Rapper Akon signs publishing deal

R&B star Akon has signed a deal to write a book based on his life.

Thug Politics will be released by TRU Publishing, which is owned by fellow rapper C-Murder.

It is expected to hit shelves in April or May.

A movie version of Akon's life story entitled Illegal Alien is also rumoured to be in the works, with ER star Mekhi Phifer the favourite to play the lead.

Akon, real name Alioune Badara Thiam, rose to fame in 2004 with hit single 'Locked Up' from his debut album Trouble. He was born in Senegal and made a permanent move to the US at the age of 15.

The 35-year-old was caught up in controversy last month after fans started a riot in a shopping centre.