Rap-Up.com || Album Preview: Akon

After a couple years off from the music scene, Senegalese singer-songwriter Akon hits the club on his fourth album, Stadium (formerly titled Akonic). Devyne Stephens, vice president of Akon’s Konvict Muzik imprint and credited with discovering the entertainer, introduced the album at the exclusive MPD club located in New York City’s Meatpacking District, where patrons including Shontelle, Maino, DJ Enuff, and Universal Motown president Sylvia Rhone sipped complementary cocktails and grooved to the Euro-tinged sounds of the new offering. Akon made a guest appearance only near the end of the event, hopping on the mic to thank everyone for coming.

Rap-Up.com was invited to get a sneak peek of the dance floor-tailored album, with only six tracks from the LP booming through the sound system. Check below to see what you can expect when the project drops November 22.

1. “Give It to ‘Em”
An ominous chorus makes way for rapid handclaps and epic instrumentation on this heavily Auto-Tuned track. Akon robotically coos “na na na” on the chorus as a gruff male chants the song’s title. “200 percent, I’m on my job,” Akon sings on the fast-paced jam.

2. “Time Is Money” featuring Big Meech
Black Mafia member Big Meech, popularized on Rick Ross’ anthem “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast),” introduces this Timbaland-esque jam with a stern speech on how you’ve only got “time or money.” Soon, double-time snares kick in on the bass-heavy joint, where Akon plays with a fast delivery against a slow-rolling rhythm. “I’m on my grind, money on my mind,” he sings.

3. “Be Me”
Stadium hits its dance floor stride on this tune, where Akon lays out the difficulties that come with being a superstar over effervescent percussion. “Know what it’s like to be me,” he yearns on the chorus as drums rattle beneath his deadpan vocals.

4. “Drop Down Low”
The Konvict boss flips the switch to Euro-house music on this aerobically-paced tune. Over snapping handclaps and sliding synthesizers, Akon commands the listener to “break it on down” on the brooding tune.

5. “Angel”
Akon’s first single, “Angel” is a fast-paced romp that fits in nicely with the other house-friendly tracks on the album. “Way above the clouds in the sky singin’,” croons the performer. A surefire club banger.

6. “Hold You”
The dance party continues on this gradually building song, with Akon singing in a lower tenor as the track grows into a ’90s-influenced thumper. The hitmaker asks his lady to take his hand after realizing he’s unable to shake off his girl’s spell. Unapologetically fervent, “Hold You” epitomizes the athletic, club-geared tone of the album.

–Steven J. Horowitz

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35 Comments

@LYKEaBOSS
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:33 am
I miss akon while he’s gone, but when he’s back with music I always get annoyed cause radio over plays him!
[Reply]
King$am
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:44 am
Akon always make good music but 6 songs ain’t enough for the album, we want more tracks.
[Reply]
Chri$
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:21 am
this is a little disappointing:(
only 6??? I hope this is a joke!?!!
Now I have even greater expectations for the new album.
[Reply]
will.i.am
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 am
I still hope he’s featuring Lady Gaga on the album.
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WhatTheF
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:14 am
Y’all are retarded. They got to preview six songs. They didn’t say there are only six songs on the album.
[Reply]
mike
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:15 am
ugh i hate this kinda people that first they go like they rappers, then switch to house music cuz they’re desperate for money and success, just a few stay true to what they really are and like to do
[Reply]
Konvict
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:16 am
No featurings lol, thats weird cuz akon is like the king of hooks. BUY THE ALBUM
[Reply]
Konvict
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:18 am
What is LP?
[Reply]
RihFTW
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:41 am
LP is Label Production
[Reply]
seeny
September 22nd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
why just 6 songss… i already got “time is money” &”angle” so 4 songss….that suckss man :S:S:S :( :(
[Reply]
C 4 DA BONB
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:30 pm
men my name is C4 terix am a rapper in africa IN some were in ninja budak like pholodak black boy, so black boyz what dup and that’s what up, I greet any body that will ready the comment and do not tell know one okay is secret c4 pls just a minte I make MUSIC and use it and smoke wind and drink gin blow chicks just like blood cloth blood muff.
My first album name is blood on my vain,
na so he be hear i Know day form this ninja golo ….
Old boy like me I have been in the Game very 14 years but am still work on my personal instrumental shit lyririx is duop oo ninja golo…..
[Reply]
C 4 DA BONB
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I can smoke any rapper on earth okay …………..
try me or call +234-551-126-63
C TO DA 4
[Reply]
C 4 DA BONB
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:36 pm
YOU CAN SEE MY FACE G
[Reply]
C 4 DA BONB
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:38 pm
GUMS SPEAKE IF THE HEART OF THE DO FINE OUT
PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE ………
NOTHING ELSE AND SHOUT UP….
[Reply]
C 4 DA BONB
September 22nd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
AM NOT THE BEST BUT THE BLOOD CLOTH CHEST
AM NOT A BLOOD BOY BUT AM BLOOD MUFF
[Reply]
Paul
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:11 pm
QQQ super
pero espero q agregue mas tracks por q con solo 6 o 7 queda pequeño el album
Pero naaa quiero escuchar ya akonic!!!!!
[Reply]
Paul
September 22nd, 2010 at 8:15 pm
AAA y espero que el productor musical de todo el album akonic sea davit guetta
go
gooooo
goooooooooo
[Reply]
Nait Phoenix
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Okay, both him and Omarion need to go somewhere! I don’t care where, just not here! Does he think “Akonic” is clever!? Plz disappear for two more years and come back wiser!
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Mmm..
September 23rd, 2010 at 3:46 am
Nice cant wait
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konvict
September 27th, 2010 at 5:47 am
Can’t wait
[Reply]
K.K.
September 27th, 2010 at 9:41 am
nice title ;D
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BUNIFAH LATIFAH
September 27th, 2010 at 11:52 am
AKONIC?
You GHETTO ASS NEGRO STOP COPYING CHRISTINA AGUILERA
[Reply]
YeezyFan
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:01 am
guys it aint 6 songs. that was just the preview. he aint gonna play the entire album for rap-up is he?? he mightn’t even have completed it. btw the tracklist is on wikipedia and believe me its MORE than 6 songs.
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wicked
October 8th, 2010 at 8:01 am
need more tracks like troublemaker,dangerous,party animal……….still kill
[Reply]
wicked
October 8th, 2010 at 8:16 am
need more tracks like troublemaker,dangerous
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LIL KONVICT BBOY
November 19th, 2010 at 8:47 am
FUCK ALL OF YOU HATERS AKON IS THE SHIT
[Reply]
Paolo
November 26th, 2010 at 7:50 am
when it will be released please?? i search over all INTERNET and i dont find! PLEASE ANSWER
[Reply]
Rajislam25
February 28th, 2011 at 5:48 am
I agreed, Fuck the niggas who aint like AKON n Akon is da king 4ever than mj…
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Kay
April 11th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
AKON might be missin, yes. But he still tha sh*t! I like tha dude!
[Reply]
Ak
September 8th, 2011 at 6:47 am
AKON is one of the best, and his album is gonna be smash, gonna be out on Nov. 15th. And its more than 13 tracks I think not only 6. He just previewed a part of it.
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Chris Berg
September 29th, 2011 at 5:48 am
Can’t wait for the album! this album is DOPE!! I’m gonna pre-order right now via @ amazon.com
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Alexander
September 29th, 2011 at 5:54 am
This album hit the stores November 15th! Make sure to buy it! I’m gonna buy it for sure!
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Sofia
September 29th, 2011 at 5:58 am
love akon!
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Chandru
September 30th, 2011 at 5:17 am
I love Akon and his album will hit in nov 23 2011. It contains about 15 songs all the songs were made full of euro based beats and it can be a pop album. Wait for the release – Konvict
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Eduvan
February 24th, 2012 at 2:46 am
btsneryatsanthouy @TheSyrupMan ya boy is actually pretty dope. you gotta listen to his shit before Akon signed him tho cus now he’s all on that pop, mainstream, autotune shit tryin to make money. he’s from the bay and his music was actually sick tho. peep his old shit out homiee
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