Freedom - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album 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.

Album Description
Multi-platinum 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 and it is the lead track from Akon's third 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."

Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

Refined lyrics meets a maturing artist December 2, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

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.

4 out of 5 stars

A Great Piece of Work by Akon December 2, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Hallelujah! "Freedom" is the first Akon album that doesn't need an edited version to be sold at Wal-Mart! Although in terms of lyrics it's not totally free of that sex-and-violence insinuating language, it shows that it is possible to release a great hip-hop/R&B recording without resorting to extreme obscenity almost in every song.

The good news is not only restricted to lyrics. Musically speaking, "Freedom" has to be the best Akon release to date. Half hard, half soft, this recording is a clear evolution on Akon's style, verging from a tough beat to a more refined production that could even be called...uh...pure pop, but without losing grace. Sign of the times, maturity is coming on Akon's way.

Listening to the last four tracks, one could hardly imagine that they could be Akon if it wasn't for his peculiar voice and singing style and they all seem to be related to his past personal struggles and current feelings ("Sunny Day" - featuring Wyclef Jean - recounts the ghetto days and the pleasure of winning big in life, "Freedom" is proudly sung about his Senegalese roots). "I'm So Paid" is a happy partnership with Lil Wayne and Young Jezzy, the same is valid with "Holla Holla" (feat. T-Pain) and "Against the Grain" (feat. Ray Lavender). "Troublemaker" is an uplifting song - a very cool rhythm.

This album is a 4/5. A very welcomed end-of-year release.

3 out of 5 stars

DISAPPOINTED! December 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Akon's first 2 albums are 5 stars & remain on my favorite albums list. However, 'Freedom' is a complete disappointment. It's pop, radio, candy music; none of what makes Akon unique as an artist. His other albums had grime & grit & real lyrics & beats & a message. I really should have given it 2 stars but I just can't do Akon like that. I am hopeful he will go back to his roots on his next album...

4 out of 5 stars

Akon - Freedom December 2, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Overall, this is easily Akon's best album. Trouble was terrible i dont care what anyone says, besides "Lonely" and maybe two other tracks, Trouble was a mess. Konvicted was better, and after the first listen it was a great album, but the album never really stuck with me. There were a few good songs, but the album as whole was just decent. With Freedom, we get to see a different side of Akon. This album is alot more up tempo and light hearted than any of his other efforts. The album has alot more of a brighter appearance than his others did. This album is more focused on the R&B/Pop ballads and dance hits. His other albums had alot of ghetto jamz and hip hop influenced tracks, while Freedom is his most R&B album yet. Alot of it comes off as Pop though tracks like the big hit single "Right Now" and "Beautiful" serve as the two of the big club/dance hits on this album. And the only song on this album that can really be considered hip hop is "I'm So Paid" which is a really laid back track for a hip hop single, and maybe the disturbingly bad "Troublemaker". And then you get the great mid tempo tracks about that sexy girl in the club in "Holla Holla" with T-Pain, it reminds me alot of "Long Lap Dance" on T-Pains new album. And then you get the "Im in love wit a stripper" song in "Against The Grain", but Ray Lavender really kills that track, its a sexy R&B cut. And then on the bright mid tempo ballad "Be With You", Akon just caresses this track with his sweet vocals. Those four songs, 6-9 are the highlights of the album for sure. And then the album kind of dies off towards the end with the one heartache song "Over the Edge" being the only other true standout. But overall, its nice to see that Akon can make love instead of war with an album, because his first two albums were kinda shakey, but on this one he shows that he can make a solid R&B album to. Still not a perfect album, but its definetly his strongest performance yet.

Grade:
B

2 out of 5 stars

Meh... December 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

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.

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