Akon has shifted his focus from music to entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors, particularly in Africa with his Akon Lighting Africa project.
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, known mononymously as Akon, rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like “Locked Up” and “Smack That.” After his initial success in the music industry, Akon’s presence in the rap and R&B scene has become less prominent in terms of releasing new chart-topping music. However, he has not disappeared from the public eye.
In recent years, Akon has been more active as a businessman and philanthropist than as a rapper. One of his most notable ventures is the Akon Lighting Africa project, which he co-founded in 2014. The initiative aims to provide electricity by solar energy in Africa and has already brought solar street lights and small energy systems to 18 countries on the continent, improving the lives of millions of people.
Moreover, Akon has been involved in other entrepreneurial projects, including launching his own cryptocurrency called Akoin, which is part of his plan to build a futuristic city in Senegal, known as Akon City. The proposed city is designed to be a sustainable, eco-friendly, and crypto-based city, which will operate on the Akoin ecosystem.
While Akon’s musical output has decreased, he occasionally releases new music and collaborates with other artists. His shift towards business and philanthropy, however, indicates a broadening of his career interests beyond the music industry. Akon’s work, especially in Africa, has garnered him respect and recognition for his efforts to improve the lives of people through sustainable development and empowerment.