Akon
Akon (whose real name is Aliaune Badara Akon Thiam) is a famous R&B singer, producer, and composer. His first song was «Operations of Nature». Later, the teenager had problems with the law – he went to jail for an armed robbery and drugs sale and stayed for three years there. After Akon was at large, he started to record songs in the home studio. Some tracks found their way to SRC Records/Universal record company. Akon released his debut album Trouble in 2004. Most of the songs, included into the album, were recorded during Akon’s staying in the jail. The debut turned to be successful, and several songs became real hits – «Ghetto», «Locked Up», «Belly Dancer (Bananza)». Obviously, the brightest song was «Lonely» that took the tops of hit parades in Australia, England, and Germany. In 2006, the already popular singer released his second album titled Konvicted. Such stars as Eminem and Snoop Dogg helped to create this album. The first single was «Smack That» performed together with Eminem. Then the artist recorded a single «I Wanna Love You» (featuring Snoop Dogg), which became Akon first creation that took the first place on Billboard Hot 100. In December 2006, the single «Smack That» was nominated for Grammy. The third studio album was Freedom (2008). The singles «Right Now» (Na Na Na), «I'm So Paid» (featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy), «Beautiful», «We Don't Care» were released. One of the most successful joint works of Akon was a song «Sexy Bitch» recorded together with David Guetta that reached charts’ tops in many countries and became the world hit. The fourth album Stadium is being prepared for releasing. In September 2010, the title single of the coming album «Angel» was released.
In addition to his musical career, Akon actively collaborates with other popular artists. For example, he helped to create Gwen Stefani’s single «The Sweet Escape» (nominated for Grammy), included into the self-titled album. In 2007, Akon together with Michael Jackson recorded remix of «Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'», and the duet «Hold My Hand» – one of 10 songs, which was added to Michael Jackson’s afterlife album Michael.
Such artists as Flo Rida, Leona Lewis, New Kids on the Block, Whitney Houston are also in the list of the successful joint works.
