Akon Lied About Criminal Past

Though his 2004 break out hit, "Locked Up," resonated with fans for its gritty real-life lyrics, R&B star Akon reportedly wasn't locked up for as long as he claimed. In previous interviews Akon (born Aliaune Thiam) said he headed an infamous car-theft ring and claimed to have spent more than four years in prison. Investigative news outlet The Smoking Gun revealed the singer's rap sheet, in an expose yesterday (April 16), that discounted the singer's claims. They reported that among the Grammy award winning artist's six arrests, the only felony conviction he had was for gun possession, and for that charge, the rapper got off on three years probation. TSG also reported that in 1998 Akon was in fact jailed for possession of a stolen BMW, but for months, not years. All charges were later dropped and the rapper was released - a far cry from the tale he tells on wax in his sophomore set Konvicted. Akon's representatives at his label Universal Motown had no comment when contacted.