'Budding powerhouse' Akon checks out L.A. real estate

What does a "budding celebrity powerhouse" do once Forbes anoints you as such?

If you're Akon, and you made about $20 million last year, you take a look at some ritzy Los Angeles real estate. 

The rapper -- who tied 50 Cent and Jessica Simpson for seventh on Forbes' list of 12 stars who are more than merely "the talent" -- was spotted in L.A. on Thursday checking out the Carlyle on Wilshire Boulevard. 

If he does buy a place at the luxury high rise, in addition to enjoying the services of a concierge and access to a ginormous wine cellar, he’ll likely be in good company: CNN host Larry King and actor Bruce Willis already own Carlyle units, and singer LaToya Jackson was spotted shopping for a place there in December.

LaToya and Bruce actually bumped into each other and chatted when she was there – and were joined in the lobby by ESPN broadcaster Keyshawn Johnson.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Akon performs in New York City on June 4, 2009, at the 6th annual Do Something Awards at the Apollo Theater. Credit: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images.

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