Akon Reveals How His Brothers Impersonated Him to Handle Concert Demand

Akon recently revealed that during the height of his early career, his brothers frequently stepped in as legal and sometimes unauthorized impersonators to perform his concerts. Appearing on the “Artist 2 Artist” podcast hosted by Jim Jones, the “Locked Up” singer explained that he was so overwhelmed by booking requests that he could not keep up with the demand.

He admitted that his brothers, Bu and Omar Thiam, took advantage of the situation because he was “leaving so much money on the table.” While Bu Thiam, a music executive, was reportedly transparent about taking specific gigs, Akon noted that his brother Omar operated with significantly more autonomy.

Akon described Omar as a “rebel” who would frequently book shows without the singer’s knowledge or consent. Akon recalled a specific incident in New York where rapper Foxy Brown told him she was attending his concert in South Carolina the following day. “I’m like, ‘I don’t have no concert in no South Carolina,’” Akon said during the interview. “She showed me the flyer and I was like, ‘N***a, this is Omar!’”

The physical resemblance between the brothers was apparently so striking that fans rarely questioned the swap. Akon noted that if an audience member had not seen him in person before, they would believe Omar was the real artist “1000%.” “Omar was running it up,” Akon said, laughing as he remembered how his brother “picked up so many bags” of cash from promoters.

Despite the unauthorized performances, Akon appeared lighthearted about the deception, viewing it as a byproduct of his massive success in the 2000s era. The vocalist, who is currently touring alongside R&B star Ne-Yo on the “Nights Like This Tour,” has remained a prominent figure in the music industry for over two decades. In recent years, he has gained additional attention for his entrepreneurial efforts and his open discussions regarding his personal life and polygamous lifestyle.

While performing as a double might seem unusual, Akon suggested it was a practical, albeit chaotic, solution to a schedule that had become impossible for one person to manage. He clarified that while Bu was “real honest” about the arrangements, Omar’s “gangsta” approach to the business meant the singer often discovered the shows after they had already happened.

Bu Thiam has since become a powerhouse in the music industry in his own right, serving in high-level executive roles at various major labels and managing some of the biggest names in hip-hop.