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Akon Status -  Quiet as it's kept Akon is one of the highest grossing hip hop artists in the business, but he didn't get there over night. Credited with more than 300 guest appearances on at least 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs, six Grammy nominations and production credits on hits for Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donis and Leona Lewis, the crooner has definitely earned his keep.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Coming of Age - Although born in St. Louis, Missouri, rapper Akon was raised in Senegal until age seven, when his family returned to the United States. His father, a jazz musician, settled the family in New Jersey where Akon discovered music.(Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

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Behind Bars - Akon got caught up in criminal activity as a young adult. He ultimately spent a combined total of three years in jail for alleged car theft. Once released he used ideas he had come up while imprisoned as a starting point for songs he began writing and recording. (Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup)

Photo By Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup

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Trouble - The music Akon recorded after his release from jail garnered him a record deal with SRC/Universal, which got behind his debut LP, Trouble, in June 2004. "Locked Up," an eclectic single off the album became a Billboard Hot 100 hit and made Akon a star.(Photo: Courtesy Universal Music Group)

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Locked Up - The success of "Locked Up" had everyone knocking on Akon's door for a collab. Another popular track was "Soul Survivor," which rapper Young Jeezy used as the second single off his classic major label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101. (Photo: Prince Williams/FilmMagic)

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Konvicted - Akon came with his sophomore album, the 3X platinum-selling Konvicted in November 2006. The album earned a Grammy nomination for "Smack That," featuring Eminem, which shared the top two spots on the Billboard charts with another Akon track: "I Wanna Love You," featuring Snoop Dogg.(Photo: Courtesy Universal Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Konvict Records

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Kon Live Distribution - In late 2006 Akon launched his own record label, Kon Live Distribution, in association with Interscope Records. The label is now the home of Colby O'Donis, Lady Gaga, and Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall among others. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

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Once in a Lifetime - In November 2007 Akon was blessed with the once in a lifetime opportunity to record the remix of "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" with Michael Jackson. The track became a part of the 25th anniversary release of MJ's Thriller in February 2008. (Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

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Going Gaga - In addition to working with artists like chart-topping Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis and New Kids on the Block, Akon also worked with his client Lady Gaga, penning for her what quite possibly might have been the largest smash to his credit, her 2008 debut single "Just Dance."     (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

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Freedom - In 2008 Akon released Freedom. With its distinctively Euro-vibe, Akon's third release notably did not carry the Parental Advisory warning which is typically a given for most hip hop albums. (Photo: Courtesy Universal Music Group)

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Akon X David Guetta - In 2009, Akon teamed up with French producer David Guetta on "Sexy Bitch," the second single off Guetta's fourth studio album, One Love. The club anthem was conceptualized and recorded on the same night that the pair met. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Stadium - In late 2009 Akon quietly announced Stadium, his yet to be released fourth studio album that is also rumored to be titled Akonic. The Senegalese singer appropriately sang the lead single "Angel" during the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show as the winged Vicki Angels struttted down the catwalk.  (Photo: Courtesy Universal Music Group)

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Cashing In - After Freedom, Akon maintained a relatively low profile, making behind-the-scenes moves, for good reason. Forbes magazine later revealed that the Senegalese star had grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008.  (Photo: Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

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Detox - Last year, Akon worked with legendary hip hop producer Dr. Dre on "Kush," one of the singles off Dre's forthcoming Detox album.  (Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)