Akon is a musician .
Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam -LRB- born April 16 , 1973 -RRB- , better known as Akon -LRB- pronounced -LSB- ˈeɪkɒn -RSB- -RRB- , is an American singer , rapper , songwriter , businessman , record producer and actor of Senegalese descent .