Gwen Stefani June 1, 2007

No Doubt's Gwen Stefani steps out once again to support her new solo effort, 'The Sweet Escape.' Joining Stefani on all dates is Akon, who hit the charts with 'Smack That' and in some cities, Lady Sovereign. Lady Sovereign, barely 20 years old and a native of North London, specializes in a kind of kitchen-sink hip-hop that easily incorporates drum !n bass beats and vintage videogame sound effects. She is one of the UK's very few white female MCs, often cited as part of the rising British grime scene. Hip Hop and R&B singer Akon was born in St. Louis, lived in Dakar, Senegal until the age of seven, then moved back to the US, settling in Jersey City. Son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam, Akon has released two albums, 'Trouble' and 'Konvicted,' each of which has produced huge smash single hits, primarily 'Locked Up,' 'Lonely' 'Smack That' and 'I Wanna Love You.'