If you love to hear R&B music, most of you must have know one of these following facts about Akon. Akon is an American R&B and hip hop recording artist, songwriter and record producer. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of “Locked Up”, the first single from his debut album “Trouble”. He has since founded two successful record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. His second album, “Konvicted” received three nominations for the Grammy Awards in two categories, Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Rap/ Sung Collaboration. Furthermore, to get to know more about him, here are some other facts about Akon you might consider interesting.

Facts about Akon 1: Billboard Hot 100

He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.

Facts about Akon 2: Platinum

Akon has had four songs certified as 3x platinum, three songs certified as 2x platinum, more than ten songs certified as 1x platinum and more than ten songs certified as gold in digital sales. Akon has sung songs in other languages including Tamil, Hindi and Spanish.

Facts about Akon 3: Duet Performances

He has worked with numerous performers such as Michael Jackson, Eminem, Snoop Dog, Whitney Houston, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Gwen Stefani and many more artist. He has had five Grammy Awards nominations and has produced many hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby O’Donis, Kardinal Offishal, Leona Lewis and T-Pain.

Facts about Akon 4: Reality Show

Akon has confirmed that a reality television show is in the works. 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.

Facts about Akon 5: Bollywood Film

He collaborated with music director duo Vishal-Shekhar and sang “Chanmak Challo” as a part of the soundtrack for the 2011 Bollywood film Ra.One. Akon is working on an action movie American Heist, directed by Sarik Andreasyan.

Facts about Akon 6: Children

Akon claims that he has six children with three different women in an interview with “Blender”, all of whom he has great relationships with. He says he wishes to keep his family protected from the public eye.

Facts about Akon 7: Legal Difficulties

Akon has stated that he was part of an auto-theft ring and spent three years in prison from 1999 to 2002. However, in April 2008, “The Smoking Gun” website challenged his claim with court records and interviews with detectives involved in Akon’s case, concluding that he was not convicted of any crime and did not serve time in prison.

Facts about Akon 8: Concert

In 2010, Buddhist groups in Sri Lanka vehemently protested a planned concert by Akon, claiming his music video for Sexy Chick insulted Buddhism because of the Buddha statue that can be seen several times in the background. Considering the allegations against Akon, the Sri Lankan Government decided not to issue him a visa to enter Sri Lanka.

Facts about Akon 9: First Album

Akon’s alleged three years in jail saw him begin to recognize his music abilities and develop an appreciation for his musical background. Music mogul Devyne Stephens, president of Upfront Megatainment first heard about Akon when the rapper Lil’ Zane brought him along to Stephens’ rehearsal hall, a place that at the time saw talents such as Usher and TLC being developed.

Facts about Akon 10: Konvicted

His second album, “Konvicted” was released in November 2006 and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 286,000 copies in its first week. After only six weeks, Konvicted sold more than one million records in the U.S. The album was certified platinum after seven weeks, and after sixteen weeks it was certified double platinum.

Hope you would find those Akon facts really interesting, useful and helpful for your additional reading.