"Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the U.S. It spawned the hit singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", as well as "Belly Dancer (Bananza)", "Pot Of Gold", and "Ghetto." Akon allegedly served a three-year jail sentence for grand theft auto, an experience that supposedly inspired his "Locked Up.
Most of Akon's songs begin with the sound of the clank of a jail cell with him uttering the word "Convict".Īkon's solo debut album, Trouble was released on June 29, 2004. The album is a hybrid of Akon's silky, West African-styled vocals mixed with East Coast and Southern beats. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal, which released Akon's debut LP Trouble in June 2004. Akon began writing and recording tracks in his home studio. He recorded his first song, "Operations of Nature", at the age of fifteen. He then spent split time between Senegal and America until he was 15, and then permanently moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. He is the son of the Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam. before I lie to you, I'd rather say nothing." According to the Smoking Gun article, "By all indications, he was born April 16, 1973." When asked his age during an interview with VIBE, Akon reportedly responded, "The only thing I hide is my age. Legal documents released by The Smoking Gun list his name as Aliaune Damala Thiam and date of birth as or. Sources such as the AP have indicated he was born in 1973. In addition, some media institutions have incorrectly reported that he was born in 1981. However, claims that this middle name has never been independently verified. Some sources have written his name as Aliaune Badara Thiam or Alioune Badara Thiam. Other sources say his given name is Aliaune Thiam.
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The full name of Akon is, Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, as announced by himself.
Akon's unique blend of West African-style vocals and hip-hop lyricism eventually caught the ears of executives at Universal Records. When he was released he immediately began recording his music and sending out demo tapes. During Akon’s alleged time in jail, he began to understand his music abilities and developed an appreciation for his musical background. As the son of famed jazz musician Mor Thiam, Akon was raised in a musical setting and taught to play several instruments.