Everybody is aware of the name Akon but only a few are aware of his net worth and financial empire. Akon, the Grammy-nominated singer, has attracted the audience with his outstanding hits and generated headlines in the business world. With an estimated net worth of $60 million, Akon's journey from zero to hero is just incredible.
Akon is a multi-talented music icon known for his distinctive voice and genre-bending music which also helped him to gain international fame and build a million-dollar empire. Beyond his music world, his net worth is a testament to diverse ventures including his record label ownership and renewable energy startup. To know how Akon gained financial success from his music career and other ventures, read the article till the end!
Table of Contents
A Brief Look at Akon's Personal Life
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam |
| Stage Name | Akon |
| Age | 49 years |
| Birth Day | April 16, 1973 |
| Birth Place | St.Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.8m) |
| Spouse | Tomeka Thiam |
| Children | 9 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Source of Wealth | Music career, Business Ventures |
| Net Worth | $60 Million |
Akon's Early Life & Career Beginnings
Early Life
Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam known as Akon was born on April 16, 1963, in St. Louis Missouri. He was born in the United States but also spent his childhood in Senegal. At the age of seven, he settled permanently in Newark, New Jersey after living some time in the United States and some time in Senegal.
However, after moving to New Jersey, Akon spent much time in Senegal. Akon learned a lot of music from his parents. His father, Mor Thiam, was a percussionist for a popular 70's group, The Symphony, and his mother was a professional dancer.
During his childhood, Akon learned to play five instruments including guitar and drum. As a young child, he faced trouble adjusting to the United States and the situation got worse when his family relocated to Atlanta and left him or his brother to complete their study on their own. Akon's next part of adulthood is quite controversial as there are traces of records that he remained in jail for three years due to his involvement in an auto theft organization.
Later, interviews and reports denied all these records and clarified that there was no trace of Akon's involvement in a crime. But apparently, there are records of Akon subject to investigation and detections. When confronted with these inconsistencies, Akon claimed that he had remained in and out of jail during this tenure.
Onset Of A Music Career
The famous singer, Akon pursued the music industry in 2003 with a thirst for doing something big. He began his career as a hip-hop artist but has since dipped his toes into other genres including R&B and pop. Initially, he successfully garnered the attention of Devyne Stephine who signed himself for the Stephens label. He recorded several tracks with Stephens label which eventually grabbed the attention of producer “Knobody”. Well, he was the man who motivated Akon to make his debut album and also helped him in the whole process.
With the assistance of Knobody, Akon launched his debut Album, Trouble, in 2014. In no time, the album reached at number 8 position in the Billboard Top 200. The album helped Akon to advance his music career and after this, Akon collaborated with top artists such as Jeezy in his album “Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101.
The next album Konvicted became more popular than the first one and stood at the number two spot on the Billboard Top 200, selling almost $286,000 units in just a week. The album featured many famous artists such as Eminem in the song Smack That and Snoop Dogg in the song I Wanna Love You. The track turned out to be his first number-one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Later, Akon collaborated with other artists including Damien Marley, Gucci Mane, David Guetta, and many more. However, afterward, he came in many tracks and videos but did not produce any of his own resulting in disappointment for many fans. Later in 2019, Akon stepped into the world of Latino music, releasing an album “EI Negreeto”. He also came up with the other album Konnect in the same year. Later in 2022, Akon released TT Freak. The best part about his music career is that he's in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Akon's Career Highlights
Below are some of the Akon's significant highlights:
| Songs/Albums | Year |
|---|---|
| Lonely | 2004 |
| Trouble | 2004 |
| Smack That | 2006 |
| Don't Matter | 2006 |
| Konvicted | 2006 |
| Right Now | 2008 |
| Beautiful | 2008 |
| Freedom | 2008 |
| Criminal | 2011 |
| Stadium | 2015 |
Awards
| Billboard Music Award | Top Artist, 2007 |
| BET Global Good Award | 2016 |
Breaking Down Akon's Net Worth
As of now, Akon's net worth is estimated at $60 million which he gained through music sales, touring, business ventures, and endorsement deals. Let's get complete insights into Akon's financial journey and how he built his financial empire.
Musical Career
Well, his major source of wealth is through his music career. He earned significant money from his hit singles like Locked Up and Smack That. Talking about the numbers, Akon has sold over 25 million albums worldwide since the release of its first album in 2004. Akon's music career spans two decades giving five studio albums.
He also received significant money from royalties for songs he produced for other artists like Gwen Stefani and Lady Gaga. In 2010, according to Celebrity Net Worth, he garnered almost $21 million and $13 million during 2011. Moreover, in 2008 and 2009, he earned $20 million and $12 million respectively.
Recommended Post:Yoko Ono Net Worth
Business Ventures
Akon has been involved in many business endeavors which also have been serving potentially for his overall wealth. He started his own clothing line named Konvict Clothing Line in 2008 after his music career success. Akon owns a brand named Aliaune which aimed at serving high-end clothing. The musician invested his own money in business ventures,
Record Labels & Production Credits
The success of Akon made him launch his record label, Konvict Muzik, which significantly aided him in increasing his net worth. Moreover, the record label also becomes the source of establishing careers of significant artists of the time like T-Pain. In 2007, he also established KonLive Distribution in partnership with Interscope Records. This collaboration made him sign many top artists like Lady Gaga and Kardinal Offishall.
Akon City
Along with other business ventures, his highly ambitious project is the formation of an Akon City. The futuristic city project is proposed to establish Senegal. The city will run completely on Akon's personal Bitcoin currency, Akion. The plan was fully supported by Senegal and in 2020 it was reported that the plan of the project had been finalized. Apart from Akon City, he also established an Akon lighting project aimed at providing electricity to 15 African countries.
Well, the project of building a cryptocurrency-centered city was planned to build on 2000 acres. The design of the city was inspired by the Wakanda, the fictional nation featured in the Marvel movie Black Panther. The city was proposed to be built on a design that is transformative and showcases advanced technology with the rich culture and history of the African continent and sustainable living.
Philanthropic Initiatives
Akon has been actively involved in philanthropic work which not only earned him praise but also contributed positively to his brand value. In 2014, he established Akon Lighting Africa, which aimed to provide electricity to 15 cities in Africa through the installation of solar-powered streetlights and home systems. The project benefits millions of people in rural Africa, resulting in fame and praise for Akon's profile.
Moreover, he also established his charity called Konfidence Foundation through which he donated millions to Feeding America and the Anthony Robbins Foundation.
Akon's Real Estate
According to reports, Akon has a fixer-upper mansion in Atlanta for $2.6 million. Apparently, in 2017 he listed another home for $7 million in Atlanta.
YouTube Career Earnings From Last Six Month
According to YouTube.me, the earning he made from his YouTube channel and music videos is given below:
| Month | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| March 2024 | $84.9K |
| February 2024 | $85.8K |
| January 2024 | $82.7K |
| December 2023 | $84K |
| November 2023 | $84.4K |
| October 2023 | $82.1K |
Discussing Some Future Outlooks Of Akon
Considering current endeavors, here are some potential future outlooks for Akon.
1- Music Career & Record Label
Akon can continue to be in the spotlight again with another hit album or song. Despite a little break from releasing albums, he can still choose to be a prominent figure in the music industry by producing songs through his record label. Looking ahead, he may choose to return to launching his new album releases, and collaboration and embark on concert tours which significantly enhance his overall net worth.
Moreover, with the launch of streaming platforms, Akon can capitalize on opportunities to monetize his music albums and increase his earnings.
2- Expansion Of Business Ventures
With a diversified portfolio of business ventures, including his record label, renewable energy projects: Akon Lighting Africa, and crypto-currency-centered city, he chooses to expand his business portfolio. Moreover, he can invest in other industries and startups considering his business innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Given the track record of his business success, Akon's future ventures and current ongoing ventures potentially contribute to his financial prosperity.
3- Philanthropic Activities & More
Akon's keen interest and commitment to philanthropy showcases his good heart. He demonstrated a strong commitment to various charitable work and community development projects which he would like to continue in the future also. By scaling his philanthropic endeavors, he will not only build a lasting legacy but also increase his overall brand value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Did Akon Get So Rich?
The factors that contributed to making Akon rich are his musical journey, business ventures, and philanthropic activities. He gained massive money as a recording artist, by launching his clothing line Konvict Clothing and record label. Moreover, he also earns massive money from royalties for songs he produces for other artists.
How Much Is Akon City Worth?
The worth of Akon City is estimated at $6 billion because of the $6 billion contract Akon received from KE International for building the City.
How Much Did Akon Spend On Electricity?
The music star, Akon got funds from China to put solar street lights and energy systems in rural Africa to light up the cities. He got a $1 billion Chinese credit line and from this gave electricity to almost $80 million Africans. Moreover, the charity is also funded by Solektra Internationa, which is an Akon business along with two business partners.
What is The Akon's Net Worth In 2024?
According to many resources, Akon's net worth is estimated at 60 million dollars which is derived from his musical career, his business ventures, and music production. Akon's business ventures have been instrumental in increasing his worth.
Conclusion
According to estimation, Akon has grossed over $60 million net worth through his music career and till now. The figures represent his successful music career, diverse business portfolio, and ability to adapt and invest in different industries beyond the music world. Leveraging his fame and wealth, he also contributed to many philanthropic activities which increased his profile significantly.
Moreover, as we look at his current business endeavors including Akon City and renewable energy projects, his net worth will likely to bolstered in the coming years. Furthermore, as he continues to make waves in the entrepreneurial world and music industry, no one can stop him from achieving more heights. To sum up, the future of Akon's net worth looks as promising as his present.
