Thug Life Army

SRC/Universal Motown Records recording artist Akon has proven he could more than “Smack That” album chart with an impressive first-week bow at #2 for his new album Konvicted, which did almost 300k in its first week, more than 12 times that of his 2004 platinum-plus debut Trouble, since it hit stores last Tuesday.

Hip-hop entrepreneur Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud and SRC Records whose discoveries include hip hop and rap notables Wu Tang Clan, Big Pun, Three 6 Mafia, Mobb Deep, Xzibit, Raekwon and Tha Alkaholiks, as well as patenting the guerilla marketing concept of “street teams,” signed the Senegal-born, N.J.-raised hip-hop star to his Steve Rifkind Company label.

Akon has obliterated any thoughts of a sophomore jinx with Konvicted, which has already produced two of the biggest crossover smashes on Rhythmic radio in “Smack That,” with Eminem, and “I Wanna Love You,” featuring Snoop Dogg.

He will battle it out with superstar rapper The Game’s Doctor’s Advocate for the top spot on next week’s sales chart.

Said SRC chief Rifkind: “Akon is one of the most versatile and talented personalities in all of hip-hop, with his skills on full display in these two records with Eminem and Snoop Dogg. Some of the biggest stars in rap and pop are lining up to work with him. His development since I signed him to the label has been nothing short of remarkable. I’ve seen a great deal in my hip-hop career, but the breakout of this album is unprecedented.”

“Smack That” recently set a Billboard Hot 100 record by jumping in one week, #95-7, the largest climb in the chart’s 48-year history, and “I Wanna Love You” is following in its footsteps.

After serving a three-year jail term for car theft, Akon’s SRC debut Trouble produced two Top 10 singles in “Locked Up” and “Lonely,” reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, #1 in the U.K. and domestic sales of 1.4 million.

Among the artists he’s worked with are Beenie Man, Obie Trice, Rick Ross, Alicia Keys, Monica, T-Pain, Baby Bash, Ruff Ryders, Brian McKnight, Youngbloodz, R. Kelly, Black Rob, Juvenile, Pras Michel and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Konvicted also features rappers Styles P and Brick & Lace. Akon contributed to Gwen Stefani’s new solo album, and is planning a full-length movie about his life, Money, Power, Respect: A Hustler’s Dream, for a theatrical release next year.

Visit AKON on line at http://www.akononline.com