In a time when most Rappers are bragging or fudging about street credibility, Akon does not need to boast any further, as he is the real deal—though his music does not always show it. An actual ex-con, complete with an arrest record (he did time for pinching an auto) he has more actual gansta in him than most. However, he is best known for his slow jam ballad “Lonely,” which sampled, of all things, Bobby Vinton’s cheesy 60’s ballad “Mr. Lonely.” While Akon sped Vinton’s vocal sample up so much that Vinton sounded as if his lungs were filled with helium, it was a substantial hit, though not one that would land him in the same company as a Kanye West or 50 Cent.
At first glance, Konvicted appears as if it is going to be more of a nod to his harder side, but that is not always the case. “Smack That,” the disc’s first release, is more of an attempt to appeal to club hoppers and Top 40 followers and was a safe bet for a hit singe. Not wanting to play it too mainstream, he also dabbles in some musical genre hopping. “Mama Africa” contains more of a smooth reggae tone delivery and is more that just a bit akin to Kevin Lyttle’s sound. Also, doing an R Kelly-lite take on the ballad “Never Took the Time” is not the way Akon wants to go if he wants to escape the “Lonely” stigma.
Since Akon apparently does not have the chops to rap himself, he certainly has great taste in the guests he chooses to grace his products. “I Wanna Love You,” which appears as if it is to be the second single from Konvicted, is a sort of love (or lust) tune that is saved from mediocrity by a great flowing rap from Snoop Dogg. The aforementioned “Smack That” also features a guest spot from Eminem. While this is not the best work Eminem ever did, his always beaming attitude adds a nice uppercut punch to the song’s tame, but very danceable, beat.
Other tracks worthy of investigation are “Don't Matter,” even if it is more on the ballady side, and “Gangsta Bop.” “Blown Away” is probably the most “real” that Akon gets on the disc, but for the most part, Konvicted is guilty of too much filler. Actually, there is nothing really too gangsta about the album as a whole. While it sounds as if it is going to be hard, it doesn’t ever reach that level. Which is not a bad thing if that is not your act, but Akon seems to wear his rap sheet like a badge of honor (hence the title of the CD).
Sure, this is better than 90% of the new R&B/hip hop material out there, and it is an interesting effort, but Akon has yet to find his stride. He appears to have the talent, and the credibility, but we just have to see if he can turn it into career longevity.
(Written by: John Reed)
Click here to listen to Akon's Konvicted Album.
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