Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon (/ˈeɪkɒn/), is an American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. An influential figure in modern world music, he rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of “Locked Up” (featuring Styles P), the first single from his debut album Trouble (2004), followed by the second single “Lonely”. His second album, Konvicted (2006), received three Grammy Award nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Smack That” (featuring Eminem) and “I Wanna Love You” (featuring Snoop Dogg). Both singles became Billboard Hot 100 top ten hits, followed up by “Don’t Matter” and “Sorry, Blame It on Me”. His third studio album Freedom (2008) was led by the single “Right Now (Na Na Na)”. Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam was born on April 16, 1973, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Muslim family.[7][8][9] His mother is dancer Kine Gueye Thiam (née Gueye), and his father is percussionist Mor Thiam.[10][11] Mor Thiam was born to a Toucouleur family of Quranic scholars in Kaolack, Senegal.[10][11] Akon spent a significant part of his childhood in Senegal, which he described as his “hometown”. Akon learned to play five instruments, including drums, guitar and djembe.[12] At age seven, he and his family relocated to Union City, New Jersey,[13][14] splitting his time between the United States and Senegal until settling in Newark.[12] Growing up in New Jersey, Akon had difficulties getting along with other children. When he and his older brother reached high school, his parents left them on their own in Jersey City and moved the rest of the family to Atlanta, Georgia.[15] Akon attended William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City.[16]