“Smack That” has been greatly popular and has made its own record. In October, “Smack That” broke records on the Hot 100 by achieving the largest climb on the charts in the last 48 years. It peaked at No. 7 after an 88-spot jump from No. 95. Akon's latest hit, I Wanna Love You, features Snoop Dogg.
From Discogs:Born: 16 April 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. Akon was born to Senegalese parents and raised in a musical setting. He was taught to play several instruments including the djembe. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, so that he would not have to go through the immigration process, but he lived in Dakar, Senegal until the age of 7, split time between the US and Senegal until he was 15, then he moved permanently to Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up?, the first single from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination of the single "Smack That". He has since found two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. He is known as one of the most successful and versatile R&B singers of the 21st century, grossing over US$30 million a year according to Forbes. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 300 guest appearances and 40 Billboard Hot 100 songs. He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has had 6 Grammy Awards nominations and has produced many hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donis and Leona Lewis. Son of Senegalese jazz drummer and percussionist Mor Thiam.
From Lastfm:Alioune Badara Akon Thiam, Born April 16, 1977 in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, known simply as Akon, is a Senegalese-American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist.
He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single Smack That featuring Eminem. His latest album, "Freedom", was released in 2008. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 32 Billboard Hot 100 songs.
He is the first solo artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has also founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution and has a clothing label, Konvict clothing
Akon also recently converted to Islam. He has many charities of his own and is a religious Muslim.
Akon's father is the Senagalese drummer Mor Thiam.
From Wikipedia:Akon (born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam), (pronounced /?e?k?n/), is a Senegalese-American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist.
He is known as one of the most successful and versatile R&B singers of the 21st century, grossing over 30 million dollars a year according to Forbes. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first single from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination of the single "Smack That". He has since founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution.
Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 300 guest appearances and 40 Billboard Hot 100 songs. He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has had 6 Grammy Awards nominations and has produced many hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donis and Leona Lewis. Lady Gaga and T-Pain are two artists who were given their chance at fame by Akon.