Full name: Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam Stage name: Akon Born: April 16, 1973 Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Raised: Spent much of his childhood in Senegal before later living in New Jersey, USA. Height: About 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) Genres: R&B, hip hop, pop, Afrobeats Occupation: Singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur Years active: 1996–present Build: Lean, athletic, broad shoulders, fit physique. Skin Tone: Dark brown. Eyes: Dark brown, almond-shaped, expressive. Hair: Black, naturally short and tightly curled; usually worn closely cropped or shaved. Personality: Calm, confident, and approachable. Extremely hardworking and ambitious. Highly creative, especially in songwriting, producing, and business ventures. enjoys mentoring and developing other artists. Friendly, outgoing, and collaborative. Relaxed with a lighthearted sense of humor. Generally composed, optimistic, and resilient. Business-savvy, strategic, and innovative. Charismatic, generous, and professional. Patient, adaptable, and easygoing.