Fears abound that the United States-based Senegalese R&B singer could face problems with the Immigration Department because of his previous criminal convictions. According to the Immigration Act, someone who was once convicted of a specified crime, regardless of where this was, is prohibited from entering Zimbabwe unless special arrangements have been made.
Some of the offences cited include treason, sedition of public violence, rape, theft, fraud, robbery and dealing in or being in possession of dangerous or habit-forming drugs or being in possession of any pipes or other utensils used in connection with the smoking of such drugs.
Akon, whose real name is Alliuane Badara Thiam, spent five years in prison — six months on drug charges, 18 months for auto theft and three years for armed robbery. In December 2007, Akon was arraigned in the town of Fishkill Court on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, a misdemeanor, and second degree harassment and a violation.
He has since rehabilitated himself to become a role model for youths.
Previously, some musicians who were convicted in their country for various offences have performed in Zimbabwe after the organisers held talks with the Immigration Department.
Under such circumstances, the department would give Akon a "special dispensation" status.
A spokesperson for the organisers said: "We have written a letter to the Immigration Department about the issue and everything is above board.
"Akon is coming to Zimbabwe and one of his requirements was that we advertise the show two months in advance and as you are aware we have done that. We have also done the same in Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana and Zambia.
"On the other hand, I am also waiting for his band members to submit their names and passport numbers. The concert will go on as scheduled," the spokesperson said.
Assistant Regional Immigration Officer Evans Siziba yesterday confirmed that any person who has previous convictions would be deported.
"As a department somebody who is a criminal or once convicted of a specified crime is prohibited from entering the country," he said.
The spokesperson said the launch of the show where all stakeholders would be briefed on the direction, design and scope of the concert will be held next week in Harare.
Siziba confirmed that the organisers of the concert had approached the department on the issue and were dealing with it.
Akon is likely to be granted a "special status" by the department to stage his concert.
Born on October 14, 1981 in St Louis, Missouri, Akon was raised in Dakar, Senegal, as the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam.
According to online reports, he grew up in Senegal until he was seven, split time between Senegal and the US until he was 15, then his family permanently moved to Jersey City, New Jersey.
In Jersey City he attended Snyder High School, where he discovered hip-hop music.
His first song was entitled "Operations of Nature", which he recorded at the age of 15.
He was, however, jailed for armed robbery and drug distribution, and used his time in prison to work on his music.
On his release, Akon began writing and recording tracks in his home studio.
His solo debut album, "Trouble", was released on June 29 2004. It spawned the hit singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely," as well as "Belly Dancer (Bananza)," "Pot Of Gold," and "Ghetto."
"Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the US and the top five in the UK, and was written after Akon served time in jail.
When his manager Robert Montanez was shot to death following a dispute in New Jersey in December 2005, Akon released the song "Ghetto," which became a radio hit when it was remixed to include verses from legendary rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. In 2005, he released the single "Lonely".
The song reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Australia, the UK and Germany.
His album also climbed to number one in the UK in April, 2005.
When music channel The Box had a top 10 weekly chart, which was calculated by the amount of video requests, Akon’s "Lonely" became the longest running single on the top of the chart, spanning over 15 weeks.
In 2005, Akon gained more popularity after being featured on Young Jeezy’s debut album, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, on the song "Soul Survivor" which became a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Akon released the album, Konvicted, on November 14, 2006. Konvicted included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Styles P.
Late August 2006, he released the single "Smack That" featuring Eminem, from the album. This single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for five weeks.
In January 2007, Akon released his third single "Don’t Matter" which so far has reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Konvicted debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 285 000 copies in its first week.
After only six weeks, Konvicted sold more than one million records in the US and more than 1,3 million worldwide.
The album has continued to stay in the top 20 of the Billboard 200 after 14 weeks, and it peaked on three consecutive weeks, not including its debut.
Currently it has sold more than 1,5 million records in the US and 2,2 million worldwide.