Why was ‘Locked Up’ singer Akon arrested in Georgia? Here’s the full story

Singer Akon, best known for his early 2000s hit ‘Locked Up’, was arrested last week in Georgia after police discovered he had been driving with a suspended licence. The 52-year-old musician, whose full name is Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, was taken into custody by the Chamblee Police Department on the morning of November 7 and released approximately six hours later, according to police records.

Arrest stems from earlier traffic incident

The arrest, confirmed by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, came after a bench warrant was issued for Akon’s failure to appear in a case involving his suspended driver’s licence, TMZ reported. The warrant originated from Roswell, Georgia, where authorities said the singer’s licence had been suspended since January 2023.

The incident dates back to September, when officers reportedly spotted Akon’s Tesla Cybertruck stranded on a Georgia roadway. According to reports, Akon told police that the vehicle’s battery had died. Officers called a tow truck to assist, but during routine checks, they discovered that his licence was suspended because he had failed to appear in court earlier in the year.

Police issued Akon a citation for driving while his licence was suspended and allowed him to leave the scene. However, when the case went unresolved, the bench warrant was later issued.

Illegal vape found during inspection

According to a police report cited by TMZ, officers also found an item that prompted further action. The report stated:

“An illegal vape in the centre console was seized during the inventory and submitted for destruction.”

Authorities confirmed that the vape was confiscated when the Cybertruck was towed and logged for destruction.

Six hours in custody

Police records show that Akon was arrested on the morning of November 7 and booked into DeKalb County Jail before being released that same afternoon. The Chamblee Police Department said the arrest was made on an out-of-county warrant issued from Roswell.

Akon’s mugshot, in which he appears wearing a black hoodie and expressionless, has since gone viral on social media. The Grammy-nominated artist was reportedly cooperative during the process and spent around six hours in custody.

Akon has yet to comment

As of now, Akon has not publicly addressed the arrest. The singer, who has been touring internationally, continued performing and posting on social media as usual.

Just two days after his arrest, Akon performed at a concert in New Delhi, India, on November 9, suggesting the brief detention did not disrupt his tour schedule.