Pop-rap star Akon has recently opened up about his younger years in a podcast hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN. The 50-year-old musician, born Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, was born to Senegalese parents in St. Louis, Missouri but considers Senegal to be his home.
In the podcast, Akon confessed that he had lied about being an “African prince” when he was young in order to feel accepted. He stated that his parents were wealthy and he was living in a three-story house in New Jersey with his older brother; he was just bored and wanted to feel special. The origin of the lie was due to being inspired by the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America.
Akon also spoke about his philanthropic endeavors. In 2014, he established the Akon Lighting Africa organization and in 2020, he revealed his plans to create Akon City, which will use his own cryptocurrency, Akoin. This was followed by his plans to create a second city in Uganda.
Unfortunately, earlier this year Akon, along with Lil Yachty, Soulja Boy and others, were charged with promoting “illegal” cryptocurrency promotions. Despite this, Akon has still been striving to make a difference in the world.
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