Keri Hilson and Akon fix up and look sharp in H&M’s celebrity-driven collection for Fashion Against AIDS. The campaign, which also stars Selma Blair, Penn Badgley, Sky Ferreira, Nikki Reed, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scissor Sisters, Shiloh Fernandez, and The Misshapes, features each participant posing in the unisex line, of which 25% of all sales will be donated to the Designers Against AIDS charity. Miss Keri appears in a sexy slogan jumpsuit and fanny pack in her ad, while Akon rocks a gray hoodie and sleek vest.
The Konvict crooner explained that his involvement stems from his personal experience with those afflicted with the virus. “I’ve had a lot of friends who’ve been in the situation where their friends and family have been affected by HIV,” he said. “As I travel the world, I see how much HIV affects people. It’s not like we have a cure for HIV, we only have prevention. Make sure you are protected so that you don’t ever have to worry about it. Ever.”
Look out for the collection hitting H&M stores and online on April 26.
Chris Brown jetted from Los Angeles to meet up with Team Breezy at his second listening session in Atlanta on Tuesday (March 15). His ATL fans were in for a surprise when Ludacris, Akon, and Polow Da Don showed up to share the stage with Breezy, who wore a blue F.A.M.E. hoodie and cap while giving an impromptu performance. He will host another listening in Washington, D.C. tonight before heading to New York City on Thursday.
During a visit to “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” Chris said he’s not too concerned about his album leaking in advance of its March 22 release date. “I’m not even that mad about it ’cause I always put out free music,” he said. “I kinda constantly always put out mixtape after mixtape after mixtape, so it’s not really any pressure. I feel like the music will speak for itself at the end of the day. If people wanna buy it, that’s great. But even if people hear it in general, I did my job as an artist.”
Swizz Beatz gets “Freaky” on this week’s installment of Monster Mondays, linking up with Jadakiss, Akon, and Ruff Ryders Indy’s Shella and Mook for an electro-dipped club banger. As a synthesizer flutters underneath handclaps and a thumping kick drum, each rapper takes turns spitting about keeping it fresh with big bank accounts.
“I’m fresh, dressed like a million bucks/ With a pocketful of money and I’m ready to cut/ While shorty lookin’ at me like she’s ready to lust/ I gotta king size waterbed on my tour bus, so let’s start it off,” sings Akon on the catchy chorus.
Shortly after rocking with the Black Eyed Peas during the Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show, Usher announced that he’s planning on bringing his talents to the U.S. yet again. The entertainer will hit the road with supporting act Akon on the second leg of his “OMG Tour” in North America.
Clinton Sparks and Akon pose quite the ultimatum on “Unless We F#*?in,” a track catering to the club crowd. The anthem, driven by a pounding beat and slithering synthesizers, sees the Konvict singer trading lines with the international DJ about getting it in.
“OK girl/ I gotta question/ It’s OK girl/ Me ask you a question,” croons Akon before Sparks spices it up. “I just wanna know girl/ Are you down to f**k or not/ I ain’t trying to talk a lot/ You like rappers, here’s your shot,” he sings.
Sean Kingston shows his romantic side on the Akon-assisted “You Girl,” where he pledges his allegiance to his girl no matter what they go through. Set to a mid-tempo beat accented by bleeping synthesizers, the cut from Kingston’s King of Kingz mixtape (Feb. 3) serves as an ode to getting boo’d up.
“My shawty gon’ love me no matter what/ Never price it, swipe it, buy it up/ My shawty gon’ love me no matter what/ Whatcha say baby girl, we gon’ live it up,” promises the 20-year-old singer, while Akon provides the hook.
Akon gets on his suit and tie bidness on the club-friendly “Drop Down” featuring Ludacris, which may appear on his upcoming album Stadium. With an upbeat, synth-laced instrumental, the Senegalese singer commands the girls to break it on down while Luda swoops in for a fast-paced verse, bragging about making fans swoon. Drop it on down by listening below.
Keri Hilson jetted back to Atlanta to attend music executive Devyne Stephens’ 3rd annual Winter Wonderland Christmas gala at Buckhead Theatre on Wednesday night (Dec. 22). The festive evening featured a performance from Babyface and drew attendees such as Kelly Rowland, Toni Braxton, Jermaine Dupri, and Jazze Pha.
Guests at the white carpet cocktail reception, benefitting Devyne Intervention and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, were greeted by Santa Claus and live reindeer, Nutcracker drummers, angels, ballerinas, and toy soldiers.
Miss Keri will pop bottles with Lloyd and Polow Da Don in her hometown tonight to celebrate her album release. No Boys Allowed is expected to sell 90-100,000 copies in its first week.
