American-Senegalese rapper Akon was arrested in Georgia on November 7 over an outstanding bench warrant tied to a suspended driver’s license, a setback that unfolded just months after his wife of nearly three decades filed for divorce, authorities confirmed amid scrutiny of the star’s $50 million empire built on music and ventures.
The 51-year-old artist, born Aliaune Thiam and famed for hits like “Locked Up” and “Lonely,” was detained in DeKalb County following a routine check that flagged the warrant, stemming from a missed court date in January 2023. The citation originated from a September traffic stop where Akon was pulled over in a stalled Tesla Cybertruck that had run out of battery, leading to his release at the scene but escalating when he skipped the hearing.
No further criminal charges were levied, and the matter was handled administratively, per police records.
The incident caps a turbulent period for Akon, whose spouse Tomeka Thiam lodged divorce papers on September 11 in Gwinnett County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences mere days before their 29th anniversary. The couple shares a 17-year-old daughter, Journey, adding to Akon’s nine children from various relationships.
Akon’s net worth, pegged at $50 million by Celebrity Net Worth, reflects royalties from chart-topping tracks, touring hauls, and label imprints like Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution — which launched Lady Gaga. His portfolio spans production credits, tech investments, fashion lines, mining operations, and the ambitious Akon City project in Senegal, a $6 billion smart city initiative.
The singer, who has openly discussed practicing polygamy, has not publicly addressed the arrest or divorce, leaving fans to ponder the fallout for a career that peaked with annual earnings of $12-21 million between 2008 and 2011.
