul/R&B category.
At the 2007 Teen Choice Awards, Akon got the top vote for the category "Choice Music: Breakout Artist Male".
Akon performed at Giants Stadium on July 7th, 2007 as part of the Live Earth concert.
Akon's actual full name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam.
In February 2007, Akon launched his clothing line, Konvict Clothing.
Akon is 5'11" tall.
Akon song "Bananza (Belly dancer)" reached the top 5 in the UK.
Akon appears along with Sean Paul on R. Kelly's "Slow wind Remix".
Chilli, from TLC, recently signed with Konvict to release her debut album executive produced by Missy Elliot. Chilli and Akon are currently working on 4 new tracks for the soon to be released album.
Akon has his own record label, Konvict Music.
Akon gained more popularity after being featured in the song "Soul Survivor" with rapper Young Jeezy.
Akon's album, "Trouble", climbed to #1 in the UK in April, 2005.
Akon song "Lonely" reached the top 10 on the U.S. charts, and was #1 in both Australia and the UK.
In 2005, Akon released the single "Lonely", which samples Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely".
Akon released his debut album "Trouble" in 2004.
"Locked Up" was written after Akon was jailed for three years for armed robbery.
Akon song "Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the US and the top 5 in the UK.
Akon song "Ghetto" became a radio hit when it was remixed to include verses from legendary rappers 2Pac (Tupac Shakur).
Akon grew up in Dakar, Senegal, for the first seven years of his life.
Akon's road manager Robert "Screw" Montanez was shot to death following a dispute in New Jersey in December 2005.
Akon is a Muslim, and the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam.
Akon single "Locked Up" features Styles P
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Posted: 23:55, 2007-Dec-22 |
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The mere act of surviving on a day to day basis is the foundation from
which a true artist builds his craft. Multi-talented newcomer AKON is
no exception to this rule. His dynamic debut album, TROUBLE, a
collection of stirring songs, creatively reflects the ups and downs of
the singer/songwriter/producer's life experiences. A crafty blend of
soulful hip-hop, TROUBLE is AKON's vibrant first time tour-de-force.
"TROUBLE evolved from the struggles I went through and what I did and
am still doing to correct those things," offers AKON, who has had his
fair share of adolescent problems with both the legal and school
system, as is reflected in his redemption song "Trouble Nobody." "I've
got a habit of writing about everything I go through," he explains,
"and this album gives a glimpse of where I am now."
To understand where AKON is right now is just half the equation. The
other half lies in where he came from: this young artist possesses a
unique history. A Senegalese African, AKON moved to the United States
when he was seven. His family is headed by legendary percussionist and
jazz musician Mor Thiam, whose expertise for playing the Djembe, a
traditional African drum, has been touted as "unrivaled." Being brought
up in an environment that treasures the true artistic value of
musicianship and revels in the mastering of instrumental skill has had
a momentous affect on AKON.
It was AKON's 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."
Once hip-hop took over his life, AKON's musical development exploded
and he began channeling his energy into writing and producing his own
music. Songs such as "Show Out" display how much hip-hop has influenced
him. Over the sparsely yet hard hitting groove, "Don't tempt me/'Cuz
I'm close to the edge/I'm trying not to lose my head," ring the lyrics
that cleverly integrates original school lyrics. At the same time, the
song pays homage to hip-hop pioneers all while maintaining its own
identity.
Meanwhile, his first single "Bananza (Belly Dance)" exhibits another
side of the artist. On this song AKON puts forth a feel-good vibe.
Singing over a seductive and sensual beat, "Bananza (Belly Dance)," is
one of AKON's most irresistible tracks. The song integrates a unique up
tempo dance beat with a distinct wind instrumentation floating in the
background guaranteed to improve every listener's mood. The reason for
this, AKON says, "There are a lot of negative things going on today."
"We need to party and just have fun," he continues, "'Bananza…' is a
party record. You just go in the club, party and enjoy those beautiful
women."
However, life does not solely revolve around beautiful women and
leisure time and AKON is well aware of this. On the somber, soulful
"Ghetto" and the meditative, impressive "Journey," AKON gives listeners
an in-depth look into a harsher world, one that is just as gripping as
it is chilling. But rather than sensationalize his own drama, AKON
transmits, to his audience, the feeling of being a part of his inner
circle.
AKON's personal appeal and ability to reach a listener is a part of his
whole package: a package that includes, most importantly, his
distinctive vocals and a relaxed singing style. It is as though he is
speaking to you as he sings in a very intimate manner. "When I sing the
sound comes from the mood that I am in. These records are coming
straight from the heart," AKON divulges.
Genuine and honest, AKON's music is a step in a new direction: a
trajectory that will lead us on a delightfully fulfilling path. Says
AKON, "When I'm on the mic, I'm just giving the listener a part of me."
Be prepared to receive it.
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Posted: 23:55, 2007-Dec-22 |
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How Akon went from car thief to inmate to hip-hop's top R&B singer
If you've listened to twenty minutes of hip-hop radio in the last
year, you've heard Akon singing the chorus to a song or three. He's
got a voice that cuts through the noise: a smooth, slightly nasal
instrument that's one part reggae rootsman, one part Muslim call to
prayer, one part R. Kelly. Born Aliaune Thiam in Dakar, Senegal, in
1981, Akon moved with his family to Jersey City, New Jersey, at age
seven. The road took some bad turns from there: "Locked Up," his
Top Ten single from 2004, was inspired by time served in a Georgia
state penitentiary for a grand theft auto charge. Now, Akon is
hip-hop's preeminent R&B singer, the man who delivered the
hooks to Young Jeezy's "Soul Survivor" and Obie Trice's "Snitch,"
among many other tunes. We spoke to him as he maneuvered his new
orange Lamborghini (a gift to himself after he finished his new
album, Konvicted) through downtown Atlanta.
Have you gotten pulled over by the cops
yet?
When I first got this car I'd get pulled over all the time, but
the Atlanta police recognized me and let me off with a warning if I
gave them an autograph. Now the entire police department knows this
car belongs to me and I don't get pulled over so much. You know
what's crazy? They play my song "Locked Up" in their cars when they
pick kids up and are taking them to jail. The police told me that
the song is the police department's anthem. It doesn't get realer
than that.
No way! You have quite a history with cars. What was the
stolen car you were driving when you got caught?
I was driving a BMW 325, on my way to the chop shop. That's the
slowest car in the whole fleet, the BMW 325. I'd been in high-speed
pursuit before and always got away, but this time I didn't because
the car was too slow. I didn't even want that car, it was a favor
to someone else. And I wound up getting locked up for three years.
I started the car-stealing hustle when I lived in Jersey, but then
I brought it down to Atlanta because the entertainers were here,
the athletes were here, the musicians were here, the cars that
people wanted were here. I was very good at what I did.
You moved to the United States from Senegal when you
were seven. What was the most difficult part of that
transition?
The language barrier. Learning to speak English. Nobody in the
U.S. really speaks French. Well, not in New Jersey!
Your song "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg is a hit
now. Did you smoke with Snoop?
[Laughs] I'll tell you what. Snoop did a concert recently in
Lagos, Nigeria. He called me up, like, "Help man, I need to get me
some weed!" And I had to explain to him that in Nigeria they don't
smoke weed like he's used to. In Africa the weed comes straight
from the tree, then you put it on your roof to dry it before you
smoke. What Snoop is used to is that American weed where they put
chemicals in it, suddenly it's growing purple hairs and you take
one puff and your head comes off. In Africa it's truly a mellow
thing.
Who's a singer you admire that might people might not
expect you to?
Phil Collins. I love Phil Collins. "In The Air Tonight" is an
incredible song. I hope to work with Phil. He's got an amazing
vocal tone. His vocal tone makes me cry.
In an interview you said you believe in polygamy as part
of your Muslim belief system. But what's the difference between
that and just being a player who likes being with different
women?
[Laughs] I'm a player, that's how it is! But every woman
in America's complaint about her man is always the same: other
women. The situation is always, "I found numbers in his pocket," or
"I know he's seeing someone else." As men, that's our situation,
we're natural breeders. If women took the time to understand our
behavior, it wouldn't be such a problem.
Is there a Muslim or Senegalese proverb that you choose
to live by?
It's a universal proverb: Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you. When I was stealing cars I used to think, "If I stole
your car it's because you did something bad and it's coming back to
you. If I can't get this car, it's because God doesn't want me to
have it because this is a good person." If I wanted to steal a car
and took it, no problem, I figured it was because this person who
owned it had done wrong and God was letting me steal their car as
retribution. That's absolutely ludicrous! It's ridiculous.
[Laughs] But that's how I thought at the time.
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Posted: 23:53, 2007-Dec-22 |
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release title: Operations of Nature (added on 2007-05-03 00:00:00)
style: raptracks: 4 / 23.56 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Operations of Nature (radio edit)
2. Akon -- Operations of Nature (LP version)
3. Akon -- Operations of Nature (Edited remix)
4. Akon -- Operations of Nature (explicit remix)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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style: raptracks: 2 / 11.08 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Ghetto (remix featuring Ali B and Yes-R)
2. Akon -- Ghetto (remix featuring Yes-R and Ali B Moroccan edit)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Ghetto (added on 2005-01-18 00:00:00)
style: hip-hoptracks: 4 / 19.86 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Ghetto (acapella)
2. Akon -- Ghetto (clean)
3. Akon -- Ghetto (instrumental)
4. Akon -- Ghetto (main)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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style: raptracks: 3 / 16.15 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Ghetto (remix featuring Ali B and Yes-R)
2. Akon -- Lonely (live)
3. Akon -- Locked Up (live)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Trouble (added on 2006-03-13 00:00:00)
style: raptracks: 23 / 116.91 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Locked Up
2. Akon -- Trouble Nobody
3. Akon -- Belly Dancer (Bananza)
4. Akon -- Gangsta
5. Akon -- Ghetto
6. Akon -- Pot of Gold
7. Akon -- Show out
8. Akon -- Lonely
9. Akon -- When the Times Right
10. Akon -- Journey
11. Akon -- Don't Let Up
12. Akon -- I Won't
13. Akon -- Locked Up (remix) (featuring Styles P)
14. Akon -- Belly Dancer (Bananza) (remix featuring Kardinal Offishall)
15. Akon -- Gunshot (Fiesta Riddim)
16. Akon -- Senegal
17. P-Money -- Keep on Callin (featuring Akon)
18. Sean Biggs -- Never Gonna Get it (featuring Topic and Akon)
19. Miri Ben-Ari -- Miss Melody (featuring Akon)
20. Akon and Kardinal Offishall -- Kill the Dance (Got Something for Ya)
21. The Beatnuts -- Find us (in the Back of the Club) (featuring Akon)
22. Baby Bash -- Baby I'm Back (featuring Akon)
23. Grady Babyz -- Yey (Konvict Muzik Exclusive)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Konvicted (added on 2007-09-19 00:00:00)
style: hip-hoptracks: 12 / 65.37 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Blown Away
2. Akon -- Don't Matter
3. Akon -- Gangsta BOP
4. Akon -- I Can't Wait
5. Akon -- I Wanna Love You
6. Akon -- Mama Africa
7. Akon -- Never Took the Time
8. Akon -- Once in A While
9. Akon -- Shake Down
10. Akon -- Smack that
11. Akon -- The Rain
12. Akon -- Tired of Runnin
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Belly Dancer (Bananza) (added on 2005-08-19 00:00:00)
style: hip-hoptracks: 3 / 18.27 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Belly Dancer (explicit)
2. Akon -- Trouble Nobody (album version)
3. Akon -- Belly Dancer (instrumental)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Konvicted (added on 2006-10-31 00:00:00)
style: r&btracks: 13 / 67.87 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Shake Down
2. Akon -- Blown Away (featuring Styles P)
3. Akon -- Smack that (featuring Eminem)
4. Akon -- I Wanna Love You (featuring Snoop Dogg)
5. Akon -- The Rain
6. Akon -- Never Took the Time
7. Akon -- Mama Africa
8. Akon -- I Can't Wait
9. Akon -- Gangsta BOP
10. Akon -- Tired of Runnin
11. Akon -- Once in A While
12. Akon -- Don't Matter
13. Akon -- Gringo (bonus track)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Lonely (added on 2005-04-25 00:00:00)
style: r&btracks: 3 / 17.88 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Lonely (clean)
2. Akon -- Lonely (main)
3. Akon -- Lonely (instrumental)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Don't Matter (added on 2007-01-15 00:00:00)
style: hip-hoptracks: 3 / 17.98 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Don't Matter (radio edit)
2. Akon -- Don't Matter (main)
3. Akon -- Don't Matter (instrumental)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Pot of Gold (added on 2006-04-08 00:00:00)
style: poptracks: 2 / 9.17 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Pot of Gold (UK radio edit)
2. Akon -- Belly Dancer (Bananza remix)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Sorry Blame it on Me (added on 2007-10-07 00:00:00)
style: r&btracks: 2 / 11.47 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Sorry Blame it on Me
2. Akon -- Don't Matter (BBC radio 1s live Lounge)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Ghetto (added on 2006-06-07 00:00:00)
style: reggaetracks: 2 / 9.18 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Ghetto (Reggae mix)
2. Akon -- Ghetto (remix)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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style: r&btracks: 15 / 76.08 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Shake Down
2. Akon -- Blown Away (featuring Styles P)
3. Akon -- Smack that (featuring Eminem)
4. Akon -- I Wanna Love You (featuring Snoop Dogg)
5. Akon -- The Rain
6. Akon -- Never Took the Time
7. Akon -- Mama Africa
8. Akon -- I Can't Wait
9. Akon -- Gangsta BOP
10. Akon -- Tired of Runnin
11. Akon -- Once in A While
12. Akon -- Don't Matter
13. Akon -- Sorry Blame it on Me
14. Akon -- Rush (featuring Kardinal Offishall)
15. Akon -- Don't Matter (Calypso remix)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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style: r&btracks: 24 / 86.27 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- You Don't Want
2. Akon -- Locked Up featuring Styles P
3. Akon -- Blown Away featuring Styles P
4. Akon -- Watch out featuring Styles P Fat Joe and Rick Ross
5. Akon -- Look in My Eyes featuring Young Blass
6. Akon -- Keep on Calling
7. Akon -- Ghetto featuring 2Pac and B. I. G
8. Akon -- Ghetto Soldier featuring Papoose
9. Akon -- Believe it featuring Styles P
10. Akon -- Gunshot
11. Akon -- Slow Wind featuring R Kelly (remix)
12. Akon -- Girls featuring Beenie Man
13. Akon -- U Got Me High featuring T-Pain
14. Akon -- I Wanna Luv U featuring Snoop Dogg
15. Akon -- Smack that featuring Eminem
16. Akon -- Ghetto Story featuring Cham and Alicia Keys (remix)
17. Akon -- Moonshine
18. Akon -- Cross that Line featuring Rick Ross
19. Akon -- Gangsta BOP
20. Akon -- So Fly
21. Akon -- Ride out featuring Tru-Life
22. Akon -- Snitch featuring Obie Trice
23. Akon -- Me Myself and I
24. Akon -- Mr Lonely (bonus track)
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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release title: Unplugged (added on 2007-08-02 00:00:00)
style: raptracks: 21 / 86.86 Mb
--- track list ---
1. Akon -- Don't Matter
2. Akon -- Bartender featuring T-Pain
3. Akon -- I Tried featuring Bone Thugs
4. Akon -- Smack that featuring Eminem
5. Akon -- Keep on Calling featuring P. Money
6. Akon -- Blown Away featuring Styles P
7. Akon -- I Wanna Fuck You featuring Snoop Dogg
8. Akon -- Look at Me Now featuring Obie Trice
9. Akon -- Lonely
10. Akon -- The Sweet Escape featuring Gwen Stefani
11. Akon -- Gunshot
12. Akon -- Locked Up
13. Akon -- Belly Dancer
14. Akon -- Ridin Overseas featuring Chamillionaire
15. Akon -- Someone featuring Keith Sweat
16. Akon -- No Sunshine
17. Akon -- Ghetto
18. Akon -- You Don't Want
19. Akon -- Cross that featuring Rick Ross
20. Akon -- Don't Matter (Reggaeton) featuring Cruzito and Alexis Y Fido
21. Akon -- I Wanna Love You (remix) featuring Cynthia Don Omar Tego Calderon
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Link |
Posted: 10:34, 2007-Dec-3 |
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