Akon To Launch Konvict and Aliaune Perfumes

Article written by: SoJones Asmara
Posted on: May 19, 2009

Life must be smelling sweet these days for five time Grammy-nominated artist Akon. As if trying to compete with fellow rappers/celebrity designers Nelly and Jay-Z, Akon has just announced he’s launching two of his own signature fragrances: Konvict and Aliaune. The scents are named after his best-selling album “Konvict” and his given name: Aliaune “Akon” Thiam. However, unlike Jay-Z’s licensing deal with Parlux and Nelly’s partnership with Romane Fragrances, Akon will independently produce his own lines by Akon’s newly-formed company called Konvict Cosmetics Int’l.

Jack Aini, CEO of Konvict Cosmetics, expressed his delight to be working on Akon’s fragrances:

“We are excited and honored to launch both Aliuane and Konvict with Akon. It will surely do well considering Akon’s entrepreneurship and popularity.”

The fragrances will be available for sale on the company’s website in August 2009 and there has been talks between the company and retailers such as Macy’s and Nordstrom for fall distribution. The younger audience might like Konvict better, as it will be available in 3.4 oz. for $35, while Aliaune is meant to target an older and more sophisticated crowd and will be available in the same size for $55.

The presence of celebrity-backed fragrance lines in the hip hop world is slowly becoming an epidemic in 2009.  Jay-Z announced in April that he will launch scents for Rihanna and Kanye West, followed by Nelly’s Apple Bottoms fragrance launch announcement and Common’s deal with Diesel in launching his signature cologne, “Only The Brave”.

Speaking of clothing, Akon launched his clothing line, Konvict Clothing, in February 2007. The clothing line is dominated with urban streetwear looks including denim jeans, hoodies, t-shirts and hats. Akon also has an upscale apparel collection called Aliaune, which consists of more stylish and sophisticated collections covering blazers, denim jeans and other items.

The accomplished singer/songwriter received four Grammy Award nominations in 2008, including Best Pop Collaborations with Vocals for Gwen Stefani’s “The Sweet Escape”, Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for his collaboration with T-Pain on “Bartender”, Best Contemporary R&B Album for Konvicted and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration with Snoop Dogg on “I Wanna Love You”.

Aside from making music, clothing and (now) sweet scents, Akon has his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called the Konfidence Foundation. Although he allegedly had previous dark periods in his life as a drug dealer, Akon claimed that he’s never used drugs himself and that he’s turned his life around.