Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, also known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and actor from New Jersey. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first single from his debut album Trouble, followed by the second single "Lonely."He later founded two successful record labels, Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution. The labels served as vital for many soon-to-be successful acts, such as Lady Gaga, T-Pain, R. City, Kardinal Offishall, Jeffree Star, and Red Caf, among others. His second album, Konvicted, received three nominations for the Grammy Awards, Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You". The album spawned four top-ten hits in the US, "Smack That," "I Wanna Love You," "Don't Matter," and "Sorry, Blame It on Me." His third studio album Freedom was lead by the single "Right Now."He is the first solo artist to hold both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.