Akon

Solo Artist

Photo: MONUSCO · CC BY-SA 2.0
Active 2004-present
Origin St. Louis, Missouri
Albums 6
Tracks 69
Most frequent collaborator Giorgio Tuinfort · 8 tracks
Genres R&BHip HopPopDance-Pop
Complete Artist
100%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 69 of 69 tracks

Does Akon write his own songs?

Yes. Akon is credited on essentially 100% of his catalogue, writing his own hooks and verses, and he is also a prolific writer and producer for other artists. Songs like 'Lonely,' 'Smack That,' and 'Don't Matter' are his, usually co-written with the producers who build the tracks.

By the Numbers

6
Studio Albums
69
Tracks Credited
100%
Self-Written
22
Years Active
154
Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 69 / 69 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 69 tracks: how many Akon wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

Akon has a writing credit100%
10%
90%
Sole author7tracks10%
Co-written62tracks90%
Outside writers0tracks0%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

Lyricist Performer Composer Producer
Akon's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 69 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)100%
Composer (music)100%
Producer62%
Performer93%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

Akon's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
2004Trouble
2006Konvicted
2008Freedom
2019El Negreeto
2019Akonda
2026Beautiful Day
Early · 100% written
Mid · 100% written
Late · 100% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

100%
2000s
Trouble, Konvicted +1 more
100%
2010s
El Negreeto, Akonda
100%
2020s
Beautiful Day

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where Akon sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

Akon
Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

EXO8%
The Pussycat Dolls21%
Rihanna44%
Kelly Rowland53%
Destiny's Child69%
Ariana Grande80%
Chris Brown91%
100%Akon
Pure Performer0%
Songwriter~50%
Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

Lonely
Trouble
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Bobby Vinton, Gene Allan
Co-wrote
I Wanna Love You
Konvicted
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Cordozar Broadus Jr.
Co-wrote
Don't Matter
Konvicted
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Bob Marley, A. Lawson
Co-wrote
Smack That
Konvicted
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Marshall Mathers, Luis Resto, Mike Strange
Co-wrote
Right Now (Na Na Na)
Freedom
Written by Aliaune Thiam
Wrote it
Beautiful
Freedom
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Jaylien Wesley, Colby O'Donis Colón, Jason Harrow
Co-wrote
I'm So Paid
Freedom
Written by Aliaune Thiam, Noel Fisher, Dwayne Carter Jr., Jay Jenkins
Co-wrote

Discography 6 albums

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

Akon69 tracks
8Giorgio Tuinfort, 8 tracks CM8Carlos Mendoza, 8 tracks 8Maffio, 8 tracks 8Nektunez, 8 tracks BD3Benny D, 3 tracks D3Detail, 3 tracks S3Samklef, 3 tracks HA2Hakim Abdulsamad, 2 tracks T2T-Pain, 2 tracks CK2Claude Kelly, 2 tracks NK2Nadir Khayat, 2 tracks R2RedOne, 2 tracks YO2Yulien Oviedo, 2 tracks P2Pitbull, 2 tracks MW2Matthew Weiss, 2 tracks O2Olamide, 2 tracks P2Pheelz, 2 tracks AB2Afro B, 2 tracks TS2Team Salut, 2 tracks JR2J.R. Rotem, 2 tracks DG1Dwight Grant, 1 track RT1Ricardo Thomas, 1 track LG1Lynval Golding, 1 track TH1Terence Hall, 1 track NS1Neville Staples, 1 track TP1Torrey Pettigrew, 1 track JM1Jonathan Mann, 1 track DS1Darrick Stephens, 1 track DT1Daddy T, 1 track P1Picklehead, 1 track D1Devyne, 1 track BD1Benny Darius, 1 track SW1Shakim Williams, 1 track BV1Bobby Vinton, 1 track GA1Gene Allan, 1 track DD1Disco D, 1 track L1Lawson, 1 track BB1Bryan Boylai, 1 track DS1David Styles, 1 track SP1Styles P, 1 track MM1Marshall Mathers, 1 track on Eminem's page LR1Luis Resto, 1 track MS1Mike Strange, 1 track E1Eminem, 1 track CB1Cordozar Broadus Jr., 1 track SD1Snoop Dogg, 1 track DR1Dwight Reynolds, 1 track TT1Theron Thomas, 1 track TT1Timothy Thomas, 1 track SC1S. Crocker, 1 track KB1Keon Bryce, 1 track SS1Steve Skinner, 1 track DB1Dalton Brownie, 1 track BD1Bobby Dixon, 1 track ED1Everold Dwyer, 1 track PE1Paul Elton, 1 track BG1Bruce Gowdy, 1 track TO1Tilmann Otto, 1 track DR1Dave Richards, 1 track TN1T. Nielsen, 1 track RR1Rune Rask, 1 track T1Troo.L.S, 1 track R1Rusk, 1 track HB1H. Banks, 1 track CH1C. Hampton, 1 track RJ1R. Jackson, 1 track BB1Brian Boulai, 1 track SP1Skip Prokop, 1 track BM1Bob Marley, 1 track AL1A. Lawson, 1 track JW1Jaylien Wesley, 1 track CO1Colby O'Donis Colón, 1 track JH1Jason Harrow, 1 track J1Jaylien, 1 track CO1Colby O'Donis, 1 track KO1Kardinal Offishall, 1 track M"1Mark "Exit" Goodchild, 1 track TW1Timothy Walls, 1 track K1K-Figz, 1 track SR1Sweet Rush, 1 track DC1Dwayne Carter Jr., 1 track JJ1Jay Jenkins, 1 track LW1Lil Wayne, 1 track YJ1Young Jeezy, 1 track FR1Frank Romano, 1 track D"1David "Preach" Balfour, 1 track EL1E. Lavender, 1 track RL1Ray Lavender, 1 track LC1Lamont Coleman, 1 track NJ1Neluset Jean, 1 track L1LoGiC, 1 track WJ1Wyclef Jean, 1 track AC1Armando C. Pérez, 1 track DS1Daniel Santacruz, 1 track JP1Jimmy Paul Thornfeldt, 1 track JG1Jorge Gomez, 1 track JG1Jose Garcia, 1 track I1IAmChino, 1 track JJ1Jimmy Joker, 1 track RG1Rebbeca Gomez, 1 track MM1Mauricio Montaner, 1 track RM1Ricky Montaner, 1 track JL1Jon Leone, 1 track CE1Camilo Echeverry, 1 track MY1Mau y Ricky, 1 track BG1Becky G, 1 track AA1Alejandra Alberti, 1 track EE1Erika Ender, 1 track KG1Karloff Gaitan, 1 track LM1Larissa Machado, 1 track A1Anitta, 1 track MR1Milton Restituyo, 1 track RP1Richard Pena, 1 track MD1Miguel Duran Jr., 1 track PP1Pedro Polanco, 1 track CR1Carlos Rosado, 1 track F1Farruko, 1 track IP1Isreal Palma, 1 track YT1Yonathan Then, 1 track D1DeeVee, 1 track KD1Kizz Daniel, 1 track YJ1Young Jonn, 1 track S1Skales, 1 track JW1Jerry Wonda, 1 track AA1Arden Altino, 1 track GW1Gabriel Wood, 1 track GP1Glen Patnelli, 1 track EE1Emmanuel Ezeonyebuchi, 1 track JE1Jermaine Edwards, 1 track JS1Jaiden Simien, 1 track KS1Kamrein Simien, 1 track TS1Taedyn Simien, 1 track S1SIMIEN, 1 track B1B'z, 1 track EP1Edwin Paredes, 1 track JC1Jeremy Costier, 1 track O1Ochok, 1 track LT1Lance Taylor, 1 track PJ1Patrick Juteh Geegbae, 1 track YG1Yei Gonzalez, 1 track R1RMR, 1 track AJ1Andrew Johnson, 1 track DJ1Diego Jose Cocco Troncoso, 1 track DM1Dcember Moon, 1 track W1WINDR, 1 track MO1Manny Olmos, 1 track J1Jahvor, 1 track O1Ozuna, 1 track SM1Stephen Marley, 1 track KA1Karla A Elie, 1 track

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. Showing the 150 most frequent of 152. CM Carlos Mendoza · BD Benny D · D Detail

Photo credits

Portraits in the web and the rail come from Wikimedia Commons. The artist's own photo carries its credit under the picture.

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

Akon writes the bulk of his own material and is credited as a writer on virtually every song he releases, frequently alongside the producers he works with. Beyond his own albums he was a prolific writer and producer for other artists in the late 2000s, which is reflected in how often his name (often credited as Aliaune Thiam) appears in writing credits. The data shows a genuine songwriter-producer rather than a performer reliant on outside writing rooms.

Quick Facts

  • KonvictedHis 2006 album is certified triple platinum and reached number two on the Billboard 200
  • HitmakerWrote and produced for others, and co-wrote Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance'
  • Star makerSigned Lady Gaga and T-Pain to his labels
  • Grammy nodsNominated for Grammy Awards, including for 'Smack That' and Konvicted
  • Ringtone kingGuinness-listed as the top-selling master ringtone artist, with 11 million sold by 2007

Creative Fingerprint

A hitmaker credited on all his own work: Akon is credited on about 100% of his catalogue, writing his own hooks and verses, always alongside producers, while also writing and producing hits for other stars.

The Story

Akon is a Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, and producer who became one of the dominant hitmakers of the mid-2000s with singles like 'Locked Up,' 'Smack That,' and 'Don't Matter.' Founder of the Konvict Muzik label, he was a ubiquitous guest vocalist and writer-producer behind hits for other artists during the era. His later catalog turned toward Afrobeats, Latin, and dance-pop sounds.

Awards & Recognition

Konvicted (2006) is certified triple platinum and reached number two on the Billboard 200
Nominated for Grammy Awards, including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for 'Smack That'
Guinness-listed as the top-selling master ringtone artist in the world
A prolific hitmaker who co-wrote and produced for artists including Lady Gaga

Frequently Asked Questions Akon

Does Akon write his own songs?
Yes. Akon is credited on essentially 100% of his catalogue, writing his own hooks and verses, and he is also a prolific writer and producer for other artists. Songs like 'Lonely,' 'Smack That,' and 'Don't Matter' are his, usually co-written with the producers who build the tracks.
Who did Akon discover?
Akon signed both Lady Gaga and T-Pain to his labels early in their careers. He also co-wrote @@mdlink0@@'s debut hit 'Just Dance,' showing his impact as a behind-the-scenes hitmaker as well as a performer.
Who wrote 'Smack That'?
'Smack That,' from Konvicted (2006), was written by Akon and features Eminem. Produced with a catchy synth hook, it became one of his biggest hits and earned a Grammy nomination.
Who wrote 'Lonely'?
'Lonely,' from his debut Trouble (2004), was written by Akon and built on a sped-up sample of Bobby Vinton's 'Mr. Lonely.' It became his breakthrough international hit.
How successful was Konvicted?
Konvicted (2006) was Akon's biggest album, certified triple platinum with hits 'Smack That,' 'I Wanna Love You,' and 'Don't Matter.' It cemented him as one of the top hitmakers of the late 2000s.
How many albums has Akon released?
This catalogue covers his studio albums from Trouble (2004) through Beautiful Day (2026), including the blockbuster Konvicted and his Spanish- and African-language projects El Negreeto and Akonda.
Is Akon a songwriter for other artists?
Yes, extensively. Beyond his own hits, Akon wrote and produced for many acts and co-wrote Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance.' Songwriting and label-building are as central to his career as his own singles.
What genre is Akon?
Akon makes R&B, hip-hop, and dance-pop with West African influences, known for melodic, auto-tuned hooks on hits like 'Lonely' and 'Right Now (Na Na Na).'

Sources

Wikipedia: Akon Akon - MONUSCO on Flickr