Grammy-Nominated Singer Detained in Georgia
International recording artist Akon found himself experiencing a real-life version of his hit song 'Locked Up' after being arrested and jailed in DeKalb County, Georgia last week. The 52-year-old singer, whose real name is Aliaune Thiam, was taken into custody by Chamblee Police Department officers on Friday morning and spent six hours behind bars before being released.
How the Arrest Unfolded
The chain of events began when Flock security cameras alerted police that a vehicle registered to someone with an outstanding arrest warrant was present at Tint World, an auto styling centre. According to the official arrest report obtained by The Independent, Akon remained calm during the apprehension and informed officers he was aware of the existing warrant against him.
The warrant originated from an incident two months earlier in Roswell, Georgia, where police had discovered the singer driving with a suspended license. This previous encounter occurred in September when officers found Akon stranded on the road due to a dead battery in his Tesla Cybertruck.
During that September incident, police not only towed his vehicle but also discovered his license had been suspended for failure to appear in court back in January 2023. Officers issued him a citation, confiscated his license, and took possession of an illegal vape device found in the centre console of his car.
Response from Akon's Representatives
Akon has maintained public silence regarding his recent arrest, continuing his social media activity as usual - even posting a video captioned 'It's a beautiful day' shortly after the incident. However, his representatives have addressed the situation, attributing the arrest to what they describe as a clerical error.
A spokesperson stated: 'Due to a clerical issue the suspended license should have never been escalated, it was paid but not properly entered into the system. This will be soon rectified in the courts in early December.'
The singer is currently proceeding with his scheduled tour in India, demonstrating that the brief incarceration hasn't disrupted his professional commitments.
Context: Akon's Complicated Relationship with Law Enforcement
This recent incident adds another chapter to Akon's complex history with legal authorities. During his rise to fame in the early 2000s, the artist famously claimed in multiple interviews that he was a convicted felon and had once led a car theft ring.
However, a 2008 investigation by The Smoking Gun revealed that the singer had largely fictionalised his criminal past. While he has been arrested six times previously, his only felony conviction stems from a 1998 guilty plea for gun possession in New Jersey, which resulted in three years of probation.
The arrest comes during a challenging period for the artist, following his wife Tomeka Thiam filing for divorce in September after 28 years of marriage. The father of nine is seeking joint legal custody and sole physical custody of their 17-year-old daughter, along with spousal support.
