Aliaune Thiam or Akon -- grew up in Senegal before he and his family eventually settled in New Jersey. There he discovered hip-hop for the first time, and crime too, unfortunately. He was Konvicted, but he used the time to work on his musical ideas. Upon release, Akon began writing and recording songs in a home studio. He eventually recorded Trouble, Akon's first LP, in June 2004.