| | Akon Freedom CD Akon Discography of CDs
 (10 Customer Reviews)
The Senegal-born vocalist (and reigning king of cameo appearances) takes a sensitive turn on his third LP, FREEDOM. From the outset, Akon seems to have spurned his earlier hip-hop tendencies in favor of an electric Euro-pop production. The bouncy, synth-driven opening cut, "Right Now (Na Na Na)," produced by Giorgio Tuinfort, seems aimed at European dance floors while the soft techno beat of "Beautiful" sounds like an interpolation of Alice Deejay's hit "Better Off Alone." Similarly, the oversexed subject matter of past hits like "Smack That" and "I Wanna Love You" takes a back seat to apologetic lost-love yearning and reverent pleas for reconciliation on tracks like "Keep You Much Longer," in which Akon declares "Wish I could stop by and maybe say hi/Wish I could stop by and lay by your side." Still, there's room for pseudo-gangster posturing and good-life boasting as Akon croons "Gorillas want war but they ain't got money" beside Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne on "I'm so Paid."
Akon spun off two number one pop hits and one number two from Konvicted, so he couldn't be blamed for working the same tricks on his third album, yet Freedom is a major change of pace -- the kind of drastic switch-up that normally happens after reaching a creative and commercial dead-end. Hip-hop and R&B are all but scrapped entirely. The set instead is rooted in the gleaming synthesizers and spring-loaded dance beats of Euro-pop. (That slamming jail-cell door trademark, deployed as much as ever, doesn't quite have the same alarming effect.) Akon sounds more comfortable than expected, and he reduces the lechery in favor of longing ("I wanna make up right now") and awe ("When I see you, I run out of words to say"). At times, the tensionless backdrops don't inspire Akon to do much with his pen; the chorus of "Beautiful" is basically "You're so beautiful, so damn beautiful," while falling for a stripper in "Against the Grain" is conveyed with "The way she drop down won't allow me to close my drawers." Even so, there's much more charm here than expected. ~ Andy Kellman
Amp - Amended ProducBillboard (p.41) - "[W]hile 'Troublemaker' and 'Holla Holla' each sound a lot like prior Akon songs, ultimately they're highlights for that very reason." Freedom Music | List Price | $13.96 (You save $2.17) | | Category | Rock/Pop Albums, R&B CDs, Contemporary R&B, Rap | | Label | Universal Motown | | Orig Year | 2008 | | All Time Sales Rank |  5994  | | CD Universe Part number | 7778735 | | Catalog number | 001233402 | | Discs | 1 | | Release Date | Dec 02, 2008 | | Studio/Live | Studio | | Personnel | Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Wyclef Jean, T-Pain, Colby O'Donis, Kardinal Offishall, Ray Lavender, Sweet Rush |
Freedom Music Review Average Rating: (4.3 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews Great CrossOver Album
Akon is trying to move into a new direction with this album. Listen to this album with an open mind. If you are looking for the hardcore street stuff and crime stories then you will be very disappointed. You can tell this album is tailored toward a Global audience not just American audience. Very similar to the New Kanye album. Kudos to Akon for trying something different, that is what the industry needs, artistes that will take chances and not just stick to a formular.
Submitted by Chapharoe (Akron, OH)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 6 of 6 found this helpful.
A Must Buy!!!
This is truly one of the best albums of the year. Akon uses his unique vocals to produce thirteen great tracks. The music style is slightly different from his two previous albums. The beats rely more on a European dance club theme. He uses the sound well in his songs. Each of these songs are feel good songs rather than the sad, depressing type of his other albums. The album is also very family friendly and does not feature the parental advisory sticker. Looking at the songs themselves, there are a few tracks that stand out. The one that stands out the most is the song entitled Freedom. This song takes you through the live of Akon and how now it is time for freedom rather than suffering and misery. Sunny Day is another song that portrays this image. The album also shows you a softer side to Akon. There are quite a few love songs that are expertly done. These differ quite a bit from his 2006 hit songs Smack That and I Wanna Love You and are more like the smash hit Don't Matter. All of the songs are iresistable hits that will have you singing along, slow dancing, or fast dancing to them for a long time. Even if you do not normally listen to R&B, this is one album that is a must buy.
Submitted by John (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 7 of 8 found this helpful. where it is!
I had no idea Akon had this in him. Helluvan album!
Submitted by yo yo yo (mebane nc)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful.  Akon?
Akon last album Konvikted came out a couple years ago and since than he never stopped appearing on tv(Bet/VH1 etc...) and tabloid thus acquiring a huge popularity and i am glad for him because he deserves it, he is one of the best crooners out there in the r&b/hip-hop genre, but when i listened to this record i was extremely unsatisfied, Freedoms sounds just like any other contemporary out there, it does not possess the freshness and naughtiness of Konvikted (tracks as Smack Dat and I wanna XXXX U were explicit but extremely fun and entertaining to listen to) instead Akon on this joint is more club banging and heartbreaks oriented but he ain't himself, the lyrics are bleak and empty, the only tracks you can save are Right now na na(a retro ballad with a 80's flava) and Beautiful. I hope Akon finds some time to write better music next, sometimes be out of the spotlight can be a good thing, at least for some time.3 stars
Submitted by Cyrus (Dayville,Ct)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 9 of 17 found this helpful.
Akon Cds Are Amazing!
I purchased this cd just recently it is highly recommended!
I first heard this voice some time ago and will admit that I have never forgotten it, as it is so unique.
Will check out the other albums.
Submitted by M8R-l57j141 (Los Angeles, CA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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