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Biography
The story of
Senegal born soul singer...
After winning music fans over with his 2003 multi-platinum debut
Trouble, Senegalese singer Akon returns with more stories from his
personal journey via his sophomore CD Konvicted. If Trouble was
Akon’s ode to redemption (before his music career took off he served
time for car theft), Konvicted picks up at rebirth. His mission now
is to reinvent himself through his salvation - music.
The son of accomplished jazz musician Mor Thiam, Akon was introduced
to varied musical styles early on. “I grew-up listening to all kinds
of music. Obviously I love soul songs, but I also like mixing in
other types of music,” Akon confesses. “For every Stevie Wonder
track I’ve listened to, there is another by Steely Dan that helped
shape me as an artist.”
Although the hit single “Locked Up” earned him street credibility,
the artist’s multifaceted sensibilities are evident on his second
album. Akon produced and wrote all but one song on Konvicted. The
album features tracks recorded with Eminem (the first single, “Smack
That”), Snoop Dogg (“I Want to Love You”) and Styles P. (who laced
Akon’s debut hit single, “Locked Up”). Konvicted balances streetwise
swagger, studio originality and common sense to create one of the
most honest releases of 2006.
“Smack That,” is a deliriously energetic song that has all the
ingredients of a masterful club banger and features the aggressive
rhymes of eight-mile wordsmith Eminem. Having met Em soon after
working with Obie Trice on “Snitch” (the song, which was used on the
hit series CSI; an episode Akon also appeared in), the two became
fast friends. “I knew I wanted Eminem to be on the track, but he is
very careful about appearing on too many other people’s songs. When
he called and said he was ready to go into the studio, I knew it was
a blessing. I was on the first flight to Detroit,” says Akon.
Another stand-out song on Konvicted is the anti-gangsta track
“Runnin’.” Recalling the sincerity of soul legend Curtis Mayfield’s
timeless Super Fly soundtrack, Akon neo-blues recalls the struggle
of stepping away from the game, when he sings, “I’m tired of running
from the law.” Ironically, the melodic piece was written while Akon
was still doing jail time. “This is a song you can feel, because
it’s that real,” Akon shares. “And, I meant every word of it.”
Working in the tradition of pioneer R. Kelly, Akon moves deftly from
hard-knock stories to the dance-floor to inspirational ballads; the
verses are full of nimble sing-rapping…with Akon multi-tracking his
voice to sing his own backing vocals.” “The song “Gangsta Bop” on
Konvicted is a track that could definitely be in a movie,” says
Akon. With its cinematic appeal and blaxploitation thrills, “Gangsta
Bop” is captivating. “My goal is not to glorify street life, but
gangstas are people too. They have families and children, and I’m
trying to shed some light on that. I can’t tell people what not to
do, but I can be a role model.” Akon also teams up with his homeboy
T-Pain on the breezy “I Can’t Wait,” the singer has crafted a finger
snapping funky love song that blends jazz and big beats.
Still, while Akon’s lyrics are tight, he proves to be innovative on
a production level as well. Unafraid of lacing pop music elements
like live piano and the zigzag of violins, the haunting ballad
“Never Took the Time” is a winner. “When I’m composing songs, I try
to be more to the left musically,” Akon reveals. “There is a love
and passion I have for trying to create different sounds. In music
right now, it’s up to the producers to push for diverse styles.”
Working out of his own Koncast Studios in Atlanta, perhaps the
crowning jewel on Konvicted is the powerful “Africa.” A percussion
heavy anthem “dedicated to his homeland,” Akon’s lyrics are on point
as he discusses various issues from slavery to skin color. One of my
goals with the song “Africa” is to make people more aware of the
continent.”
Everything fell into place for Akon when Devyne Stephens,
connoisseur of artist development and CEO of Upfront Entertainment
began shopping Akon’s demo and immediately received several offers
from major labels. “We decided to go with Steve Rifkind and
SRC/Universal Motown because Steve had the best understanding of
what we were trying to achieve. Together we achieved everything we
wanted and more,” says Stephens.
The deal was signed in 2003 and Trouble sold more than three million
units worldwide. Impressing both music critics and the disc buying
public with his well-crafted R&B and unique voice, Akon has proven
himself as both a brilliant storyteller and gifted musician. His
unique style was a shock to the system. In a 2004 New York Times
article praised him as a “groundbreaking artist.”
In addition to his break-out single “Locked Up,” which became the
barbeque jam during the summer of 2004, Akon has established himself
as an in-demand guest artist and record producer (Young Jeezy, R.
Kelly, Obie Trice, Elton John, Daddy Yankee, Gwen Stefani).
Nominated for “Hottest Hook” at the 2005 Vibe Awards, the singer’s
voice on “Soul Survivor” was a shining moment for both Jeezy and
Akon. “I love collaborating with other artists. There are times when
I’m in the studio with someone and the chemistry just clicks” says
Akon.
Since his debut release, Akon has traveled the world and
collaborated with everyone from Snoop Dogg to Ladysmith Black
Mambazo. His Konvict Music imprint, which will be distributed by
Interscope Records, boasts a roster that includes T-Pain and former
TLC member Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas.
With the brilliance of Konvicted, label owner, singer, songwriter
and producer Akon breaks down musical barriers while also validating
his importance as a soul man for the new millennium. Like fine wine,
Konvicted proves that Akon only gets better with time. [Source:
artistdirect.com]
Albums:
Trouble
Konvicted
Acquitted
Double Jeopardy
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