He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of the singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely", from his debut album "Trouble". His second album, "Konvicted", earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single Smack That featuring Eminem. His latest album, "Freedom", was released in 2008. Akon often sings hooks for other artists and is currently accredited with over 200 guest appearances and 32 Billboard Hot 100 songs.
He is the first solo artist to accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice. He has also founded two record labels, Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution and has a clothing label, Konvict clothing
Akon is a Muslim and has many charities of his own.
Akon's father is the Senagalese drummer Mor Thiam.
Against The Grain Ft. Ray Lavender
akon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never knew a girl could be so god damn cold,
I know, the way she move got me spendin' my dough
And yo, If you would've seen what I seen on that pole
Just know,
That I was wrong for fallin' in love
I was wrong for fallin' in love
I was wrong for fallin' in love
(Don't do it yo')
I was wrong for fallin' in love
(They always say don't love a ho)
But I just went against the grain
It was a feelin' I can't explain
And it felt like harmony
Singin' in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
I don't want it to ever go away
I want it around me every day
Singin in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
Look at me, I'm stuck
That bubble in my pants got me caught up
I never, had no luck
Thinkin' with the wrong head got me jumpin' out there
With no glove
It feels so good had me sprung out all messed up
Now I'm stuck
That's what I get for fallin' in love
That's what I get for fallin' in love
(They always say don't love a ho)
That's what I get for fallin' in love
(Don't do it yo')
That's what I get for fallin in love
(They always say don't love a ho)
But I just went against the grain
It was a feelin' I can't explain
And it felt like harmony
Singin' in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
I don't want it to ever go away
I want it around me every day
Singin' in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
So thick, so raw
That oil all over her body stole my heart
I'm caught,
The way she drop down won't allow me to close my drawers
'Cause I'm, already in love and I knew better from the start
Oh No,
I was wrong for fallin in love
I was wrong for fallin in love
(They always say don't love a ho)
I was wrong for fallin in love
(Don't do it yo')
I was wrong for fallin in love
But I just went against the grain
It was a feelin' I can't explain
And it felt like harmony
Singin' in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
I don't want it to ever go away
I want it around me every day
Singin' in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
The lyrics of Akon's song Against The Grain speak about falling in love with a stripper who seems cold but who slowly gets under his skin. He admits that he knew better, that he was warned not to "love a ho," but he went against the rules and fell for her anyway. In the chorus, he acknowledges that he was wrong for falling in love, but he can't explain why he did it. The girl's sensuality and the way she moved got him hooked, and he compares it to a song, singing that it felt like harmony.
In the second verse, he confesses that he's stuck and can't get enough of her. The sexual attraction is too strong, and he can't control himself. He describes the girl as thick and raw, with oil all over her body, stealing his heart. He already knows he was wrong to fall in love, but he can't help being drawn to her, even though he knew better. In the end, he repeats the chorus, emphasizing that he went against the grain, broke the rules, and fell in love with a stripper.
Line by Line Meaning
So soft and slow
The girl moves slowly and gracefully.
Never knew a girl could be so god damn cold,
The girl is emotionally distant and unkind.
I know, the way she move got me spendin' my dough
The girl's movements and behavior entice him to spend money on her.
And yo, If you would've seen what I seen on that pole
The girl performs sexually suggestive dances on a pole.
Just know,
This is a warning to anyone who may encounter a similar situation.
That I was wrong for fallin' in love
He realizes that he made a mistake by falling in love with the girl.
But I just went against the grain
Despite knowing better, he went against popular advice and pursued the girl.
It was a feelin' I can't explain
He was drawn to the girl for reasons he cannot explain.
And it felt like harmony
Being with the girl felt perfect and complete.
Singin' in my face like
Diddy-duhdee doo-dah-day
This phrase serves as an expression of joy and pleasure he experiences when with the girl.
That bubble in my pants got me caught up
His physical attraction to the girl is too intense to resist.
Thinkin' with the wrong head got me jumpin' out there
He acted impulsively, letting his desire and not his better judgment guide him.
That's what I get for fallin' in love
He acknowledges that there are consequences for giving in to desire and falling in love with the wrong person.
So thick, so raw
The girl is physically attractive and sexually alluring.
That oil all over her body stole my heart
The girl's appearance, specifically an oil she has applied to her body, has made him emotionally attached to her.
The way she drop down won't allow me to close my drawers
Her seductive moves and appearance make him unable to resist sexual urges.
Already in love and I knew better from the start
He knew it was unwise to fall in love with a promiscuous woman, but his emotional connection was too strong.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALIAUNE THIAM, NADIR KHAYAT, RAY LAVENDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind