'Konvicted' in the Hangar

Don't be too upset if you can't squirm your way to the front row at Akon's one-night-only stop in Israel - chances are, you might just be safer that way.

konvicted 88 (photo credit: )
konvicted 88
(photo credit: )
Don't be too upset if you can't squirm your way to the front row at Akon's one-night-only stop in Israel - chances are, you might just be safer that way. The naughty R & B singer, born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, is a Senegalese-American who rose to fame in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That." Akon has gained notoriety for his behavior during live performances: engaging in sexually explicit dance moves with a 14-year old girl and tossing an unfortunate audience member from the stage. His newly released single, "Sorry, Blame It On Me," which made it to the top of the iTunes download playlist this week, is a genius publicity move in the garb of an apology to the young girl and Gwen Stefani (the headliner of the show) for the incident, though he cites the club for admitting the girl even though she was under 21, and the parents for letting her go out. The singer, who has sold over 6.5 million albums worldwide to date, will be performing some of his biggest hits at Tel Aviv's Hangar 11 at 8 p.m - tickets cost NIS 199 each and the venue is standing-only so if you're feeling brave, come early to get to the front of the pack. Opening acts will be Sean Paul wannabe Alon de Loco and Israeli hip hop favorite Subliminal and his crew TACT. For details and tickets, visit www.hadran.co.il.