AKON is an award-winning Senegalese-American multi-platinum recording artist, singer, producer, entrepreneur, actor, and philanthropist best known for dominating Billboard charts with a unique sound that transcends the R&B/Hip-Hop, EDM Dance, and Pop genres. AKON is the founder of three major recording labels - Konlive, Konvict Kulture and KONVICT Music - that launched the careers of global artists like T-Pain, Lady Gaga, and Kardinal Offishall. Over two decades, he has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, earned five Grammy nominations, released 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs, and made over 300 guest appearances for generational icons such as Michael Jackson, David Guetta, Gwen Stefani, Lil' Wayne, and Eminem. His many accolades include an American Music Award for "Favorite R&B Male Artist;" three World Music Awards for "Best Selling African Artist," "Best Selling Internet Artist," and "Best Selling R&B Male Artist;" a Billboard Music Award for "Artist of the Year;" and a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the #1 selling artist for master ringtones. He is the first solo artist in history to garner the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2010, Forbes listed him among the top Celebrity 100 (2010) and Pepsi approached him to produce/record "Oh Africa" for the 2010 World Cup. Philanthropic passions led him to give back to his homeland through the creation of TheKonfidence Foundation, benefitting underserved children in Africa and the U.S. He also launched a partnership to bring electricity to one million African households by the end of 2014. In 2018, he launched Akoin, a new cryptocurrency aiming to help further African communities by empowering economic development.