35-year-old hip hop sensation Akon has drawn fans around the world to his rap music. They like his in-your-face lyrics and are intrigued by his history of thugdom (always a must for a successful rapper's reputation!)
The Sengalese-born rapper has puffed up his street cred with two top-selling albums, as well as with interviews, in which he described his 4-1/2 years in the "Big House."
It was during this time that he allegedly started creating rap songs.
It turns out that Akon may have been "embellishing" on his life story. His past criminal exploits were limited to a gun possession charge and stealing a BMW. He got no time for the first charge and charges were eventually dropped for the second offense, though he did spend a couple of months behind bars for that one.
This guy is a performer who has sold millions of albums, gotten major respect from the hip hop community, been on the covers of top music industry magazines and received accolades for his work, all fueled by their belief in his checkered past.
While Akon may have been a petty criminal, he never even came close to being the major "gangsta" he claims to be.
Charles Out of Charge 
