He runs an organization named ‘Konfidence’ for underprivileged children and also owns a diamond mine in South Africa. "Diamonds are always going to be selling, people are always going to get married, black people will always want to shine and bling-bling," he smiles. He has also taken UK rapper Sway under his wing and reckons that he could blow-up in the US "with the right producers, right direction, surrounded by some fly girls in the video of some party records...", Making his own songs could soon be the last thing on his mind - not that he's sweating with his steady cash flow and a knuckle-tight strategy for the future. He claims to have six children with three different women. Turn … [46] The album's singles are "Benjamin" and "Can't Say No". By. [76] The Electronic Frontier Foundation joined Malkin in contesting the removal as a misuse of copyright law, citing fair use. "Remember, back then I used to say I wanted to run for president in the next 10 years? It was not included in the track list for Freedom as Akon previously stated. 94. Pinterest. 20 Useless And Ridiculously Expensive Things Celebrities Bought … Akon started his new record label Kon Live Distribution under Interscope Records. Previous article E-40: I was Rich with A1 Credit, Bank Still Wouldn’t Give Me a Business Loan (Part 16) #interviews. I just do what feels good to me - I don't do what sells, or what market. Akon started his career in music in 2004 when he released his first album Trouble. Akon knows to play five instruments including drums, guitar, and djembe. Another slap on my knee. This is through is music and performances. Trust me. Previous article E-40: I was Rich with A1 Credit, Bank Still Wouldn’t Give Me a Business Loan (Part 16) #interviews. The estate covers an area of six acres and has a garage to accommodate six cars. Twitter. Now - it's different. Damn. Amid criticism on the radio, television, and from the blogosphere, Verizon Wireless removed ringtones featuring Akon's songs. [80], Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist. Akon’s song “Snitch” was featured in Season 20, Episode 6 of CSI: A Crime Scene Investigation. The album spawned four top-ten hits in the US, "Smack That," "I Wanna Love You," "Don't Matter" and "Sorry, Blame It on Me." ", Does he think crime pays? [72] However, Universal Music Group did not take action against Akon, but rather simply ordered the video clip be removed from video-sharing site YouTube due to copyright infringement. El Negreeto and Anuel AA Flex in "Get Money" Video", "Akon Breaks Down His Journey Into Reggaeton With Becky G And New Album El Negreeto", "East Coast, West Coast, Worldwide: Akon's Business Ventures Are Legend, but His New Music Enterprise Is One of His Most Boundary Breaking Yet", "Things you didn't know about the African artist Akon", "Akon assure qu'un collaboration est à venir avec Booba et... Gims", "Akon unveils new solar campaign for Africa", "Singer Akon has finalized plans to build a 2,000-acre city in Senegal that's powered by his cryptocurrency, Akoin", "Just finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal. Akon buys himself a diamond mine Dinky droplets of news: Akon's new South African diamond mine, Bono gets shirty with politicians again and Pearl Jam return for a one-off at Wembley. It will be called My Brother's Keeper, and the point is that Akon's two nearly identical brothers will go around in Atlanta posing as him fooling people into thinking that it is in fact Akon. The project aims at providing African rural communities with power and has since received funding from a number of institutions including China … Akon has also launched his Akoin cryptocurrency, which will be the sole transaction enabler when Akon … Akon invested in an African diamond mine. It felt, you could say, refreshing. The album is a hybrid of Akon's silky, West African-styled vocals mixed with East Coast and Southern beats. Ain't nobody thought about nothing about no conflict diamonds until the movie came out. Akon made his acting debut appearing alongside an ensemble cast in the 2012 Nigerian-American film Black November. The “Smack That” singer owns a clothing line in New York City, a diamond mine in South Africa, and an African solar lighting company. On October 5, 2006, Akon broke a record on the Hot 100, as he achieved the largest climb in the chart's 48-year-history with "Smack That" jumping from number 95 to 7. Lady Gaga – Ghost detection machine: $50,000 . Security staff grabbed the young man and took him up to the stage. A year later in 2005, he made his first critically acclaimed guest appearance on Young Jeezy's debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, with the song "Soul Survivor". [5] Billboard ranked Akon No. His album also climbed to number one in the UK in April 2005. Now, when 'Lonely' came out, I couldn't do that in the white areas! [70][71] The incident was filmed by Akon's crew and later uploaded to the Internet. When music channel The Box had a top ten weekly chart, which was calculated by the number of video requests, Akon's "Lonely" became the longest running single on the top of the chart, spanning over fifteen weeks. Designed to make transactions easier and less cash-dependent for citizens of Senegal, the destination will deal in a specially created cryptocurrency called Akoin. He started with a solar power company before buying a diamond mine in South Africa. That's it! 2 Akon - Diamond Mine: undisclosed price. Akon knows to play five instruments including drums, guitar, and djembe. On April 20, 2007, local media, channel CCN TV6, aired the video clip publicly. That's just a movie. WhatsApp. Akon’s Diamond Mine The internationally-popular rapper, Akon has always been about that bling. Part 22: Akon: I Do Music to Put on New Artists Now, My Other Businesses are My Focus Part 20: Akon on Running for President, Says He'd Vote for Kanye Over Trump Part 1: Akon on Growing Up in Senegal, Vlad Crying When He Visited Slave Island---- … Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa. He also announced that the album would be a quintuple album, broken up into five genres (Euro, Pop, Urban, Island & World). His other business venture is the diamond mine he owns in Africa. "Ghetto" became a radio hit when it was remixed by DJ Green Lantern to include verses from rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. His nasal tones have sat comfortably alongside the vocal outings of pop princess Gwen Stefani and rap kings Eminem and Snoop Dogg because "the best way to conquer the industry is to conquer particular territories". But instead I'm here locked up"). He adds: "And you know what's crazy? EXCLUSIVE: Akon Owned an African Diamond Mine: It's Worse than the Drug Business. Freedom was certified platinum in the US. [53] Phase 1 of construction, which is to be completed in 2023, is to include roads, a hospital, residences, hotels, a police station, a waste facility, a school, and a solar power plant. Akon is a part-owner of an African diamond mine. The mine is an open pit of a 32-ha surface area with a depth of about 1,073 meters out of which 747 meters are currently being mined. Akon has never had alcohol, nor has he ever smoked. I just like music all the way around the board. Considering the allegations against Akon, the Sri Lankan Government decided not to issue him a visa to enter into Sri Lanka. Collaboration is the key to success Akon understands that in the music industry, you cannot pull it alone. 20. ", Akon was in prison for three years. At the age of 7, Akon and his family moved to Union City in New Jersey. Facebook. You get all of that, from houses to cars to all that money, and they seize all of your accounts, repossess all your houses and cribs, and then you're stuck in here. hiphop-August 30, 2020. [24] He also co-wrote and produced Leona Lewis' single "Forgive Me" and worked with X Factor 2008 winner Alexandra Burke on her debut album. Facebook. In late 2015 and early 2016, Akon released the singles "Want Some", "Hypnotized" and "Good Girls Lie", upon striking a new record deal with Atlantic Records. The song reached number 1 in more than six countries and charted at 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. "So I would go to the white area to go to movies or hang out in a restaurant. "That's it. We all know rapping would not be the same if not for the bling, but Akon put a whole new meaning to the iced up metaphor when he purchased an entire diamond mine in South Africa in 2007. The song focused on human trafficking and featured both artists.[27]. WhatsApp. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first single from his debut album Trouble (2004), followed by the second single "Lonely. To quote him, he said the following: "I don't even believe in conflict diamonds. [38] Later that year, he was featured on the remix of Joey Montana's single "Picky", and featured alongside Chris Brown on Gucci Mane's Michael Jackson tribute single "Moonwalk". His clothing lines Konvict Clothing, a streetwear range, and the more upmarket Aliaune, are launching any day now. [52], In June 2020, it was announced that the engineering and consulting firm KE International (the same firm responsible for building Mwale Medical and Technology City) had been awarded a $6 billion contract to build the city. He further stated: "As you come in from America, or Europe or anywhere in the diaspora, and you feel like you want to visit Africa, we want Senegal to be your first stop". He also appeared on edition of November 17, 2008 of WWE Raw, with Santino Marella citing him in his speech. "There's a lot of R&B out that really beats around the bush," he counters. "I Wanna Love You", featuring Snoop Dogg, was the second single released in September, it would go on to earn Akon his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop's second. The mine is an open pit of a 32-ha surface area with a depth of about 1,073 meters out of which 747 meters are currently being mined. On November 20, 2007, the RIAA certified the album 'triple platinum' with 3 million units sold in the US. I'll just be the ambassador. AKON Owned an African Diamond Mine: It's Worse than the Drug Business (Part 21) Related Videos. But if all goes according to plan, Akon will be known for creating the first modern Afro-futuristic utopia. "[15] Foster and SRC CEO Steve Rifkind immediately boarded a private plane to Atlanta to meet the young artist. Akon Owned an African Diamond Mine: It's Worse than the Drug … Pinterest. Seine Musikrichtungen basieren auf Hip-Hop, Rap, Contemporary R&B, Pop und traditioneller afrikanischer Musik.Er ist außerdem Gründer der Musiklabel Konvict Muzik und Kon Live Distribution Not content with coining the squeakiest tune of 2005, (Lonely, so lonely) formerly locked down R&B sensation Akon is also the proud owner of a diamond mine in South Africa. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. The album was certified platinum after seven weeks, and after sixteen weeks it was certified double platinum. "It's always the music first for me," he contends. On June 3, 2007 at WSPK's KFEST concert at the Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, New York, a concert attendee threw an object towards Akon on stage. Nobody thought or cared about conflict diamonds until 'Blood Diamond' was released." But it wasn't enough to stop him entering the "car business" as a way to maximise his hustle. Akon is currently the proud owner of one in South Africa and is remarkably matter-of-fact about his acquisition. [10] Growing up in New Jersey, Akon had difficulties getting along with other children. Fact Check. [57], Akon confirmed in an August 2007 interview with Polish website INTERIA.PL that he worked on a movie called "Cocaine Cowboys", which tells the story of Jon Roberts, the main pilot of the Medellín Cartel.[58]. [34] These editions of the album will be available exclusively via the Stadium mobile app which is supported by ads but allows fans to stream the albums. Akon was included as a guest appearance in Pitbull's "I Believe That We Will Win (World Anthem)" official music video, in which all proceeds from the song's sales, streaming and views are being donated to Feeding America and the Anthony Robbins Foundation as relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ain't nobody thought about nothing about no conflict diamonds until the movie came out. And the winner (we hope) is nothing but singer Akon. Born in the U.S. and raised in Senegal, Akon said he’s a businessman first and a musician second. Facebook. He is also an actor, record prod… In May 2019, Akon released his first Latin single "Get Money", featuring Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. Can you imagine what the president goes through? Akon’s politics range from African diamond controversy to attempting to unite disparate U.S. political factions. By. Akon Lighting Africa. That’s why he has collaborated with numerous artists throughout his career. Akon co-wrote and recorded "Put It on My Tab" with New Kids on the Block for their 2008 reunion album The Block. It spawned the singles "Locked Up", "Lonely", "Belly Dancer (Bananza)", "Pot of Gold" and "Ghetto". Akon has always kept his family far away from the paparazzi. When asked how he acquired the land, Akon replied, “‘It’s real complicated. Split childhood between Senegal and the … The rest is chart history in the making. They're the ones calling up and requesting it. Akon – Diamond mine: Price unknown, but very expensive. Akon often provides vocals as a featured artist and is currently credited with over 300 guest appearances and more than 35 Billboard Hot 100 songs, resulting in five Grammy Awards nominations. Akon was received by Abbey Walusimbi, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Musician & Tourism Ambassador Eddy kenzo, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda Tourism Board & Sheik Ramadhan […] "[63] However, he has since stated that he does accept that blood diamonds exist, and that he is partial-owner of an African mine that is dedicated to avoiding use of blood diamonds while also donating profits to local communities.[64]. Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa and denies the existence of blood diamonds (also known as "conflict diamonds") saying, "I don't believe in conflict diamonds. In 2014, he starred alongside Hayden Christensen and Adrien Brody in the action movie, American Heist,[60] directed by Sarik Andreasyan. He slaps my knee and emits a hearty laugh. Akon has announced his new record label Akonik Label Group and will release four studio albums in different genres. Think about it. He has released six solo albums and has handled the majority of production on his solo work and guest features. Not many people know that he is also the owner of a diamond mine in South Africa. 1:51:55. [55], In 2006, it was announced that Akon is planning to work on a full-length movie titled Illegal Alien, which will be based on his life. But his records sell by the truckload. He says he wishes to keep his family protected from the public eye. AKON Owned an African Diamond Mine: It's Worse than the Drug Business (Part 21) Related Videos. Diamonds are the least of our worries.". In 2005, he released the single "Lonely" (which samples Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely"). As per Forbes, Akon earned $12 million in 2008, $20 million in 2009, $21 million in 2010, and $13 million in 2011. The Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, successful businessman, rapper, record producer, and actor, this man has a lot of talents that have taken him to the epitome of success. He created a solar-power company (Akon Lighting Africa) followed by his own cryptocurrency and also owns a diamond mine in South Africa. But Akon insists that's not his agenda. It features urban streetwear including denim jeans, hoodies, T-shirts and hats. [74][75] Malkin uploaded commentary about Akon to YouTube, using footage from music videos and the Trinidad concert, and Universal Music Group then forced its removal by issuing a DMCA takedown notice. [30] Around the same time, Akon collaborated with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg on "Kush", charting on number 36 on the Billboard charts. [54], Akon has confirmed that a reality television show is in the works. Then when you get out you don't own none of that, so it's like what was all that done for? But at the same time, in any corporation there is a lot of illegal activity going on. The song reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Australia, the UK and Germany. 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