SIGNING LADY GAGA MAY LET AKON RETIRE!!

Akon is considering an early retirement thanks to Lady Gaga - because signing the pop sensation to his record label has set him up financially for life.

Akon signed the Poker Face hitmaker to his KonLive label at Interscope Records in 2007 after she was dropped by another of the company's imprints.

GaGa's Grammy-winning hits have gone on to dominate music charts across the globe, and Akon admits he could quit his own career for good and continue to live in luxury thanks to the lucrative deal.

Recalling his agreement with Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine, Akon tells the Associated Press, "I was like, 'Yo, I want to sign that right there. She needs to be under my umbrella. Jimmy was like, 'Yeah, whatever you want. Take her. Let's get it done.' And she just blossomed into a super megastar, man.

"She's pretty much retired me. She was definitely a blessing. She came at the right moment. I'm glad I believed in her, boy. That goes to show you, if you believe in something strong enough, it will pay off."

AKON REMEMBERS HIS GENTLE FRIEND MICHAEL JACKSON.

Akon has recorded tracks with some of the biggest and brightest stars in music. But there's one star who was bigger and brighter than all the rest: Michael Jackson. In 2007, Akon spent time in a Las Vegas studio with the King of Pop, writing and recording songs for what Jackson intended to be his comeback album. Nearly three years later, only two of those songs have surfaced: a remix of Jackson's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" that appeared on the 25th anniversary edition of MJ's Thriller album and "Hold My Hand," a track featuring both artists (but written by Claude Kelly), that made the file-sharing rounds last year. Hear the interview from MTV.

I WILL BE A GRANDMOTHER SOON. THANKS TO MY SON AKON!

Word on the Celebrity Snitch Circuit claims that Akon is expecting his sixth child with a Ugandan woman named Susan Owori. Akon reportedly impregnanted Susan, the younger sister of fashion designer Sylvie Owori, during a tour of the country earlier this year. Akon — whose real name is Aliaune Thiam — previously revealed that he has fathered five children with three different women.

That makes 6 kids with 4 baby mamas. Since I have already adopted Akon with his lookalike brother KJ the kid Reporter, that makes me a grandma to be!

AKON BEATS THE THROWING KID CASE....A LITTLE!!

I wanna throw KJ the kid reporter and Akon both!........As far as I am concerned, I am both their mom! See more lookalike pictures that KJ won $500 for looking like Akon at his world renowned blog thekidreporter.com

AKON GETTING INTO LATIN MUSIC.

When 50 Cent teamed up with Wisin y Yandel to collaborate on the reggaeton duo’s single, “Mujeres en el Club,” he may have started a trend, as more urban artists seem to be popping up on Spanish-language tracks. Now Akon has joined in, making his foray into the Latin genre by dropping not one but two new singles. The hitmaker recently recorded a remix of his latest smash “Beautiful”, featuring Spanish vocals by ex-RBD member Dulce Maria. And last week he joined Bachata stars Aventura to shoot a video in Miami for their blazing new single “All Up to You,” along with Wisin y Yandel. “Working with Akon, it was an experience,”

Aventura frontman Romeo told MTV News from the video set. “We’ve never worked with an artist this huge.” According to Romeo, it was Akon who first approached the Bronx, New York-based foursome about working together. And when we asked Akon if we could expect to see more of these collaborations, he said it was only the beginning. “I think you’re gonna see a lot more of that kind of [collaboration between] the whole hip-hop, R&B and the Latino community,” Akon said at last month’s Billboard Latin Music Awards, where he performed the song live. “We were always connected, we just never actually worked together. So now we’re going to start doing that.”

AKON: 'I'D WORK WITH BROWN'

My man R&B hitmaker AKON is refusing to turn his back on beleaguered singer CHRIS BROWN, insisting he'd be happy to collaborate with the troubled teen. A number of stars have spoken out to condemn Brown, who is facing two charges relating to an alleged fight with Rihanna after a Grammys party last month (08Feb09).

But Akon refuses to let the 19 year old's personal problems get in the way of making good music. He says, "Oh, absolutely! I wouldn't take anybody's personal issues or problems. I won't hold them accountable for that when it comes to work. I think it's two separate things." The 31-year-old star isn't a stranger to scandal; in 2007 he was criticised for simulating sex onstage with the 15-year-old daughter of a preacher. Later the same year, he was charged with throwing a minor from a stage at a concert in New York.

Akon better get in the studio and reload that song "Locked up" with Chris Brown.

Akon (Feat. Colby O’ Donis & Kardinal Offishall) - Beautiful.

Colby is so hot in that video. He was here two weeks ago and arrived so late that I was too tired to go see him. They were shooting this video the next day I believe.

AKON SAYS JACKO IS NEVER GONNA TOUR AGAIN!

R&B singer AKON is convinced pop superstar MICHAEL JACKSON will never commit to another world tour - because constant media intrusion has destroyed his confidence. The Thriller hitmaker has been the centre of growing speculation he is about to stage a comeback tour, with internet gossips suggesting he is lining up a series of dates for 2009. But Akon, who got to know Jackson after they teamed up to record a collaboration last year (07), admits that although the star is capable of putting on performances similar to those of his 1980s heyday, he will never tour again because the negative press coverage throughout his career has left him unable to "focus".

He tells WENN, "All of the good artists suffer from it these days. That's why they disappear and you've got people who don't even deserve to be there up there (in the charts) and people get tired and bored of that. "If you want quality concerts and quality performances they (the media) have to lay off people. Michael Jackson is the best performer ever and he can't even focus - you will never see another tour from him. (The media intrusion) plays a big role in that. "It affects the people they're writing about. It's a lot to do with Michael Jackson not coming out and being open.

"I think all he needs is a record, one hit record then he might get his confidence back." And Akon is adamant that the public can already see the damage media influence can do to stars - insisting the constant presence of the paparazzi was one of the major reasons for Britney Spears' January (08) breakdown. But the Smack That hitmaker is pleased the singer looks as if she has put her troubles behind her. He adds, "I really hope she is now here to stay. I'm pleased her album is doing so well. It's really neat of her to make a comeback."

Akon - Inside The Studio + ‘Im So Paid’ Video Stills

The still pictures are HOT! You can see them here at our sister site thehiphopchronicle U.K