Akon, the Senegalese-American singer known for hits like "Smack That" and his contribution to Shah Rukh Khan's "Ra.One", was arrested near Atlanta, Georgia, last week. The arrest occurred because he failed to appear in court regarding a ticket he received for driving with a suspended license.
The Chamblee Police Department took Akon, whose legal name is Aliaune Badara Thiam, into custody on Friday after a Flock camera system identified his vehicle, a white 2024 Tesla Cybertruck, as being linked to an outstanding warrant. The incident occurred when officers responded to a business called Tint World on Chamblee Dunwoody Road. Upon arrival, they found Akon standing near the vehicle and confirmed his identity using his driver's license photo.
According to the police report, Akon remained calm and informed the officers that he was aware of the warrant. He was handcuffed, searched for weapons, and detained while the officers verified the warrant with the Roswell Police Department. After confirmation, he was officially placed under arrest. No weapons or contraband were found during the search. Akon was then taken to the DeKalb County Jail and subsequently transferred to the Smyrna City Jail, where he was booked on a failure to appear charge related to the suspended license. He was released after posting bail the same day.
The initial incident that led to the warrant occurred on September 10 when Roswell police officers found Akon stranded in his Tesla Cybertruck on Holcomb Bridge Road after the vehicle's battery died. A check of the vehicle's registration revealed that Akon had no valid insurance and was driving with a suspended license dating back to January 2023. He was cited for driving with a suspended license, and the Cybertruck was impounded. Police also seized an illegal vape from the vehicle.
Akon, who rose to fame with his 2004 debut album, has had a successful career with multiple Top 10 hits and a Grammy nomination. Beyond his music, he is known for his philanthropic work and music ventures in Africa. He is currently on tour in India and performed in Delhi on Sunday, just two days after his arrest near Atlanta.
Representatives for Akon have not yet released a statement regarding the arrest.
