Akon has just signed gospel rapper Mali Music onto his Konvict Muzik label. And if the rapper/producer's taste and judgment in finding new talent is the same as its been in the past (he executively signed T-Pain and Lady Gaga), prepare to hear more from Mali Music in the future. His latest album will drop in the first quarter of 2012.

“He’s a mogul,” Mali Music says of Akon. “He’s done so much and it’s just a blessing that he was affected and impacted by the ministry and by the songs.”

(Photo: John Ricard)