# Akon

> Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1973)

**Wikidata**: [Q32849](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q32849)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/akon

## Summary
Akon is a Senegalese-American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer born in 1973. He is also recognized as a businessperson and philanthropist who founded the record labels Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution. His professional career began in 1996, and he operates across genres including contemporary R&B, hip-hop, and dance-pop.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 16, 1973
- **Nationality:** Senegal, United States
- **Education:** Clark Atlanta University
- **Known for:** Founding Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution; work as a singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer
- **Employer(s):** Konvict Muzik (Founder), KonLive Distribution (Founder), Atlantic Records, Republic Records, Universal Motown Republic Group, BMG Rights Management
- **Field(s):** Music (Contemporary R&B, Hip-hop, Dance-pop, Europop), Business

## Contributions
- **Konvict Muzik:** Founded the record label in 2005, serving as a platform for music production and artist management.
- **KonLive Distribution:** Established the American record label in 2006 to expand distribution capabilities.
- **Career Longevity:** Maintained a professional work period beginning in 1996, contributing to the music industry for over two decades.
- **Industry Affiliations:** Collaborated with major music organizations including Atlantic Records, Republic Records, and the Universal Motown Republic Group.

## FAQs
**What is Akon's birth name and aliases?**
Akon's birth name is Alioune Thiam. He has also used the extended alias Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, as well as the stage names A-Kon and El Negreeto.

**Which record labels did Akon found?**
Akon founded Konvict Muzik in 2005 and KonLive Distribution in 2006. Both are American record labels that contribute to his business operations in the music industry.

**Where did Akon attend university?**
He attended Clark Atlanta University, a university located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

**What genres of music is Akon associated with?**
His musical work spans contemporary R&B, hip-hop, dance-pop, and Europop.

**What is Akon's citizenship status?**
Akon holds citizenship in both the United States and Senegal, identifying as Senegalese-American.

## Why They Matter
Akon matters as a multifaceted figure in the entertainment industry who successfully bridges the roles of artist and entrepreneur. By founding his own labels, Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution, he established independent avenues for music production and distribution, influencing the business structure of the industry. His dual citizenship in the United States and Senegal allows him to operate across distinct cultural markets, contributing to the global exchange of musical styles. His classification as a philanthropist alongside his entertainment career highlights a broader scope of influence beyond commercial music. With a career spanning from 1996 to the present, his longevity in the rapidly changing music landscape underscores his adaptability and enduring relevance.

## Notable For
- Founding the record label Konvict Muzik in 2005.
- Establishing the record label KonLive Distribution in 2006.
- Maintaining a professional music career starting in 1996.
- Holding citizenship in both the United States and Senegal.
- Operating across multiple music genres including contemporary R&B, hip-hop, dance-pop, and Europop.
- Affiliations with major record labels such as Atlantic Records and Republic Records.
- Using the full alias Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam.

## Body

### Identity and Background
Akon, whose birth name is Alioune Thiam, was born on April 16, 1973. He is known by a variety of names, including the lengthy alias Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, as well as A-Kon and El Negreeto. His nationality is Senegalese-American, holding citizenship in both Senegal and the United States. This dual heritage places him within the cultural contexts of West Africa and North America.

### Education
Akon pursued higher education at Clark Atlanta University. This institution, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is part of the educational background that preceded his professional entry into the music industry.

### Career and Occupations
Akon's professional work period began in 1996. He is defined by several distinct occupations within the creative and business sectors. Primarily, he is a singer, performing for listening audiences. He is also a rapper, engaging in rhythmic rhyming speech, and a songwriter, responsible for writing the words or music to songs. Beyond performance, he acts as a record producer, overseeing and managing the recording of artists' music. His roles extend to businessperson and philanthropist, indicating involvement in revenue-generating activities and charitable work.

### Musical Genres
The musical output associated with Akon spans several popular genres. He is linked to contemporary R&B, a genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip-hop, and electronic music. His work also encompasses hip-hop, characterized as rhythmic music accompanied by rhyming speech. Additionally, he is associated with dance-pop, which is dance-oriented pop music, and Europop, a pop music genre originating in the late 1960s.

### Business Ventures and Record Labels
Akon has demonstrated significant entrepreneurial activity within the music industry. He founded Konvict Muzik, a record label established in 2005. This label is headquartered in the United States. Following this, he founded KonLive Distribution in 2006, another American record label. These ventures serve as his primary employers and platforms for his business operations.

In addition to his own ventures, Akon has been affiliated with established major record labels. These include Atlantic Records, an American label founded in 1947, and Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group founded in 1995. He has also been connected to the Universal Motown Republic Group, an umbrella label founded by Universal Music Group that operated from 1999 to 2011, and BMG Rights Management, an international music company headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

### Digital Presence
Akon maintains a structured digital presence across various platforms. His official website is https://www.akon.com/. On social media, he is active on Twitter under the handle "Akon" and on Instagram as "akon". He operates YouTube channels, including those with the IDs UCX2v47KsDKqajrEYFV7GbBg and UC6IBMCQ6-d7p41KHxOsq4RA. His presence is also cataloged on numerous music databases and streaming services, utilizing identifiers such as MusicBrainz (1138a764-2212-4d0a-b02d-0dc14df91e08) and Spotify ID (Akon-musician).

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/famous-muslim-celebrities/22/)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. MusicBrainz
5. BnF authorities
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOWhnRkwM8)
9. BBC Things
10. [Source](https://www.yourtango.com/2019327629/who-are-akon-wives-polygamy)
11. The Guardian
12. [Source](https://www.billboard.com/pro/bu-thiam-kanye-chris-brown-label-interview/)
13. Quora
14. Google Knowledge Graph
15. The Movie Database