Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. An influential figure in modern world music, he rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of his debut single "Locked Up" and its follow up, "Lonely." Styled in hip hop and R&B respectively, both songs preceded the release of his debut studio album Trouble (2004), which became his commercial breakthrough.