Aliuane Badara Thiam, better known as Akon is a Senegalese-American hip hop and R&B singer-songwriter, and record producer. Akon reached commercial success in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That.” He is also the founder of Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution.

Akon was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the son of the Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam. He then lived between Senegal and America until he was 15, and moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. He recorded his first song, "Operations of Nature," at the age of fifteen. Universal released Akon's debut LP Trouble in June 2004. The album is a hybrid of Akon's silky, West African-styled vocals mixed with East Coast and Southern beats.

Trouble launched the hit singles "Locked Up" (inspired by his experience in jail) and "Lonely," as well as "Belly Dancer (Bananza)," "Pot Of Gold," and "Ghetto.” "Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the U.S. and the top five in the UK.
The single "Lonely" reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Australia, the UK and Germany. In 2005, Akon gained more popularity after being featured on Young Jeezy's debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, on the song "Soul Survivor."

Akon's second album, Konvicted, was released on November 14, 2006. Konvicted included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Styles P. Late August 2006, Akon released the single "Smack That" featuring Eminem, from the album. This single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks. "I Wanna Love You,” the second single off Konvicted, featuring Snop Dogg, was released in September 2006. "I Wanna Love You" topped the U.S. charts for two consecutive weeks. Konvicted debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 286,000 copies in its first week. Currently it has sold more than 4 million worldwide.

In December 2006, Akon's "Smack That" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Justin Timberlake and T.I.'s My Love.

“Acquitted” is Akon’s third studio album. The album was scheduled for release during May 2008, but has now been rescheduled for release sometime in August.