Akon news stories on Newser

Stars Remake 'We Are the World'

NxBigmouthery — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:56:29 CST

One hundred stars of stage and screen converged on Henson Studios in Los Angeles yesterday to record a new version of iconic 1985 hit "We Are the World." The all-new recording is designed to raise money for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Once again produced by Quincy Jones, the song features talents as...

Chris Brown to Perform at Jackson Tribute

Sarah Quinn — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:08:10 CDT

Chris Brown will take the stage at a Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna, the Mirror reports. Jackson's brother Jermaine says 25 performers are expected. So far, Mary J. Blige, Natalie Cole, Sister Sledge, Akon, and Angela Bassett are confirmed. More names will be announced this week. The artists will...

Was Jackson Healthy or On the Brink? Yes.

Drew Nelles — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:43:45 CDT

Was Michael Jackson happy and healthy, or drug-addled and depressed in his final days? Depends who you ask. The AP compiles a list of contradictory reports from the star’s inner circle: Concert promoter Randy Phillips initially told reporters Jackson was "a healthy, vibrant human being,” but later said he hired...

Whitney's Comeback Album Out Sept. 1

Ambreen Ali — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:33:02 CDT

Whitney Houston is releasing an album Sept. 1, and she's getting a little comeback help from today's R&B/hip-hop kings. The untitled Arista record is rumored to include collaborations with will.i.am, Sean Garett, and Akon, Billboard reports. During the run-up to the big release—her last effort was 2002's...

Hudson Returns to Idol, Barker to Price Is Right

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:28:32 CDT

Celebrities are returning to their roots today. Jennifer Hudson is taping a performance after tonight’s American Idol that will air on an upcoming episode, the AP reports, and Bob Barker is taping an appearance on The Price is Right to air April 16, according to Variety. Elsewhere: In more Idol...

Akon Pleads Guilty, Fined for Tossing Fan

Harry Kimball — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:47:55 CST

Singer Akon pleaded guilty today to charges stemming from a 2007 fan-tossing incident, TMZ reports. At a concert last year, the crooner grabbed a teenager and threw him from the stage; his guilty plea for harassment nets him a $350 fine and 65 hours of community service. Akon apologized, and...

Thriller Revives 'Prettiest Star'

Jonas Oransky — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:32:33 CST

Thriller 's 25th anniversary reissue shows why Michael Jackson was once "the coolest, slinkiest, prettiest pop star alive,” Rob Sheffield writes in Rolling Stone . Six “lame” remixes by stars like Fergie, Akon, and Kanye West apparently indicate the best-selling album of all time "cowed" the cover artists, who "know nobody...

Most-Traded Music, Movies and TV Shows of 2007

Laurel Jorgensen — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:28:15 CST

Forget box office numbers and Billboard charts: Wired reveals what people were really into last year by probing the action on peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. The year's most-traded files: Songs: Shop Boyz, "Party Like A Rock Star" Akon, "I Wanna Luv U" Sean Kingston, "Beautiful Girls" Movies: Resident Evil: Extinction Pirates...

Billboard Names 'Daughtry' the Year's #1 Album

Colleen Barry — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:58:32 CST

Billboard has declared "American Idol" alum Chris Daughtry the year's most popular artist, thanks to "Daughtry," his band's debut album, which has sold 3.2 million copies. Akon took second place with "Konvicted," which sold 2.7 million. Beyonce had the No. 1 single, "Irreplaceable," and the Police's reunion tour...