PR TIMES AFRICA PRTimesAfrica (March 2016) | Page 12

LET THERE BE LIGHT:
AKON LIGHTING
UP AFRICA
Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam who
is better known by his stage name Akon, which has become synonymous with that
uniquely silky voice that has dominated the airwaves around the world for more than
a decade. Aliaune was born on 16th April, 1973 in the United States but spent his
childhood in Kaolack, Senegal. Born to a percussionist father and dancer mother, Ali-
aune learnt to play five instruments in his earlier years. He returned to the United
States at the age of seven where he grew to adulthood, being exposed to various
influences ranging from the difficulties of settling into life in the US and splitting his
time between Senegal and the US to being exposed to the crime scene in New Jersey.
Akon spent some years in jail, for his involvement in a car theft ring, and this helped
him better appreciate his music background and abilities while he further honed his
12 | PRTIMES AFRICA MARCH 2016