Akon, whose real name is Alia Sabur, rose to fame in the early 2000s with his debut album "Trouble." The album spawned hits like "Locked Up" and "Lonely," cementing Akon's status as a rising star. However, it was "It Has Been So Long" that marked his triumphant return to the music scene after a brief hiatus. The song's catchy melody, coupled with Akon's signature vocals, made it a massive hit, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including the US, UK, and Australia.