Where is akon originally from

His most recent venture is Akon Lighting Africa which is providing solar power to African countries. Journalist Paul Adepoju contributed to this report. Hide Caption. Snoop featured on Akon's U. In pictures: Akon's career — Born in Senegal, Akon has set up a foundation that's working to build schools and hospitals in the country. In pictures: Akon's career — Akon is planning to release his fourth studio album in June.

Story highlights Akon is Senegalese-American multi-platinum selling artist and producer He has collaborated with stars including Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga Akon is releasing his fourth studio album in summer He says he wants to make a big impact in Africa.

From the soundproofed walls and floor to the large sofas and keyboard racks, there's only one prevailing color inside Akon's state-of-the-art personal studio. Read this: Roaring success of 'Lion King' musician. It's also here where the Senegalese-American singer is putting the final touches to his fourth studio album, expected to be released in June, nearly 10 years after he first rose to fame with his debut offering "Trouble. On the song, he teamed up with the popular Indian music director duo, Vishal-Shekhar.

Akon also has two clothing lines, Aliaune and Konvict clothing. Konvict clothing features urban streetwear, including denim jeans, hoodies and T-shirts while Aliaune is the upscale version for males and females which includes blazers and other items. Akon is the founder of Konfidence Foundation which is a charity for under priviledged children in Africa. He also started a project Akon Lighting Africa in which main objective is to provide electricity in 15 countries..

Akon revealed that he has six children with three different women. He is also a type that likes to keep his family private. Remember Me. There he discovered hip-hop for the first time, as well as crime. He was eventually jailed, but he used the time -- a total of three years, he claimed -- to work on his musical ideas. Upon release, Akon began writing and recording tracks in a home studio.

The album was an interesting hybrid of Akon 's silky vocals with East Coast- and Southern-styled beats. After appearing on Young Jeezy 's "Soul Survivor," his number of guest appearances seemed to multiply each month. Konvicted , his second album, was released in November Soon enough, two of the album's singles, "I Wanna Love You" and "Smack That," made their way to the upper regions of the Billboard charts.

A significant stylistic shift occurred with Freedom , his third album. A fourth album, Stadium -- originally planned for a release -- was delayed several times and eventually abandoned altogether.