Akon, who likely inherited his musical talent from his father, Senegalese percussionist Mor Thiam, is one of the increasingly rare breed of artists who writes and produces his own material. Listening to his impressive debut CD, Trouble, it's hard to imagine that he once disliked hip-hop. Over time he grew to embrace hip-hop and it shows. His style is a mix of R&B and hip-hop, and Akon glides between singing and rapping effortlessly. In fact you'll likely ask yourself whether he's singing or rapping as you listen to the songs.
The CD is entitled 'Trouble' for a good reason — Akon got into his fair share of trouble while growing up. The best tracks on the album are those about his past exploits and his efforts to turn his life around. My favorite song, 'Locked Up', has Akon reminiscing on a couple of incidents that resulted in him going to jail. 'Trouble Nobody' is about Akon dealing with life as an ex-convict, with judges and probation officers telling him to stay out of trouble. He goes into some of the difficulties of ex-cons trying to go straight: "Let me tell you what hurts the most / I'm a convicted felon and I can't work / No matter where I go to try to get paid / They never give me the job because they are afraid..." Other stand-out tracks include 'Show Out', which pays homage to 'The Message', 'Bananza (Belly Dancer)', which is a club banger obviously influenced by Akon's time spent in Atlanta, 'Gangsta', 'Ghetto' and 'Journey'.
Akon's talent also shows through on the production side. The CD covers a lot of musical ground, from Southern-influenced hip-hop to hard-core hip-hop to more traditional R&B songs. He even shows that he can dig in the crates with his well placed, sped up, samlpe of Bobby Vinton's 'Mr Lonely' on the track 'Lonely'. I think Akon may be one of the the next big producers on the scene. Consider what Lil' Zane said about him:
“I would compare him to Pharrell,” says Lil’ Zane, who used Akon’s production talents on his own debut. “He can do your beat and sing your chorus.”
That's high praise, but somehow I think Akon may just live up to it.
Rating: **** out of *****
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - junior
In a message dated 8/21/2004 6:49:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Juniorbobo writes:
hi acorn my name is junior i am from nigeria i was your no.1 fan before i kwow u from africa i always hear ur song i like it and when i know u from africa i was so happy i am proud of africa brothers.i will be happy if u can call me at 718 919 4388 i live in new york i ame here 2 years ago. thanks broother and this is my e-mail adress juniorbobo@aol.com or tayibat2004@yahoo.com.
bye.
2 - Sladginos
I've been jammin Akons album for the last 2 weeks non-stop, boy, its so hot, a bit unbelievable, all my doggs feel it equally. To find out he was African even made it better being Afrik myself...as far as i'm concerned he's the next BIG thing in the near future...keep doing your thing bro, represent for your roots!! 1 luv
3 - Sidi Brahim
Akon has blown everyone away with his album and style of singing. His voice is so different from the other R&B singers. I'm Myself from Mauritania a country neighboring Senegal, where Akon is from. All Africans are buying your album everywhere in the world france, Germany, Spain anywhere...
He has broken the glass ceiling and showed that nothing is impossible in America. Keep it up and keep making the good music. I will be watching your steps. Peace.
4 - david ruben
akon is very unique in his own style of singing which brings the postive side of not only africans but black people in general. just wanted to say after listening to ghetto that was a positive song and that is what we all need right now and not b**** or n****. keep it up my brother and remember you are not only representing us (africans) but also the black commubity, luv u bro
5 - mamadou
akonnnnnnnn my man from senegal.my name is Mamadou Thioune im 17 now im from senegal 2 i was born in Dakar. i luved u before knowing u were from Africa but when i found out i almost cried i was so happy i was finaly a nigga from senegal made it . i was so happy for u and for all of us Africans. tanks for representing WEST AFRICA TO THE FULLEST and please i would luv 2 talk u email me at themama2k1@yahoo.com tanks keep doing wut ur doing and remember
WEST AFRICA SENEGAL TO THE FULLEST
6 - Doreen
Hello Akon, I am Doreen Smith, and I am from Jamaica. The first time I heard your songs "Locked UP and Ghetto, I just went crazy. The words are of reality. Then when I saw your video i went head over heels. Everyday I watched it at least five times. You are a realist. Keep up the good work guy and be strong always. You can email me at dormique@yahoo.com. Would love to hear from you.
7 - carley flynn
Hi akon can i just say i've listened to lots of R & B tunez and theres been some artists whose first song i liked but rest were crap and others where i liked them an decided to buy their album but then disowned it after a while. Akon your album is class i am from England and i listened to locked up then i listened to lonely, now i have most of my family and all of my friends buying your album. Your a class singer and really relate to issues. keep it up man.
8 - samuel oriko
hi akon iam a 20 year old kenyan whoseem to have gone through the same expirience as you have . it give me much pleasuer that i have rehabilitatedfrom crime an i like listening to your CD it si abomb especially "locked up'AND "ghetto"keep up thegood work an my god bless you. you my contact me at tel+254734840095 or my emailadress samueloriko@yahoo.com
9 - jep
hi akon its jep all ur songs are gr8 hope ya bring out more !!!
10 - sharne
hi akon its sharne i have heard all ya songs and they are gr8 i hope you bring out more i am 14 years of age and im frm essex hope to email u soon x
11 - matar
tu est the best of the best le nigger des niggers le senegalais le plus coooooooollll
12 - stevo
pls send me pics
13 - Kelsie carty
His music and his voice is very refershing to listen to his lyrics are so real,i know that he have a bright future in the music business if he continue on the path that he is on.
May god bless and keep him.
14 - Nikoline
Come back home ,
I feel me so alone.
Love lift us up ,
Where we belong .
Never more feel
Alone .
©
I love longley .
The worlds greatest song :)<433333333333333
15 - lauren
Akon you rok the worlds world and my world i wrote a song 4 u to see if u like it or not i wont to be a music writter and i think that u suited the song best
lor kate
please email me
P.S the song is nearly finished but not yet
and please dont just ignor this letter
16 - Anne
i like to write to you cos i love ur music, and i want to to be won in this coming up music contex.
Regards
Anne From Nigeria
17 - jahswill
please can anyone provide me with Akon's email address
18 - Carlet
hi Akon im armenian girl.i love your music.i love you.i love mr.lonlyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
19 - laura
Your music represents a unique style. Being a Cameroonian who came to this country young, it is good to know that someone like me has not forgotten where they came from. Your music goes to show that music has no color or nationality. Keep up the good work and keep on inspiring young people everywhere.
20 - JENNIFER KOERTJE
AKON YOU ARE SO HOT CAN I TAKE YOU HOME WITH ME. i LOVE YOUR MUSIC PLEASE COME HOME WITH ME
21 - JENNIFER KOERTJE
BEING LOCKED UP YEAH I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE I HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP MANY TIMES AND I HAVE BEEN ON PROBATION FOR 12 YEARS NOW.AGIAN PLEASE COME HOME WITH ME YOU WOULD HAVE THE BEST OF LOVE AND MANY OTHER THINGS.
22 - chase
wat is Akon's adress or e-mail
23 - feisal
akon ur realy doing very good job,am realy apriciate ur songs till here tanzaniaaa people heat ur songs ina all media of da streets ur realy doing good,keep it up,us african here in somalia we realy love u.
24 - suleiman
hello mr Akon I'm Tanzanian I mean we are patriots so we have alot to talk so email at i hope you will send a message to me as soon as you see my message
25 - suleiman
hello email me mr Akon