UB ReVisit: Akon Talks Konvict, Freedom and Michael Jackson

R&B Singer Akon is celebrating the anniversary of “Konvicted,” one of his biggest records, with the HD video release of hit songs from the album.

“Don’t Matter,” “Smack That,” and “Sorry, Blame It On Me” received the HD treatment for the 14th Anniversary of Konvicted, check them out below. “Right Now (Na Na Na),” “Beautiful,” and “I’m So Paid” will be available on December 2nd, 2020, to celebrate the 12th anniversary of “Freedom.”

Released 14 years ago on November 14, 2006, Konvicted helped launch Akon into superstardom and made him a household name, debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 and going on to receive a 3X Platinum certification from the RIAA, with the aforementioned “Don’t Matter” (#1 on the Billboard Hot 100),” “Smack That” (#2 on the Billboard Hot 100), and “Sorry, Blame It On Me” (#7 on the Billboard Hot 100) all reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

Similarly, Freedom (released 12 years ago on December 2, 2008) reached chart success, debuting at #7 on the Billboard 200, with all of its singles (“Right Now (Na Na Na)” at #8, “Beautiful” at #19, “I’m So Paid” at #31) reaching the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Akon began releasing music with his 2004 debut “Trouble”, which featured his breakthrough hits “Locked Up” and “Lonely.” After his commercial breakthrough, he founded Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution, helping launch the careers of T-Pain, Kardinal Official and more. He has also focused on philanthropy with his Akon Lighting Africa, which has helped bring electricity to 15 countries of Africa.

Next Month, Akon will be announcing his next highly anticipated album titled “#1.”

In this ReVisit, celebrating our 15 Year Anniversary. We ReVisit our December 2008 interview with Akon. Akon spoke to Aries from UB about his “Freedom” album, how Michael Jackson was almost apart of the project and he talks about the traditional stripper anthem “Go Go Dancer.”

Akon also gets candid on T-Pain getting more shine than him and shares the worst part about his success.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell me about the new album Freedom?
Akon: It’s the new album Aries (both laugh), just playing. But it’s crazy!!! It was so much fun recording this album. I had the freedom really to do just what I wanted, that’s why I called it “Freedom.” I did things I always wanted to do like with the European/International club sound. It’s like the fans have already adapted to the Konvict sound, so this time around I really wanted to push the envelop a bit.

UrbanBridgez.com: “I’m So Paid” is blowing up, with a title like that are you ever worried when writing, that you won’t reach the fans who can’t identify with the subject matter of the song?
Akon: Not at all. Everyone puts out music to reach their fanbase. I feel with mine there are people who can relate to the song(s) and of course some that can’t. At the end of the day, if they’re a fan of mine, they will understand and get into it. I’m always trying to grow with my music, so my fans should grow with me. I feel if they can’t get down with it then they wasn’t a real fan to begin with.

UrbanBridgez.com: Go Go Dancer is an interesting title, tell me about that song?
Akon: It’s actually a song I share with DJ Drama. It’s for the strip clubs (laughs). It’s the strip-club anthem for 2009. You know every year we at Konvict have to put out a song for the strip-clubs. Weather it be me or Pain, it’s a tradition.

UrbanBridgez.com: There was a rumor that Michael Jackson was going to be featured, but his name doesn’t appear on the tracklisting. Are you still scheduled to record with him for his new project?
Akon: Yeah we were going to put the song I recorded with him on the album, but it got leaked online. So it wasn’t an event anymore. So we’re going to do something else for my next album or we might do it for his new album.

UrbanBridgez.com: You and T-Pain – one of your artist for some who forget that, have basically taken over the game right now. Did you ever imagine 3 years ago you guys would have this much success already under your belts?
Akon: That was really the goal. To make hot music that would appeal to the masses. I always set out to have my artists be bigger than me. So I can just sit back in Miami and get fat as a reward (laughs). So with Pain it was evident that he was a big star. He has done so much already and had a lot of success outside of Konvict as well.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s been the best and worst parts about your success?
Akon: The best is to get the chance to travel, just to really escape at times. Do different things you may not get to do and visit different locations you might not be able to afford to go on the regular. You get educated on different things in life. And of course the financial benefit. The Negative side to that , is the lack of privacy you get with being successful. People have the tendency to misjudge you and never even met you. So they have no idea who you really are, but they think they know.

UrbanBridgez.com: We spoke to Kardinal recently and of course he gave you mad props for putting him on, what was it about him that made you want to sign him?
Akon: I wanted to sign Kardinal because when I heard him, he really has a style of his own. Like in the beginning stages of Hip-Hop where the artists were really different and very creative, he brings me back to that. He had a lot of fame in Canada and I just wanted to make it worldwide and to help him get more exposure.

UrbanBridgez.com: Tell us about some of your up-coming production projects coming up in the near future?
Akon: Man, I have no idea even where to start on that one (laughs). If somebody has something new coming out soon or next year, we’re somewhere on it (laughs).

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some artists you would like to work with, that you haven’t had the chance as of yet?
Akon: Actually there are only two, Jay-Z and Beyonce.’ I can’t name anybody else. I’ve worked with everybody else.

UrbanBridgez.com: Will you tour for this album?
Akon: Absolutely! We’re on a tour now and once this one ends we’re going to start setting up for the Freedom tour.

UrbanBridgez.com: Outside of music, what’s next for you?
Akon: I got two clothing lines coming. The first is Konvict, we’re launching that one over the holiday season. And then we got Aliaune, that we’re going to launch in the Spring of 2009.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
Akon: Just really to thank them for the support they’ve given us at Konvict, from day one! We plan on growing larger and it’s great we got real fans!!