Akon is top selling mastertone artist of all the time

SRC/Universal Motown Recording artist Akon has become the top selling mastertone artist of all time. The R&B artist has sold over 11 million mastertones, the most of any other artist since the inception of mastertones. The mastertone tracks, including "Smack That" (certified by RIAA triple platinum), "Don't Matter" (double platinum), "I Wanna Love You" (double platinum) are from Akon's sophomore album, "Konvicted," which is approaching triple platinum status in album sales." Akon is currently the only artist with three mastertone tracks that have hit multi-platinum status.

"This honor is a testament to Akon's widespread popularity and huge fanbase," said Steve Rifkind, Chief Executive Officer, SRC Records. "It speaks to his tremendous talent and the infectious music he creates. We're thrilled that Akon has now surpassed all other artists of this era and has cemented his place in music history."

Akon's "Smack That" was the top selling mastertone of 2006 (Nielsen Mobile), hit #2 on the Billboard "Hot Digital Songs" chart, and helped Akon become AT&T's top-selling ringtone artist of all time.

"Akon's dominance of the traditional, wireless and digital arenas is indicative of his massive appeal around the globe," commented Sylvia Rhone, President, Universal Motown. "This unprecedented achievement is further proof of his ability to generate an immediacy with his audience that only a few artists are able to replicate. We congratulate him on yet another milestone in his great career."

Akon is currently on tour with Gwen Stefani on her Sweet Escape Tour, named after the song he wrote for Stefani, another chart-topping missile that has established the Senegalese icon as music's most prodigious hitsmith. The tour will be wrapping up this weekend in Irvine, CA. after visiting 38 cities across the country. Akon's smash hits from Konvicted, such as "Smack That," featuring Eminem, and "I Wanna Love You," featuring Snoop Dogg, held the #1 and #2 spots simultaneously, a feat achieved in modern chart history by only two other artists (Usher and Mariah Carey.) "Smack That" was nominated for a Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy Award and hit #1 in the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand. "Konvicted" has been certified gold or platinum in over a dozen countries.

Source: Universal Music Group