Akon is an entertainer.
Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam ( born April 16 , 1973 ) , better known as Akon ( pronounced [ ˈeɪkɒn ] ) , is an American singer , rapper , songwriter , businessman , record producer and actor of Senegalese descent . He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of `` Locked Up '' , the first single from his debut album Trouble . His second album , Konvicted received three nominations for the Grammy Awards in two categories , Best Contemporary R&B Album for Konvicted album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for `` Smack That '' and `` I Wan na Love You '' . He has worked with numerous performers such as Michael Jackson , Eminem , Snoop Dogg , Whitney Houston , Bone Thugs-N-Harmony , and Gwen Stefani . Konvict Muzik is a record label founded by R&B singer Akon .