Freedom

Akon

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 2, 2008)
• Original Release Date: November 25, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal
• ASIN: B001IBCSGY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,518 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

The versatile musical dichotomy is always at the heart of each Akon album. It could be a metaphor for the man himself. On one hand there is an extrovert whose tireless devotion is entertaining crowds and fan interaction has caused both adorations and misunderstandings. On the other, a serious businessman who has quickly built an empire that includes a record label, fashion line and charity foundation. In short, an open artist who regrets nothing, but constantly is learning from past experiences.

"I'm a lot more conscious than on my first few albums," says the singer. "I have a lot of kids that follow me now, so I have to be responsible to those who listen to my music. On [my debut album] Trouble, that wasn't even a concern because it was about who I was and what I been through. Now I have fans that actually look up to me and follow me, so I'm really watching the content I put on my records."

What hasn't changed about Akon is his willingness to discuss his personality and past. "I always felt like people need to know who I am and what my history is," he says. "That's why I'm always wide open with everything that happened with me. As much as people support me, I want them to know who they're supporting."

There are two moments on the highly anticipated third album titled Freedom, from Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist Akon, that are strikingly different. On "Freedom," the titular track, African melodies and marching drums build up in a brooding anthem that is both glorious and exultant. The autobiographical track is arguably the singer's most powerful statement to date, as the song crescendos, church-like, to its rousing conclusion.

Elsewhere, "Keep you Much Longer" tells the story of a successful singer who gets the tables turned when his girlfriend embarks on a career of her own. An insistent rhythm with a merciless 4/4 beat, the dance floor filler seems destined to explode in clubs all over the world. As the singer, once again, displays his impressive vocal range, the track is an updated piece of classic house music.

The 13 tracks on Freedom show a marked growth in the singer/producer's career, exemplifying the more dance-friendly side of the artist. Not to be mistaken: Akon hasn't abandoned his hip-pop and R&B roots, as the album features guest spots by Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Young Jeezy, Kardinal Offishall, Ray Lavender and Wyclef Jean. But tracks like "Troublemaker" and "We Don't Care" are set to blow up dance floors, with the former a dance record made "purely for fun" and the latter riding a chugging, arpeggiated synth and disco groove that would make Giorgio Moroder proud.

"The key is to take it from the dark side and into the light," explains the singer of the album's vibe. "I'm not gonna be miserable, preachy and unhappy forever. Of course, when you first come out from doing time, you're excited about being free and want to teach everybody what you've learned. But it's like with the name Konvict Entertainment [Akon's record label]. "I always use the name as a reminder of where I don't want to be. It was always for a positive purpose, but some people were falsely translating my message. Just because you presume something a certain way doesn't mean it's necessarily that way. You gotta take the time and get fully educated about it, then judge for yourself. I know people have preconceived notions about me. I'm not who they think I am."

2009 is shaping up to be the biggest year of Akon's career. In addition to his own album, the Konvict CEO is prepping releases for T-Pain, Lady Gaga, Kardinal Offishal, Flipsyde Dolla and Colby O'Donis. His fashion line, Konvict and Aliaune Clothing, is set to launch in January. Finally, Konfidence Foundation, the charity Akon has personally funded for four years, has teamed up with songwriter/philanthropist Peter Buffett to launch IsThereSomethingICanDo.com, a Google of sorts for charitable foundations. (An elementary school in the singer's home country of Senegal has already been built, with a hospital being developed.)

It's easy to get complacent when you achieve the level of success Akon has. With worldwide sales of over 7 million albums, certified gold and platinum status in over 23 countries, hundreds of guest appearances (including a collaboration with Michael Jackson), and the record for the first artist to have the #1 and 2 songs simultaneously on the Billboard charts twice, you'd be forgiven for allowing Akon to lean back. But, to quote the singer himself, "The more successful I get, the harder I work to keep it."

This work ethic was ingrained in the singer at an early age by his father, famed percussionist Mor Thiam. While being raised in Senegal, Akon would take all the percussion lessons taught by his father while simultaneously studying the violin and keyboard. Upon moving back to the states and later settling in Atlanta, the producer opened up some recording studios as an investment, but quickly found an urge to create music of his own. After doing time, the singer used those experiences as the basis for Trouble, his 2004 debut album which would eventually sell over 2 million copies. 2006 saw the release of the follow-up Konvicted, which, with the help of now-ubiquitous songs "Smack That," "I Wanna Love You," and "Don't Matter" sold over 3 million copies.

"In my heart, I'm the same exact person I was in 2004, the only difference is I've grown a lot, I'm just a more mature man," admits the singer. "I've learned from my mistakes. I've apologized and corrected them today. At this point, some would say the success is here, relax, but I realize I still need to make the best music possible to capture your attention. If I can accomplish 10% of what I want to do, I might be almost satisfied."

Product Description

singer/songwriter/producer, Akon burst out of the starting gates with the winningly melodic and compulsively danceable single "Right Now (Na Na Na)." The song is sparking up the charts in a record-setting pace that's familiar to Akon's millions of fans worldwide. "Right Now (Na Na Na)" is the lead track from Akon's 3rd upcoming album FREEDOM. The infectious song is the #1 Most Added at Rhythm Crossover radio stations in its first week of release. FREEDOM features collaborations with Hip- Hop's "man of the hour" Lil Wayne ("I'm So Paid") and Akon's platinum artist T-Pain ("Holla Holla"). Akon broke out on the music scene in 2004 with the platinum album TROUBLE that featured singles, "Locked Up" and "Lonely." He returned in 2006 with the triple-platinumcertified KONVICTED CD. The Senegalese native broke chart history in 2007 as the first artist to simultaneously hold the #1 ("I Wanna Love You") and #2 ("Smack "That") positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart twice. He went on to become Billboard Magazine's Top Artist of 2007, the #2 Hot 100 Producer of the Year, and #2 Hot 100 Songwriter of the year.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refined lyrics meets a maturing artist, December 2, 2008

By	Alan Huynh "A Concerned Citizen" (USC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Akon has grown with each new album release, while his sound has evolved to the satisfaction and dissatisfaction of his fans, Freedom will no doubt be remembered as the turning point in Akon's career where he evolves from a hip hop artist to a bonafide entertainer.

Freedom does not contain the harsh or explicit lyrics found in "I Still Kill" or the infamous "I Want to **** You" Instead the album is filled with sounds familiar to "Put the Blame on Me" which was lyrically powered rather than over the top production.

That does not mean there are no upbeat club hits on this album, Troublemaker and Beautiful will keep everyone on the dance floor moving. Akon's previous love ballad "Don't Matter" is replaced with a lyrically driven "Be With You" that possess a crisper production that will no doubt lead to some slower sensual dance moves when the DJ decides to spin the track.

The released singles Right Now and I'm So Paid are great but are drastically different. Freedom plays with this contrast in sound by providing many catchy radio friendly songs that are subtly different but possess deeper lyrics than found in past Akon albums.

With all the radio friendly songs you'll find yourself humming to many of these songs during the day, therefore, making it buy you won't regret this holiday season.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I want that old thing back, December 9, 2008

By	M. Ottersboeck "mattott" (Austria) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's kinda sad to admit that "johnknapik" is right! Akon has moved into a direction many of his long-time fans will not appreciate.

In his first two CDs he concentrated on HipHop heavy beats and songs about Life&struggle&love, where his unique voice really had its place. But currently Akon has moved to Pop-Dancefloor beats and sing-along love songs which kinda doesn't seem right...

Of course the songs are very catchy, but I don't expect that kind of music from Akon. Sorry, but I'll skip this one and wait for Akon to find back to form (same is true for Kanye and Common).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Meh..., December 8, 2008

By	John J. Knapik "johnknapik" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Akon's sound was steeped in hip-hop beats and edgy lyrics. Freedom is a departure from that sound into a realm of artists that your mother would enjoy (Seal, Leona Lewis). Freedom isn't bad, it just isn't the least bit compelling. This is very watered-down R&B that is sure to cross over to the pop charts...and don't be surprised if you hear Akon on your mom's Mix station.