Grammy-nominated singer Akon was briefly jailed last week in suburban Atlanta after authorities arrested him for failing to appear in court on a charge related to driving with a suspended license.
Police in Chamblee, Georgia, took the 52-year-old artiste—born Aliaune Damala Badara Akom Thiam—into custody on Friday after a traffic camera issued an alert for a white Tesla Cybertruck registered in his name. Officers found Akon at a local business, Tint World, confirmed his identity, and notified him of the outstanding warrant. According to police, he remained calm and acknowledged he was aware of the issue.
Akon was transported to the DeKalb County Jail before being handed over to Roswell police, who booked him into another facility. He posted bail and was released later that afternoon.
The warrant originated from a September 10 incident, when officers discovered Akon’s disabled Cybertruck blocking a busy roadway. A subsequent check revealed he lacked valid auto insurance and was driving with a suspended license tied to an earlier missed court date. The vehicle was impounded, and Akon was cited for driving without a valid license.
Authorities reported finding no weapons or contraband during the arrest. Jail records show he was booked around 12:30 p.m. and released by 6:30 p.m. the same day.
Akon’s representatives have not responded to media requests for comment. The singer, currently on tour in India, performed in Delhi two days after the arrest.
