Talk:Akon/Archive 1

Get Buck in Here

Akon is featured in Get Buck in Here. Should something be added about that? 71.124.216.141 23:43, 15 July 2007 (UTC)

Senegalese or American

I understand that Senegalese can be referred to an ethnicity/race. Akon was born in the United States and is an American citizen. He should be referred to as an American or Senegalese-American singer instead of a senegalese singer.

Ain't a French speaker

Akon can speak French! Eventhough he grew up in Senegal for eighty seven years, he can speak French. He told it once on a French radio station. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 82.237.167.37 (talk) 11:37, 22 April 2007 (UTC).

That's because Senegal's official language is French. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.231.32.55 (talk • contribs)

List of Songs

I think a list of all his songs should be put back up as they were before! kamyts1 10.55am - 22 April 2007 ok lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala (r u hapy??????????) whoa diddy oh diddy oh

His Birthdate

His birthday is March 7,2007 at 4:50 and he made all his songs when he was 1 day old.Akon you realy know his ungle

Please site a website to state that his birth name is truly Aliaune Thiam. Kilo•T 20:51, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

• IMDB - "born Aliaune Thiam [...]"
• Whudat.com - "Aliaune Thiam"

You don't have to be snarky. There are a lot of Google results for it, such as [1], though most don't cite a specific source for the long name. Long names like that aren't uncommon in parts of Africa, Dikembe Mutumbo for example, and you didn't have a reason for your revert. Thus I kept it. --Awiseman 21:01, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

Here's an interview where he says it's his real name [2] --Awiseman 21:05, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

I was not being snarky. I'd rather have the article accurate than inaccurate. Kilo•T 10:55, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

There is only 5 results, Wikipedia is the first result, and the rest aren't what is considered WP:RS-- ¢² Connor K.   00:48, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

The last one I mentioned [3] is an interview him however. I'm going to put the full name back. --Awiseman 13:27, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

He must have had some cruel parents Johannes H.-Larsen 15:42, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

That is his birth name there are citations and he has mentioned it as stated by some, in a few radio interviews. It is mostly composed of middle names. He is however often referred to by the shorter variation of it, not unlike the case with dikembe mutumbo as simpy Aliaune Thiam.

Duhon 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I corrected the title of this section, from "Porely" to "Poorly".

He said on a interview on KIIS FM (a popular radio station in LA) that that was his name

Oh, that is REALLY helpful. Besides, start signing your comments! Chsf 08:15, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

That isn't his name u are lieing so much! 9:16 cc, 15 february 2007

Birth Place

He was born in St. Louis, but was raised in Senegal. http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1501105/05022005/akon.jhtml Check that interview, Akon says it.

In the song "Journey" he says"Born And Raised in Africa trying to make a scene." See. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/akon/journey.html —The preceding unsigned comment was added by R-HIT (talk • contribs).

That's a song, he can say whatever he wants in a song. But in interviews and biographies he says he was born in St. Louis and moved to Senegal at a young age --AW 17:45, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

Herminshs 08:12, 29 December 2006 (UTC) According to his own website, he was born in Senegal and moved to St Louis when he was 7Herminshs 08:12, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

See here --AW 16:47, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

There is a city in senegal called St. Louis. Go look. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Superman983 (talk • contribs).

• Yes, but he implies Missouri, see the quote

“ "VH1: You actually grew up in Senegal?

Akon: I grew up there but I was born in St. Louis. My mom and pop made sure we were all born in the States, that way we wouldn't have any immigration problems. We came here to go to school. Then in the summer we would go back to Senegal. Eventually, after high school, I ended up staying.

”

--AW 17:31, 4 January 2007 (UTC)<-this is crap

Having a long name like that doesn't surprise me. My name is Usman Ige Adukbi Olanrewaju Ayomide Ademidun Opemipo Isola Agbe Kewuyemi ------- of course I'm going to leave out my last name. But it does only the first name is my first name. The fourth is my American middle name. [I don't know how to leave a snazzy signature.] 68.50.76.199 00:34, 31 January 2007 (UTC)Usman

·== He was born in St. Louis!!! Stop changing it!!! ==

Had he was born in US, he would have been US citizen instead of legal allien !!!!!!!!!!!!

No he was born in Senegal, go to akononline.com and you will see it says"The story of the Senegal-born soul singer".Just read people and get your stuff straight.

He can not be originally from 2 country. If he s born in senegal he s from senegal ,if he s born in st louis ,missourri he s from the united states

He could have been born in senegal then moved here or born here then stayed there for a while, which ever way stop arguing on a blog page because it kinda proves y'all are ' and u might want to check out the meaning of that word before u jump to conclusions' u diffs.

Look, in interviews he says he was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Stop changing it. I'm going to ask for this page to be locked if people keep changing it to Senegal. He wasn't born in Senegal, just raised there. Here's an interview at VH1 [4], an article about him [5], and a bio from Wal-Mart [6] --AW 15:13, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

Duhon you seem to have an obsession with akon, you must have a little school girl crush cause you think by threatening to report me will make a difference, i will still change the info and thats that.See threats get you no where you idiot, so stop trying to threaten me like im going to pisss my pants cause you will "report me"

AKON WOULD NOT BE LIVING HERE IF HE WAS ROM SENEGAL BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE TO BE AN IMMIGRANT AND MOVE BACK TO SENEGAL!

If you were smart enuff, you would look at a map of sengal and see that Sanit Louis is the name of one of the provinces, OMG you are so dumb, he's from ,Saint Louis,Senegal!!!!!!!!!! Every1 knows he's from Senegal!!!!!!!!!! By the way, America is a country started by immigrants, buddy, you think white people were here before Columbus? A lot of America is immigrated, genious — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.81.218.12 (talk • contribs)

yep, I've found 2 sources saying he was born in Senegal and then moved to the U.S. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.101.249.2 (talk • contribs)

Look, this is his interview with VH1:

“ VH1: You actually grew up in Senegal?

Akon: I grew up there but I was born in St. Louis. My mom and pop made sure we were all born in the States, that way we wouldn't have any immigration problems. We came here to go to school. Then in the summer we would go back to Senegal. Eventually, after high school, I ended up staying.

”

He's saying they were born in the States - the United States. --AW 18:52, 1 March 2007 (UTC)

Had he was born in US, he would have been US citizen

Hello, it's Poland here. AKON was born in St. Louis, Senegal. Senegalese St. Louis is quite often mixed with the American one. And this mistake about AKON's birthplace appears not only in English Wikipedia, but also in Polish and French ones. I have already corrected the mistake in Polish Wiki, now it's time for English and French. If he was born in USA, on his official web there wouldn't be a "story of Senegal born soul singer". Do you see the nonsense of this wiki info? http://www.akononline.com/ Zuza Wiorogorska, Warsaw, Poland

Listen website/ interview are not a legimate source. Pop stars often make up whatever to maintain an image they find important. If his website said he was a fucking monkey from mars I don't think you would change wikipedia to say ' akon is actually a monkey from mars;.

Fugees

he actually got his start with "the fugees", and appeared on a few songs on the album "The Score". Perhaps this should be mentioned.

Please note, Akon ws born in St. Louis, Senegal, not St. Louis Missouri. This seems to be wrong in the main article.

See here --AW 16:47, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

I read on fox news that he turned 34 this year. go to fox news and put his name in search engine

Main Article

The biography reads like (and probably is) an industry promo. This isn't really a reference article, but a cut and paste from some sort of Akon PR. Someone familiar with Akon's background should right a more objective biography.

I agree, this is not an article that would be in an encyclopedia we need to redo this article JTaylorCU

Yeah, it's awful. I know nothing about Akon, but maybe someone who even just liked one of his songs could rewrite that bit? --Dandelions 23:21, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

It seems it has been changed markedly from that "promo" state now.. - A-ixemy 12:41, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

i think its plagerized: [www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Akon-Biography/D46CE4CE0AD4176E48256EE2000AB000] --RA64 05:16, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

His upcoming album "Konvicted" wasn't leaked onto the internet someone must tried to put everything close to it though.

Bananza

Who is the other guy in it?--60.226.16.83 09:48, 4 September 2005 (UTC) Anyone?--60.226.31.92 23:19, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

Who knows?--Sultn 10:24, 8 October 2005 (UTC)

infamous1: Kardinal Offishall is featured on the Bananza remix. you can hear kon at the beginning say "..akon and kardi"

Discography

Who keeps on deleting all the guest appearances? Sebastian Prospero 23:47, 15 September 2005 (UTC)

Why would Akon be considered as a "Guest Appearance" on "I Wanna Luv U" if it is also listed as his own single??? SleepyStud 19:39, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

new info... His trouble album went 2 times platinum in the US.

http://www.artistopia.com/akon

He had 2 singles that came out in 96 "Operations of Nature" and "Crack Rock". The video of Operation of Nature can still be found on Youtube. So year active can be changed and it would be cool to had that CD..It had several remixes of those songs

His name?

"Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam" OK that is JST NONESENSE YA'LL!! .. Im 100% Senegalise and trust me that is NOT a real name. As they said "Damala Bouga Time" does actually mean "I Wanna F*** You". He was probably jst translating it for the interviewer! Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu aint Wolof AT ALL!! They're jst makin all this up. Alioune Thiam is his real name. Akon is jst his name as an artist. Trust me, if any of ya'll go to Senegal and aks the ppl if that is a real name, they'll jst think its crazy!

Is his name really "Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam"? There's no source, and it seems a bit absurd. I thought "akon" was his performing name, derived from the fact that he's an ex-con. And "lu lu lu" seems made-up, but we can't be sure if there's no source. Coquigamer 00:33, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

There is a source, look at the last external link that says "Interview." Please dont alter it. On wikipedia we are supposed to add middle names. Even African Ones. By the way Akon is one of his middle names. Thank You! R-HIT

I'm still not positive if its his full name, but I found it at several sources: [7] [8] including a wikipedia senegal article [9] and the interview R-HIT mentions. R-HIT made it sound like some joke in the edit summeries, saying it was "insider info" one site said it was his rumored name.--RA64 18:09, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

I just heard an Akon interview on a radio station in Atlanta and he confirmed that this is his birth name.

First of all, "Dama la beugg time" means "I wanna f*ck you" in Wolof, so I'm almost sure that someone made that up, especially with his new song on the air. I've never heard of anyone having "lu lu lu" in their name either, but that's also Wolof (it doesn't really mean anything, it's kinda like a repeated conjunction). Also, I've mostly seen Alioune spelled the French way (with an 'o' not an 'a'), but his may be spelled differently. Most of all, Badara is a common Pulaar name that goes with Thiam, and Thiam is a griot name, the singers and oral history storytellers of Senegal, so that seems right. I think it's probably Alioune Badara Thiam, but who knows. I speak Wolof and have spent a lot of time in Senegal and with Senegalese people, and am extremely skeptical that anyone would have a name like that. Any way to get in touch with him? -anne penda / Annekoplinka 17:34, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

That may be true, but he's said the whole thing is his name in interviews. Do you have a source that his name is really only three words? We need to figure this out. --AW 17:44, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

If you can actually prove ""Damala Bouga Time"" means profanity in Wolof maybe you have an argument but none the less he has himself said that exact name in a few interviews already (i also doubt wiki has that many wolof speaking vandalizers). --Duhon

We have to have a source on this. He's said the whole thing is his name in interviews, as this article says. --AW 21:20, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

The 'truth' doesn't matter, it's sourced and should stay.21:50, 7 March 2007 (UTC)

I would like to add my contribution to the discussion about Akon's real first name by seconding the statement that his real name should be spelled "Alioune" and not "Aliaune". As an individual that grew up in Senegal as well, I have never heard of an "Aliaune", but "Alioune" is definitely right. It is indeed a Senegalese name. The name Aliaune does not exist to my knowledge. -Issa Dramé

I just found 2 sources - one lists his name as "Alioune Thiam" (as some have said it should be) and one that also provides his middle name "Badara" too (as Anne said it probably is above). [10][11]--Tfeng8 22:17, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. That first one seems less legitimate, it says he was born in Senegal, when he says himself he was born in the US. I'm going to cite the second one --AW 23:10, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Even though there's the issue of whether or not his first name is Aliaune or Alioune, I think we can just leave it as Aliaune, since that's how it's being spelled by pretty much every source in the United States and I guess Akon is fine with that. But all the other parts like "Damala Bouga Time" should be excluded, in my opinion. There are never any Sengalese sources that have anything more than Alioune Badara Thiam. So I think we should just leave his name as Aliaune (Alioune) Badara Thiam and nothing more. Tfeng8 09:35, 19 February 2007 (UTC)

The name is obviously a joke from Akons side, it's the chorus of one of his most famous tracks "I wanna f*ck you" AND I can asure you that "Damala bouga time" means I want to fuck you since I am also from the partially wolof speaking country of Gambia.

And as someone said earlier said that "even African middle names" should be written, is the joke itself, Akon knows that most westerners have a view that many Africans do have names like that. I hope we can be allowed to change this article without anymore, arguements about this joke. His name is most probably Alioune Badara "Akon" Thiam. Please trust us who do speak the language. We wouldn't doubt your knowledge in your mother tongues THANK YOU(Kuini86 05:01, 27 March 2007 (UTC))

The issue isn't that anyone doubts your ability to speak the language, but that Akon has said in multiple interviews that that is his full name. And who knows, maybe he had interesting parents who decided to include profanity in his name. Or maybe they don't speak the language and asked a mean-spirited passerby who does for a name suggestion. I know a girl named Alison Wonderland Smith. If she wrote children's books, and said her name was Alison Wonderland Smith, should we doubt her because her name happens to be the name of a famous movie? Until we have a source showing that he's lying to the world, he's pretty much the foremost expert on his own name. 24.17.242.238 15:45, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

Biography section needs cleanup

Encyclopedia articles are supposed to be "just the facts", not people's opinions about them. This section needs a rewrite to better meet the standards of an encyclopedia. (I also suspect that it is actually copied from another web site or from a print source, but I haven't checked.) -- 201.78.233.162 12:32, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

Okay, we've got two issues going with the biography section:

(1) It's an "ad". It's somebody talking about how cool Akon is, and doing it in a way that that isn't appropriate for an encyclopedia article.

(2) It's copied from the artist's website. We really can't do this on the Wikipedia unless we specifically get permission to do it.

-- 201.78.233.162 06:28, 2 June 2006 (UTC)

He is a novelty, because he has no credibility!

Aliaune is fine I believe. I am senegalese and usually it is Alioune, but I know that with the English pronunciation you can play around with names just looking at Gambian's name. It is just a matter of English vs french writings. Well "Dama le bougou time" = "I wanna fuck you". I dont think any parents would name their child that..If you think so well u can then leave it like that.

Unsourced Statements

Can we stop referring to Akon as a novelty rapper? I've never heard him called that anywhere and it sounds like a POV statement. Also, can we have sources for Akon calling James Blunt a fag for knocking him off number one on a music channel and Akon saying Keane are his favourite band? --Tyron1 13:00, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

I Would Also Go On The Record By Saying His Record "Konvicted" Did Not Leak Onto The Internet But Perhaps Maybe A Few Tracks Did But It Wasn't The Whole LP

Protect From Unregistered Users

I would like to know if the Akon page could be protected from unregistered users because the majority of unsourced statements and spam comes from them. I'm not sure if I could do this, which is why I'm requesting it.

Thnx

His name is Alioune Badara Thiam, what you have right there is actually perverse and sexual Wolof content.

THANK YOU! It is extremely frustrating that someone put up "dama le beugg time" etc etc as his middle name ... at least someone knows what I'm talking about Annekoplinka 17:40, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Trivia section

We don't need a trivia section. The useful pieces I integrated into the article, like his TV appearance and the Box chart, and the rest is not really useful. And see Wikipedia:Avoid trivia sections in articles --AW 14:47, 9 November 2006 (UTC)

Wolof and or French?

Do we have any sources saying what he speaks? --AW 22:58, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

"Smak That" - Does anyone care that he doesn't even say the Lamborghini Gallardo name correctly... it's Guy-yar-doe" not "Gal-lar-do"--- IT BUGS BIG TIME. Chk your references Akon.

HE SPEAKS FRENCH!!!! get on limewire or something and listen to the begining of a song called rebel musik. He sings it with monseiur r. At the begginning he is clearly heard speaking fluent french. And wolof is spoken more in the gambia. And french is the primary language for senegal. So he has to know french. And to add he is from dakar, a metropolitan city. from my understanding wolof is spoken in small villages in senegal!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 THIS NEEDS A PICTURE--R-Hit

Just because he speaks French on a CD doesn't mean he is fluent in it. We need a source that says he does. It does need a picture though. --AW 03:18, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

French is not the native language of Senegalese people. It is the language they speak in school, the language used for writing, and the language used on most television programs. However, it is not the language used in everyday conversation. Wolof, among other languages, is spoken in both cities and villages. "French is the official language but is used regularly only by the literate minority. All Senegalese speak an indigenous language, of which Wolof has the largest usage." (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2862.htm) "Senegal is a small African country north of Mauritania, east of Mali and south of Guinea. Since Senegal was French colony the official spoken language is French, however the national/native language is Wolof." (http://www.nyu.edu/classes/blake.map2001/senegal.html) As sources cited in the Wikipedia article explain, Akon did not even attend school in Senegal. Assuming he does speak French, it is highly doubtful that he is as proficient as someone who attended school in Senegal. And even if he had attended school in Senegal, French would still not have been his native language. --KCGU 16:50, 30 November 2006 (UTC)KCGU

I just listed to the song "Rebel Musik" that he does with Monsieur R. It is Wolof, not French, that Akon speaks in this song. I do not have any source to prove this, but I myself am fluent in both French and Wolof. I have spent over two years in Senegal. There is a little bit of French mixed into Akon's Wolof, but that is because all Senegalese people add some French into their Wolof, regardless of whether or not they are capable of speaking pure French. Akon says "Il faut ma defat ko boy...Senegal Dakar laa joge...Yu bare gëmuñuko..." which means, "I need to do it again, man... I'm from Dakar, Senegal... Many don't believe it..." Therefore, I believe that Akon speaks at least a little Wolof. I do not know how much French he knows. I welcome anyone who can corroborate this with some citations. The only thing I can prove is that he speaks English like an American and that he is an American citizen (since he was born in the US). --KCGU 20:06, 30 November 2006 (UTC)KCGU

-> I agree, he speaks a little French and some Wolof, because he spoke to the crowd in Wolof when he came to Dakar to do a concert. However, his level of French and Wolof is really what I think people are wondering about Annekoplinka 17:43, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

GUYS I FOUND A SOURCE..HE SPEAKS FRENCH!!..He says it in this interview.. [12]- R-HIT

That's good, but it doesn't mean he doesn't speak Wolof too --AW 19:14, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

who the **censored** blocked it from edtiting

^^^ Inresponse to the above question, you need to register first. The message blocking unregistered users from editing says it all. Reyrefran 16:50, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

I was at his concert in Dakar too. His Wolof is very good actually. He introduced his parents to the crowed. I do believe he understand french, and speaks just a little a bit. his wolof is better than his french am sure.

WTF HAPPENED?

Whoa, this page needs to be locked by the looks of things. It seems that it is constantly being edited, and now someone has deleted the entire page and written:

Some lame-ass bastard

This is an ENCYCLOPEDIA where people go for INFORMATION!! NOT opinions, you **censored**wit!! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 58.169.47.44 (talk) 05:07, 27 December 2006 (UTC).

Brother in FL

I met his older brother at a mosque in Orlando, Florida. His older brother lives in Orlando, but the others live some else where. He showed me proof. His name is Muhammad Chiam, not "Thiam", he said its pronounce and spelled "Chiam". He was about 6`3 ,skinny, dark, and looked like him. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.205.229.145 (talk • contribs).

Do you have a verifiable source for that? The sources linked from the article disagree with you. -- Jim Douglas ^(talk) _(contribs) 22:35, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

My mistake, his last name is spelled "Thiam" but it is pronounced "CHAM".

Comment

I'm from senegal and I have never heard of a name like that, Akon's real name is "Alioune Thiam", I do speak wolof and "Damala Bouga Time" means something really nasty in wolof "I want to F**** you", Wikipedia should not allow people to post thing without proof... follow the link from "billbooard.com" - + - *IMDB - "born Aliaune Thiam [...]" + (http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?&cr=artist&or=ASCENDING&sf=length&pid=491541&kw=akon) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Xzalate (talk • contribs)

If that's true, that's pretty funny. However, he does say the name in interviews, which are sourced and linked in this article with footnotes. Maybe he's playing a joke, which is worth looking into, but he has said it a few times --AW 07:21, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, I wouldn't bank on it being a joke, but it could be. We do need a true verifiable source before we make any sort of edit like that. We need some proof before we do anything. Tockeg 17:35, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

What happened to his personal life section?

What happened to the section that mentioned his Christain faith and that he is a polygamist? someone needs to put it back. I will if no has reason for deleting it. Sartaj 05:48, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, please do --AW 06:36, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

-Can somebody edit to capitalize Christain ? Thanks.

--Just wondering if anyone wanted to write anything about his molestation of a girl on stage...http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/?p=5355

Disputed tag for his name

I added the disputed tag because of his name - people are saying that part of it is actually Wolof profanity, but he has said that the full thing is his name in a few interviews. I'm not sure what to do in that case. --AW 17:51, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I heard you can put anything up here.

World tour

The article (and apparently sources) say his world tour this year will commence in Africa, but makes no mention of anything about Asia. This is a bit odd, seeing as Akon will be coming to my college in Malaysia tomorrow to perform... Johnleemk | Talk 11:23, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

18:36, 1 March 2007 (UTC)S.khan27== Ambiguous/misleading information ==

The page says "He is a Christain , and cites his religion for his polygamist lifestyle; he has three wives".

Here's the problem. Christain doesn't order each and every muslim to take up polygamy. It merely tolerates polygamy. The vast, vast majority of Christain in the world have just one husband/wife. Change it to "He is a polygamist, which is permissable under the religion of Islam of which he is an adherent" or something along those lines.

Well he does cite his religion for his practice of polygamy, he has made it clear in a few interviews. as well this article is about akon not the islamic faith. --Duhon Jnauary 18th 2007

ok.. im not sure but i think the U.S.A only allows 1 wife.. all states except UTAH . And he does not live there. so i think the 3 wives thing is incorrect. but im quite sure he is a muslim — Preceding unsigned comment added by S.khan27 (talk • contribs) S.khan 21:30, 18 March 2007 (UTC) Search Polygamy and see the charts that show which countries ALLOW polygamy.S.khan 21:30, 18 March 2007 (UTC) Sabeel Khan

For the record, polygamy is illegal in Utah too. See [Polygamy]]. Phiwum 15:12, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

can't be bothered to check the right page right now, but a google search turned this page up which references an interview he gave about his polygamy: http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/11/25/rapper_akon_has_three_wives  	 

- -If someone wants to they can check if this is considered a legitimate source by wikipedia to reference the statement that he has three wives. I got the page by googling "Akon" and "wives". - By the way, one thing we should all be clear on is that he is muslim, a follower of Islam. Someone above is writing that he is a Christian, thought that may be the result of another users vandalism. And the Koran (basically the final authority in Islam) allows a man multiple (up to four and only if he can treat them equally) wives and concubines in addition.

Any known album date

Does anyone have any idea if there is a known release date for the new album.

With respect to Konvicted, his article mentions a different copy that was released, perhaps a limited edition or something, but is unclear. When I downloaded a torrent that was titled Akon - Konvicted in about early November (that's a guess as to when-it was too long ago for me to remember) it had 19 tracks, all of which sound like they are done by Akon. It still features many of the same songs as the standard 12 track Akon album that I bought. Is there any known reason for this? I can provide a track listing if anyone wants. --User:Phatmatt12188

infamous1: That was an early leak not put out by kon, but put together by someone. it contained previously released material and features.

Edit needed

In the Career section under 2004-2005: Trouble - The first sentence - "Akon's solo debut album, Troublewas released on June 29, 2004." Needs a space added after Trouble. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Psmith811 (talk • contribs) 23:24, 26 January 2007 (UTC).

Pop genre

Who removed the pop rap genre? Akon belongs in the pop rap genre. Some of the songs on his albums are poppy. "Smack That" was a failure in the urban market and "Mr. Lonely". It caters more to mainstream. Charmed36 21:28, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Too long?

This article seems very long, especially the part with all his rumored appearances. Is that really necessary? Many singers and rappers appear on many other rappers' songs, do we need to include them all? --AW 22:34, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

People come hear to read about him and know what music he is in. If it doesn't say a lot of the songs he's in with other rappers it wouldn't be that informative. matthew was here lol

Correct Information/Format

Everytime I try and correct the information in the article Ericorbit reverts it to the "correct format". That is fine with me but when I tried to use his format along with updating the information, he reverts to an outdated edit. Apparently I don't know how to edit so I would like someone to update the information as well as keep the correct format. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Taker 1192 (talk • contribs) 01:33, 8 February 2007 (UTC).

If I have removed some current info, I'm sorry for this. However, your edits are a complete reverting of huge sections of the article which were previously cleaned up for grammar, wikilink, punctuation and song/album title formatting, etc. If your edits showed that you, for example, were only updating a chart position there would be no reason to revert, but when I see this I can only assume you're changing everything back to a poorly-written version. - eo 01:43, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

Konvict (convict?)

Is Konvict (or is it Convict? I'm not sure which he means) considered one of Akon's nicknames? -Mike Payne 03:31, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

No, itis a reference to his record label, Konvict Muzik, and to the fact of him being locked up...

Recent news

hey i wrote a artical on Wikinews about his recent visit to Borderfest 2007 in which his security forces werent enough to stop the rush of people comming at him which led to him having his shoes socks and watch stolen. =) i was there. also it should come out on the news shortly. the only problem is i dont know where to put such info if it does come out. Maverick423 20:54, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

Clothing Line

Hey i was just wondering if his clothing line launched or not cuz if it didn't shouldn't it be taken out of the article that it launches in february as it is march 10... Cheese is good.....enough 20:37, 10 March 2007 (UTC)

Lead in

Seeing as the intro was rather messy, I firstly moved his birth place and where he was raised into the relevant 'Background' section. Secondly, I removed the line saying "Other sources have his name as "Alioune Badara Thiam". The only difference between that name & the one cited in the 1st sentence is one letter ('o' instead of 'a'), which isn't surprising since the source was a French site. And I changed the origin in the infobox to St. Louis. If you look at the Template:Infobox musical artist, 'origin' means which place he became notable as an artist. Spellcast 10:54, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

I'm going to add that back. There was a lot of debate about his name, some people claim the long version is not real, and that it's Wolof profanity. --AW 15:09, 14 March 2007 (UTC)

Religion

I have a source [[13]] stating that he's a Sunni Muslim, and not a convert. Should we add it to the article? Tockeg 17:50, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

That's not really that reliable a source. these famous___ websites are never that accurate.Duhon 06:22, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

Alright, I'll see if I can find another source or two. Tockeg 21:54, 12 March 2007 (UTC)

--69.208.161.155 19:53, 8 April 2007 (UTC)Zaied Abdullah Aziz Zahoor Alam

Origin

Regarding the place of 'Origin' in the infobox, the Template:Infobox musical artist says it refers to:

The city from which the singer or group originated (that is, the city where the group was founded; or the city where individual performers started their career, should it not match the location of their birth).

He grew up in both the US & Senegal. But 'origin' here refers to the place where he became notable & it doesn't have to match the place where he grew up. And it was in the US where he became notable rather than Africa. Spellcast 14:24, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

moonshine? keep on calling?

nothing is mentioned of these two singles. they were recorded with new zealand artists before he cracked the us market. were both huge here in NZ anyone wanna add these?they may have even been on his first album here in NZ —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 121.72.239.243 (talk) 16:05, 2 April 2007 (UTC).

If you can find a source, please add them --AW 18:43, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

convert to judaism

--84.70.100.255 22:59, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

i have a very reliable site, which states accurately word to word of an interview he did in chicago last year, february 25 2006, where he clearly stated that he has converted to judaism. he stated it was his choice of moral and ethical beliefs. shall we change it to that?

thank you.

yossi benayoun, WHU FC, london.

I dont think he is a covert Jew, in his song Senegal he mentions Allah and Kaba. As much as you want him to be a Jew seeing as your one yourself your information in incorrect. However i would like to have a look as your reliable site. 86.154.84.44 18:13, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

akon's birthday

saw this today on his myspace page- Akon April, 16 2007 at AKON's BIRTHDAY!!!!! Not Available , ATLANTA, GA 30301 Cost :

I dont really know when my birthday is, but this is the day that I celebrate

http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.showDetails&Band_Show_ID=7749168&friendid=32050898

—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.196.89.150 (talk) 14:15, 12 April 2007 (UTC). 24.196.89.150 14:18, 12 April 2007 (UTC)

Reliable sources

Some reliable sources for the Trinidad controversy:

• http://www.westindiantube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c9dcd35e62896010cd9f&page=&viewtype=&category=
• http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161129187
• http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=45946&in_page_id=7
• http://www.hollyscoop.com/akon/akon-gets-the-wrong-hump_10666.aspx

220.227.179.5 17:22, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

• http://blogs.sohh.com/soul/archives/2007/04/akon_is_getting.html

Arrest-Name

Hey,

I reckon there should be a separate paragraph EXPLAINING how he got arrested, cos it's really interesting and it's hard to find when it's in his P.L.

I'm friends with a Senegale African, and his name DOES NOT exist! It's just not possible! Part of it includes swearing, and it is an INSULT and the Para Nacka lu lu lu does not exist, that's just playing around! SOMEBODY CHANGE IT! IT IS AN INSULT!!! Happykid536 08:58, 28 April 2007 (UTC) Thanks! 203.129.47.195 08:50, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

His name may very well be false in real life, but what matters here in Wikipedia is verifiability. Unless there's a more reliable source available, it should stay as it is. Interestingly, in the May issue of Vibe magazine, he admits to keeping his age a secret, so who knows, maybe his hiding his real name as well. Spellcast 09:13, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

The Name

If what matters is verifiability I'm removing any information about his "full name" because one source cited admittedly is not 100% on it and the other source is just a reiteration of the first - it's not an additional primary source. I'll briefly mention the mystery/controversy of it, but there is obviously no consensus on anything other than "Aliaune Thiam". SeeThisThrough 19:45, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

There was some vandalism of it. I changed it back because it's been the subject of a lot of debate. Akon said the long version in some interviews, though some people here think it's a joke or a lie, claiming it includes profanity in Wolof. The "Alioune" variation has been claimed to be correct by others here and I found a source, so I've left it in. I think it's a debate worth leaving in here. --AW 21:03, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

I've seen a few people reference "a couple interviews" in defense of the long name, but the cited sources aren't anything substantial enough to warrant that. There are a great deal of other sources with the simple two-name form, including an interview with him. So why use the less-defensible, more ridiculous name, especially on a site that prides itself on accuracy and verifiable information?SeeThisThrough 21:25, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

"Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Naamapamadingdong Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara (click - click - clack) Akon Shalaam Madakalakapeepee Thiam"? This is obvious vandalism. HeckXX (G,W,U,V) 21:05, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

This name thing is getting irritating. Who can actually tell us his REAL name? -HeckXX (G,W,U,V) 21:10, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

You're right, I fixed that part. I added some more sources about the debate. Apparently no one can say for sure. --AW 21:15, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

Forget the name!

C'mon people, there's no need to place too much importance on his name. Even if we found out at his actual name, it's not going to bring the page any closer to a good article, judging by its current quality. If this is going to be a good article, there are bigger things to worry about such as citing sources, and improving the biographical material. Spellcast 10:29, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Age

I could of sworn that this artist's age is 34. LILVOKA 17:07, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Trinidad controversy

akon did some simulated rape on a fifteen year old that should most definitely be included — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.189.246.113 (talk • contribs)

It was included earlier, i re-added it --AW 21:08, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Akon did the same stage act, "simulated sex" at everyone of his performances I would like to know why it was not mentioned.Can we all be mature and not just portrays it to be a one off incident?

Verizon Wireless has now stopped sponsoring Akon, and has also dropped sponsorship of the Gwen Stefani tour, which Akon is a part of, due to the recent scandal in Trinidad. http://www.ttgapers.com/Article1736.html Ttgapers 03:56, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

Bill O'Reilly, Michelle Malkin and Laura Inghram

Those right-wing talkers had started a feud with Akon after Verizon Wireless was forced to drop him. Also Fox News is involved in this feud with rap music. LILVOKA 12:02, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the tip. Ufwuct 09:19, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

akons page revisions

someone put up "rapist and molestar" on akons page...that probably should be changed —The preceding unsigned comment was added by SMUTUNIT (talk • contribs) 14:56, 7 May 2007 (UTC).

Akon dropped by Radio Disney

Radio Disney does some housekeeping. It appears as if they’ve eliminated controversial artist Akon from their playlist. Just one week ago he had two songs featured on their Top 30 Countdown: It Don’t Matter (4) and Lonely (13). Recently Verizon severed their partnership with him as well.

http://tommy2.net/content/?p=1605 —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.118.25.164 (talk) 01:20, 8 May 2007 (UTC).

Picture

This Akon picture is not decent.It is giving a vulgar feeling because his hand is in an area where it should not have been.There is no decent picture of him? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 220.224.87.205 (talk • contribs)

Are you kidding? it looks fine to me. --AW 13:21, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

Akon's Age? 34

It appears alot of the press now discussing akon, they are listing his age as 34. [14] [15] I beleive this information is comming from the AP who are quite well respected in the news world. On this apge it reffered to his birthdate as 1981 however the citation provided did not actually indicate that date. I've removed refferences to his birthdate on the page. Should it be stated that he is indeed 34 on the page now? Duhon 18:24, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

Maybe you can say there is disagreement about it and mention both. Kind of like what they do for his name. --AW 18:59, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

OK, I added that to the intro paragraph --AW 19:03, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

And actually, I can't find anything with that October day other than About.com, which is not that reliable, so I've removed it. What a confusing guy. --AW 19:10, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

This is AP too...it says hes 25- http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=7b1c287e-8038-457a-8022-f7dedba27ccf

Guess they corrected it, it says 34 now. 128.227.43.42 04:51, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

In almost every AP press release released to the national newspapers, it has 34 as his age. that should be noted. AP is a more respected news agency than rollingstone.Duhon 19:14, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

Sources that list his age as 34: [16] [17] [18] [19]

It is enough evidence to clearly state he is 34. Duhon 19:29, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

Just to settly this debate in one of his interviews he talks about how he remembers meeting the Jackson 5 as a child with his father. If he was born in 1981 the the 5 would have been long broken up by the time he could remmember such. Duhon 18:12, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

You should add that to the article with a link or source --AW 18:58, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Here's the article [20], later in the article it talks about how he met michael Jackson before he released thriller. Meaning if Akon was born in '81 he would have to have met MJ as a toddler which is pretty rediculous. If you can find a way of adding this info without it sounding like original research please do. Duhon 21:29, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

I have yet more proof he was not born in 1981...he sung on the Fugee's album The Score in 1996. If he was born in 1981 he would've been 15 years old at the time. That is not extremely unlikely, but actually impossible. No 15 year old sounds like that or sings about such things as "today is that season, Akon get a murderin..." Also in an interview with MTV.com he said he had been chillin with the Fugees for a while, making music with them. I don't think a 14/15 year old would've been doing that... Judging by everything I've read and all the sources this cat is 34, and was born in 1973. This reference agrees also. Derz 13:59, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

I Went To the June 30 show in Las Vegas and we got the backstage pass to meet akon and gwen. Before we went in they showed biography videos of each. And the first words in the akon bio video was "Born in the early 1980's". There we go. I Get banned for changing the age. That is crazy. Deny me now. That is conclusive.- R-Hit

Intro problems

The closing sentence of the intro is very confusing.

"He is well known for singing hooks and has produced around fifty songs that feature him to his credit."

What does "produced" mean here? Is he the artist or the producer? If the former, use a different verb than produced.

What does "feature him to his credit" mean? At best, it is redundant. But if he is the primary artist for these songs, then it is strange to say that his songs "feature him".

I don't know what this sentence is supposed to mean, so I won't try to fix it. I hope someone else will step in and take care of it. Phiwum 13:07, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

Akon's real name

Apparently "Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu" means "I wanna f@%#! you" in Wolof (a language in Senegal). Not really his name.

Couna 15:24, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

Yes, this has been discussed too many times. That full name should be removed, and should be replaced with simply Akon Thiam, or those other short forms of his name. His father's full name is simply Mor Dogo Thiam, so Akon's full name can't be nearly as long as it appears. Blackjays1 00:04, 3 June 2007 (UTC)

GUYS GUYS GUYS- MUST READ

I found AN INTERV|IEW WHERE AKON PERSONALLY VERIFIES THAT ALIAUNE DAMALA BOUGA TIME PURU NACKA LU LU LU BADARA AKON THIAM IS HIS REAL NAME. Heres the url- http://www.smashtimeradio.com/archives/smashtimeradio_interview_akon.mp3-- IF it doesnt work go to smashtimeradio.com and go to the archived interviews and click akon. It takes a while to load but he says it in the beginning. And Heres the archive url- http://www.smashtimeradio.com/archives.html and the home url-http://www.smashtimeradio.com - if they all dont work search smashtimeradio on google or sumptin- R-HIT

AH LIE DAT! You explain to me how "i wanna f--k you" can be part of ANYONES name. How can you be sure that it is his real name just because he said it? Blackjays1 02:56, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

His greast song is'nevor took the time'

Edit

{{editprotected}} Can an image be added? This image:

File:AkonEdited.JPG

--City6 15:28, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

Where at? ^demon^{[omg plz]} 16:51, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

This page is semiprotected; any username more than a few days old can edit it. There is no need for administrator assistance to edit this page. — Carl (CBM · talk) 18:02, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

Clean up

To summarize everything before this point:

Akon fan/13 year old girl: "OMG HIS NAME MEANS 'I WANNA F*CK YOU!!!1' IT CAN'T BE RIGHT!!!1 I SPEAK FLUENT WOLOF"
Wikipedian/nerd: "Ahem, little girl, verifiability. We must look at citations."
15 year old suburban boy: "I did a little research...he says his name is now Akon Chang Chang Shoo Boppity Wop Woo Woo."
Wikipedian/nerd: "Ahem, verifiability."
Another Akon fan/13 year old girl: "HEY GUYZ I HEAR THAT ISN'T HIS REAL NAME"
All: "Thanks, we were just discussing that in the previous 20 threads."

Can we put all of this absolute shit of discussion (which, spread out over a few dozen discussions, all people have really managed to do is just go in circles about his name and his age) in an archive and just have a header saying "please don't be dumb and post new discussions on the same god damn topics we've all been discussing for 155 days"? Furthermore, can people sign their comments?--Blingice 06:36, 8 June 2007 (UTC)

Where he was born

the section says missiouri or somthin like that but at a concert he said he was born in west Africa...not sure who is right

New controversy

[21] A gig he played saw condoms being handed out to children. Someone should add this to the controversy section.

NO DO NOT ADD!!!!!!! If you read the article it says that a concert that akon was performing at!!! The concert officials handed them out!!! Rihanna and many more artists performed at this concert!! DO NOT ADDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Image

Can we add in this picture? Or do I need to get permission to add it in?

http://ubl.artistdirect.com/Images/artd/amg/music/bio/1734665_akon_200x200.jpg

67.83.134.87 01:01, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, Blame It on Me

Someone add a link to Sorry, Blame It on Me on the page please! -X34AkFan 14:12, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

CLUB AGE

I believe the age at the club was 21 or over. That's what the song says, and that's also what the following website says, (that she was under 21): [22]