Akon is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur.
Born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, Akon’s family returned to Dakar, Senegal, when he was young and lived there until he was 7 years old.
He is known for his R&B-style vocals and has collaborated with many other musicians, including Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.
Akon has released several hit albums and has also faced controversies and legal difficulties throughout his career.
Net worth | $60 million |
Profession | Singer, entrepreneur, record producer |
Date of birth | April 16, 1973 |
Nationality | Senegalese-American |
Background and upbringing
Akon, born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, to Mor Thiam, a traditional jazz musician and Kine Thiam, a dancer.
His family moved to Dakar, Senegal, West Africa when he was young and lived there until he was 7 years old before relocating to the United States.
Akon’s upbringing was influenced by his parents’ musical backgrounds, with his father being a well-known jazz percussionist and his mother a dancer.
Growing up in Jersey City, New Jersey, Akon began singing and performing as a teenager and later pursued a career in the music industry.
Despite facing challenges and controversies throughout his career, including legal difficulties and controversies related to his criminal history and behavior on stage, Akon has achieved significant success in the music industry.
He has released hit albums like Trouble and Konvicted, collaborated with various artists like Eminem and Snoop Dogg, and engaged in philanthropic initiatives such as the Konfidence Foundation for underprivileged children in Africa and the Akon Lighting Africa project.
Akon’s net worth
Akon’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million as of March 2024.
He is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur who gained prominence in the music industry with hit singles like Locked Up and Lonely.
Akon’s success stems from his music career, business ventures like his record labels Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution, and investments in various industries.
Additionally, his philanthropic efforts, such as the Akon Lighting Africa initiative, have contributed to his overall brand value and financial success.
Despite fluctuations in reported figures over the years, Akon’s net worth remains substantial due to his diverse endeavors in music, business and philanthropy.
Endorsement deals
Akon has been involved in various endorsement deals and investments. Some of his notable endorsements include Akon Motor Sports, Aliaune Clothing and Apogee.
Additionally, Akon’s marketability as an international music star has contributed to boosting his net worth through endorsements and partnerships with major brands.
However, it’s important to note that Akon, along with other celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, faced fines from the SEC for promoting crypto investments without disclosing they were paid to do so.
This incident highlights the legal implications of not disclosing paid endorsements on social media.
Business ventures
Akon’s business ventures showcase his entrepreneurial spirit and diverse interests.
One of his key projects is Akon City, a $6 billion sustainable smart city being developed in Senegal.
Akon is also behind Akoin, a cryptocurrency project aimed at empowering entrepreneurs in Africa and beyond.
Additionally, he founded Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 to provide solar-powered electricity to African villages.
In the music industry, Akon established Konvict Muzik in 2004 as a record label and Konvict Clothing in 2007 for urban streetwear apparel.
These ventures reflect Akon’s commitment to business diversification and creating impactful projects across various sectors.
Konvict Muzik
Konvict Muzik is a record label founded by R&B singer Akon in 2004.
The label has been home to various artists such as T-Pain, Kat DeLuna, Mali Music, Red Café, Dolla, Ya Boy and Costa Titch.
Known for its distinctive sound of a jail cell clank followed by Akon saying “Konvict” at the beginning of many songs, the label has been instrumental in launching the careers of several artists.
Akon’s success with his debut album led to the establishment of Konvict Muzik, which later signed deals with Columbia Records and Epic Records for new artists under the label.
Notable Nigerian artists like P-Square, Tuface, and Wizkid have also been signed to Konvict Muzik as representatives in Africa.
The label’s impact extends beyond music, showcasing Akon’s influence in shaping the music industry and supporting emerging talent.
Konvict Clothing
Konvict Clothing is a fashion brand founded by Akon in 2007, specializing in urban streetwear apparel for men, women and kids.
The brand has gained popularity for its unique style and has been featured in fashion shows and events.
Konvict Clothing offers a range of products including jackets, vests, and other urban-inspired clothing items that cater to a diverse audience looking for trendy and stylish urban fashion.
The brand’s success lies in its ability to blend Akon’s musical influence with the fashion industry, offering fans and fashion enthusiasts a chance to connect with the brand’s urban aesthetic.
Akon Lighting Africa
Akon Lighting Africa is a project initiated by Akon in 2014 to provide solar-powered electricity to African nations, aiming to address the energy crisis on the continent.
The project began with the installation of solar street lights and small energy systems, expanding rapidly to reach 14 African countries within a year, including Guinea, Senegal and Sierra Leone.
By 2016, Akon Lighting Africa had achieved significant milestones such as installing 100,000 solar-powered street lamps in 480 communities across 16 nations, creating 1,200 solar micro-grids, and generating 5,500 jobs.
The initiative not only illuminated once-dark African villages but also had broader impacts like enabling children to study longer without harmful kerosene lamps and reducing crime rates through improved visibility.
Akon’s vision for the project includes providing solar-powered electricity to 250 million people in Africa and empowering communities with sustainable energy solutions.
Additionally, Akon and his partners established the Solektra Solar Academy to educate young Africans on solar power installation and maintenance, further contributing to skill development and self-sufficiency in the region.
Akoin
Akoin is a cryptocurrency created by Akon to empower entrepreneurs, business owners, and social activists through a marketplace of tools and services.
It aims to connect individuals across Africa and beyond, providing a digital suite of business-building tools and services to unite people and fuel entrepreneurial dreams.
Akoin serves as a common medium of transfer between Africa’s 54 countries, each with its own volatile currency, facilitating engagement with the digital economy using just a mobile phones.
The Akoin ecosystem includes features like the Akoin marketplace for DApp/App-based services, atomic swap technology for seamless currency exchange, and the utilization of Akoin as the central currency in Akon City, a sustainable smart city project in Senegal.
Akon City
Akon City is a $6 billion sustainable smart city project in Senegal led by Akon, aiming to create a futuristic metropolis that serves as a hub for business and tourism.
The city, spanning 2,000 acres, will feature luxury resorts, condos, offices, a hospital, a stadium, and an artificial-intelligence data center. Residents will utilize Akoin, Akon’s cryptocurrency, for various transactions within the city.
The project is designed to be eco-friendly and powered by renewable energy sources like solar power, with a focus on creating jobs for local workers and stimulating the local economy.
Despite its ambitious vision, Akon City has faced challenges such as delays, financial issues and questions regarding community involvement and sustainability.
What philanthropic causes is Akon involved in?
Akon is involved in various philanthropic causes, demonstrating a strong commitment to giving back.
Some of the key philanthropic initiatives he is engaged in include;
Konfidence Foundation: Akon established the Konfidence Foundation, which focuses on providing education, scholarships and jobs to underprivileged individuals in Africa and the United States.
Akon Lighting Africa: In 2014, Akon launched the Akon Lighting Africa project with Samba Bathily.
This initiative aims to provide solar-powered electricity to rural areas in Africa, with a goal of bringing electricity to 600 million people in remote regions of the continent.
Peace One Day: Akon participated in Peace One Day in 2014, supporting efforts to promote peace and nonviolence in conflict-affected regions like Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Akon’s philanthropic endeavors extend beyond these initiatives, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact through various charitable projects and foundations.
Akon’s career
Akon’s career in the music industry spans almost 20 years, during which he achieved commercial success with popular songs like Lonely.
He faced challenges early in his career due to the industry’s focus on specific aspects of his heritage.
Despite this, Akon became a prominent figure in modern world music after the release of his debut single in 2004.
Throughout his career, he has diversified his ventures by establishing his own record label and launching business projects like the Konvict Clothing line.
Akon is also deeply involved in philanthropic initiatives, such as the Konfidence Foundation for underprivileged children in Africa and the Akon Lighting Africa project, which aims to provide solar-powered electricity to rural areas on the continent.
Akon’s recent work includes drawing inspiration from Afrobeats music, a genre that blends African and Western influences.
He has been instrumental in promoting Afrobeats globally and believes in its enduring significance in the music industry.
As he continues to evolve artistically, Akon emphasizes incorporating more African influences into his music and enjoying creative freedom without the pressures of commercial success.