What is Akon's net worth?
Aliaune Thiam, more commonly now known as R&B singer Akon, has a net worth of $40 million. Akon is an extremely well-known figure in the music world, transcending the boundaries of hip-hop to become one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. Not only has Akon experienced success as a solo artist but also as an entrepreneurial figure within the music industry, starting two thriving record labels.
Akon is most famous for songs such as "Smack That" and "Locked Up," but fans of many genres often hear Akon's characteristic vocal signature on their favorite songs. In terms of statistics, there aren't many who can match Akon. He has countless songs that have been certified platinum, including four tracks that went three times platinum. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, more people use his songs for ringtones than any other artist in the world. He also is the only solo artist in history to simultaneously occupy the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 on two separate occasions.
Early Life
Akon was born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri. Although Akon was born in the United States, he also has strong roots in Senegal. He spent much of his youth flying between the United States and Senegal, and it wasn't until the age of seven that Akon settled permanently in Newark, New Jersey.
While Akon was still spending half of his time in Senegal, he learned a lot about music from his parents. His mother was a professional dancer, and his father was the famed percussionist Mor Thiam. Over the course of his youth, Akon learned how to play five instruments, including drums and guitar. Settling permanently in the States wasn't easy for Akon, and he had trouble adjusting as a young child. The situation wasn't helped when Akon's family relocated to Atlanta, leaving him and his older brother to finish high school on their own.
The next part of Akon's life is somewhat controversial. The official story is that Akon spent three years behind bars for his involvement in an auto theft organization. However, as later court documents and interviews would reveal, there is no record of Akon actually being incarcerated or even being convicted of a crime. That being said, there are apparently records of Akon being investigated by detectives. When confronted with these inconsistencies, Akon claimed that he was in and out of jail during this time and that if those sentences were added together, they would be equal to about three years.
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Music Career
Whether Akon was in jail or not, he approached the music industry in 2003 feeling determined to make his presence known. He first gained the attention of Devyne Stephens, a man who had been involved in the creation of artists like Usher. Eventually, Akon was signed to Stephens' label and recorded a number of tracks. These tracks were, in turn, brought to the attention of producer "Knobody," who encouraged Akon to produce a debut album and assisted him in the process.
Akon released his debut album, "Trouble," in 2004. It swiftly reached the number 8 spot in the Billboard Top 200 and became a launching pad for Akon's career. "Locked Up" and "Lonely" were two especially successful and popular tracks from this album. The next few years saw Akon collaborating with a number of other artists – most notably with Jeezy in his album "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101."
With his reputation within the music industry established, Akon's second album, "Konvicted," was more successful than his first. This album debuted at the number two spot on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 286,000 units in its first week. This album would feature the legendary track "Smack That" which featured Eminem. Snoop Dogg also featured on the album and contributed to the track "I Wanna Love You." This track would be Akon's first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2008, Akon released his third album, "Freedom." Once again, various artists contributed to the album, including Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne, who collaborated on the track "I'm So Paid" with Akon. During this time, Akon was also acting as an executive producer for various artists such as Flipsyde, helping them to release their albums. Akon also co-wrote Lady Gaga's hit "Just Dance" in 2008.
The next few years saw Akon collaborating with a variety of other artists, including Damien Marley, Gucci Mane, David Guetta, and many others. Although Akon featured on many artists' albums during this time, he did not produce more of his own, leading to a decline in productivity in many fans' eyes. He also announced an album called "Stadium" that never came to fruition. In 2019, Akon ventured into the Latino music world with the album "El Negreeto." He also released another album, "Konnect," that same year. "TT Freak" followed in 2022.
Lady Gaga Connection
In 2004, an NYU sophomore named Stefani Germanotta decided to drop out of school to pursue a music career full-time. She signed a record deal but lost it. By 2007, she was working as a backing singer and songwriter for Streamline Records, an imprint of Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records. One day, when Akon was in a studio struggling to lay down the vocals on some tracks for his second album, Stefani was called in to help by performing a reference vocal. Akon was so impressed that he stopped recording, went straight to Iovine's office and demanded he be allowed to sign the then-unknown singer to his own new record label, Kon Live. Stefani eventually changed her stage name to Lady Gaga. Akon provided vocals on several songs on her debut album and co-wrote her smash hit "Just Dance."
Despite having sold tens of millions of albums of his own, in a 2011 interview, Akon confirmed that he has made ten times more money off Lady Gaga than from any of his own endeavors in the last decade.
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)
Earnings and Business Ventures
Akon grossed an impressive $13 million during 2011. Prior to this, he earned $21 million in 2010 – a period that many consider to be his peak as a solo artist. He also earned $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008.
Akon has been involved in many entrepreneurial ventures since his success. Akon has started a clothing line called Konvict Clothing in 2008. Around the same time, he also launched Aliaune, a brand that offers more high-end clothing.
Akon is also well known for his philanthropic work, particularly in regard to his home nation of Senegal. Akon's most ambitious plan is to create a hyper-city just a few miles away from Senegal's capital. This futuristic city would run completely on Akon's own personal cryptocurrency, Akoin, with all transactions using this monetary system. The government of Senegal has given its full support to Akon in this endeavor, and in 2020, it was reported that plans have been finalized for the new city. He started the Akon Lighting Africa project in 2014, which provides electricity to 15 countries in Africa. Akon also launched his own charity called Konfidence Foundation and has donated to Feeding America and the Anthony Robbins Foundation.
Akon City
"Akon City," a highly ambitious project spearheaded by the renowned singer Akon, is a proposed futuristic city in Senegal. Envisioned as a beacon of innovation and development, Akon City is planned to be built on a 2,000-acre land gifted to Akon by the Senegalese government, located near the capital, Dakar. The concept of Akon City is rooted in Akon's desire to create a transformative space that not only showcases advanced technology and sustainable living but also serves as a hub for African growth and development.
The city's design is inspired by the marvels of Wakanda, the fictional nation featured in Marvel's "Black Panther." It aims to incorporate state-of-the-art technology with a focus on renewable energy, particularly solar power, reflecting Akon's earlier successful initiative, 'Akon Lighting Africa,' which brought solar power to many African countries. The plan includes the creation of hospitals, schools, and other essential infrastructure, all powered by renewable energy. Additionally, the city is expected to have its own cryptocurrency, the "Akoin," intended to fuel the local economy and bridge the gap between Africa and the global economy.
In January 2020 Akon announced he had officially struck a deal with the government of Senegal to set aside the 2,000 acres of land needed for the planned development. According to an Instagram post from Akon, in June 2020, a consulting and engineering company by the name of KE International was awarded a $6 billion contract to build the cryptocurrency-centered city.
Akon City is being touted as a leader in eco-friendly construction and a model for future cities in Africa and beyond. The project has ambitious goals, including improving living standards and providing new economic opportunities in Senegal. Akon envisions this city as a "real-life Wakanda," combining the latest in technology with the rich culture and history of the African continent.
However, the project has not been without controversy. Critics have raised questions about the feasibility and practicality of such an ambitious undertaking. Concerns have been voiced about the transparency of the project's funding, its potential environmental impact, and the implications for local communities. There have been debates over whether Akon City will truly benefit the average Senegalese citizen or if it will predominantly cater to the wealthy and tourists. Additionally, the slow progress on the ground since its announcement has led to skepticism about whether the project will come to fruition as envisioned.
Personal Life
Akon has six children total with three different women, all of with whom he says he has great relationships.
Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa that is dedicated to avoiding the use of blood diamonds while donating profits to local communities.
In 2016, Akon listed his fixer-upper mansion in Atlanta for $2.6 million. A year later, he listed another Atlanta area home for $7 million.
