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The Senegalese rapper Akon moved to Jersey City with his percussionist father at the age of seven. This goes a long way to explaining your initial reaction to Akon hits. The man's got one of the most unique voices in hip-hop. At times warm and silky, other times hard and arrhythmic, an Akon track slices through urban radio like an exotic breeze. Plus, listening to the cuts on Akon's debut, Trouble, you can tell that he's lived his stories. And unlike other contemporary rappers, he's not necessarily proud of everything he did. Jersey City opened Akon's eyes to the exciting world of America hip-hop, but it also offered him the more immediate world of street crime. After going to jail several times for petty crime, Akon was busted for three years on a grand theft auto charge. He did his time and got out with a head full of thoughtful rhymes on themes like consequence and the things people will do out of necessity. His debut disc featured the hypnotic single "Bananza (Belly Dancer)" that saw Akon's playful vocals twisted up in hip-shaking raga beats. Recently he's been on the charts again thanks to the preview single off his hot anticipated new disc Konvicted. The single, "Smack That," features Eminem and broke records by shooting from #95 to #7 in one week on the Hot 100 chart. Proving himself an entrepreneur as well as a mic talent, Akon founded his own label with plans to release the debut solo album from TLC's Chili, which will be produced by Missy Elliott. Akon continues to release smash singles off his Konvincted album. He also appears as a guest artist on songs by heavy-weight hitters like Gwen Stefani,Young Jeezy, Bone Thugs-In-Harmony and many more.

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