Trouble: Deluxe Edition [PA]

Performer: Akon
Artist: Daddy T; Styles P.; Kardinal Offishall; P-Money; Topic; Sean Biggs; Miri Ben-Ari; Baby Bash; The Beatnuts; Savage; Grady Babies
Engineer: Mark "Exit" Goodchild; Aliaune Thiam...
Producer: Aliaune Thiam; Shawn WMS; Benny D...
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Contains an untitled hidden track following "Easy Road". Personnel: Akon (rap vocals); Daddy T, Devyne, Pickelhead (rap vocals); Tony Love (guitar); Kardinal Offishall, Miri Ben-Ari, The Beatnuts, Baby Bash, P-Money , Sean Biggs. Young R&B singer Akon's life has been filled with struggle and fortune, and both scenarios are channeled into his debut record, fittingly entitled TROUBLE. Akon was born in Senegal, son of a well-known African jazz percussionist, but moved to New Jersey when just seven years old. Once in the States, Akon was in and out of jail, until he decided to forego that existence and embrace music. Akon's style derives from many influences, including hip-hop and his African heritage, but TROUBLE could be described as the grittier side of neo-soul, with a sound similar to Anthony Hamilton. TROUBLE opens with "Locked Up," a smooth, rap-infused dirge perfectly suited for Akon's winsome, high-pitched vocals, which retain just a pinch of an African accent. He continues with the somber theme of redemption on the melodic "Trouble Nobody." Akon reveals a markedly different side of himself on the first single, the dance-floor tribute to beautiful women, "Bananza (Belly Dancer)." However, most of TROUBLE wanders in the sadness of living amongst urban decay, focusing on the trouble Akon has seen, and he's seen a lot.

Spin (p.120) - "Akon Thiam is a butter-smooth outsider pushing a rugged agenda..." - Grade: A-

Senegal-via-New Jersey rapper/vocalist/producer Akon stormed the hip-hop/R&B world in 2004 with a string of hits that showcased the performer's fresh amalgam of reggae, rap, and contemporary urban styles. A somewhat checkered past and a series of collaborations with the likes of Styles P, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem lent Akon a healthy dose of street cred, while his innate musical ability (he's the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam), strong business sense, and ear for a hook made him an instant hitmaker. Akon released his sophomore album, KONVICTED, in 2006.

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