Akon

Akon is the Senegalese R&B singer and producer who is the son of acclaimed West African djembe drum player Mor Thiam.  Akon beat a path to stardom with his 2004 album, Trouble, including the hit single "Locked Up," which highlighted his own run-ins with the law (claims of crime life that critics have challenged as exaggerations).  As a songwriter, he's worked with music's biggest stars, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Eminem.  Akon's sold nearly 10 million albums worldwide and signed notable R&B artists like T-Pain and pop star Lady Gaga to his label, Konvict.