SOHH ATLANTA

The daily pulse of the Atlanta hip-hop scene

SOHH Atlanta

Is Akon Worth The Hype?!?

Written by Gyant

Posted on March 7, 2007 12:20 PM

akonvibe.jpg

When Akon first stepped on the scene three years ago with his debut CD Trouble, I thought that he would be a “here today, gone today” type of artists. I didn’t hear anything particularly interesting about his voice or his music style. His hit singles “Locked Up”, and “Lonely” were mediocre in my book but they helped him secure a platinum album.

Fast forward three years and you’ll find that Akon is the toast of music scene. His new album Konvicted has already gone platinum after just six week’s and according to Billboards Hot 100 charts, he’s secured three Top 5 hits with “I Wanna Love (Fuck) you, “Smack That”, and his more recent single “Don’t Matter”. He’s graced numerous magazine publications, most notably this month’s Vibe magazine.

While the self proclaimed African’s (though he was born in St. Louis) unexpected success is great, I still am not sure where he fits amongst today’s music. I don’t find his music particularly interesting by any means. When I first heard “I Want To Fuck You”, I thought to myself well that’s was an easy song to write, how long did it take 30 minutes? Listening to “Smack That” I got the same feeling, because if you really pay attention to the song carefully, you will find that Akon is mostly singing a hook. But, Eminem is carrying that song more.

Now let’s all take a listen to Don’t Matter, I have posted Akon’s single along with R.Kelly’s “Iginition” track. If you listen carefully you’ll see that’s basically the same song.

AKON "DONT MATTER"

R.KELLY "IGNITION"

So again I have to question Akon’s future in music. If his future is going to be made off average lyrics with featured rappers, then will he have much of a future? Though that formula seems to work initially, as time goes on music fans desire more. And another thingâ€"how is he to go on tour if most his most popular songs need the hottest rapper(s) on the track?

Does anybody feel what I’m saying?

Talk to ya tomorrow,

--SOHH Gyant

241 Comments

By Ayo on March 7, 2007 12:54 PM

I know someone that is related to Akon, he said dude was never locked up. He was born in St. Louis? Im not sure about that, because i know he lived a lot of his life in Africa.

By Essex on March 7, 2007 2:07 PM

This dude Akon is overated like a muthafuckah.
But I'll do a track with the nigga any day.

By Big Smoov on March 7, 2007 3:08 PM

Yo,

I swear I saw this dude next to Amy Ruth's selling Dvd's, socks, and white-T's.

By Real rap on March 7, 2007 3:15 PM

Akon is a beast. He is selling because he is what is called a crossover artist. on his first album he had a song called "ghetto" that still gives ya boy the chillz.

By MsNeva on March 7, 2007 3:34 PM

"Don't Matter" sounds like acrylics draggin across a chalkboard...real talk...

Not particularly my cup of tea, but to each their own I suppose...props for findin his niche tho...hard 2 do in these days n times...

By Animate on March 7, 2007 3:35 PM

Akon is the current "hook man" like Nate Dogg was. He'll be around a little longer cause of the crossover success.

By Diplomat NYC on March 7, 2007 4:22 PM

I think thats the true mark of a success, the fact that he makes everything seem so simple. Also, he can make a record for more than one kind of audience, so he definitley has mass appeal. I would love to see him do a track with R. Kelly or Nate Dogg, now that would really be hot!

By Stone Mountain to TU on March 7, 2007 4:57 PM

How the hell is "ignition" and "dont matter" the same song. What are you listening to man!

By MsNeva on March 7, 2007 6:01 PM

Posted by: Animate at March 7, 2007 3:35 PM

I couldn't agree more!

By LMAO@GYANTS SPELLING SKILLS on March 7, 2007 6:24 PM

It's worth, not woth. Nigga you work for sohh, it would one thing if it was in someone's comments...................

By Dr. Chandler Licensed OB/GYN on March 7, 2007 9:33 PM

Anyone who uses the words "NO HOMO"
Is secretly Homo, black men please stop denying your feelings because you feel you have to be all "hardcore" and thugged out.
We all know that deep down inside you have feelings for Shawn

Black Men... Please now is the time to step out of the closet.

By Trae on March 7, 2007 9:38 PM

Akon lives here at least right? I hope so Ive seen him at Lenox, but comeon he isnt an Alanta artist

By JBLIZZ on March 8, 2007 3:18 AM

More hating by Gyant. Why not just be happy for the dudes success. Its funny how dude said he knows someone thats related to akon. You dont know shit. Dude really was locked up check the records man. Ive notived alot of hating on sohh by the journalists and the readers.

By Duvalllllll on March 8, 2007 5:39 AM

AKON is da truth, he’s doing something most artist don’t do and that is give back not only his money but time back to his country, he’s literally carrying his country on his back. And ignition compared to don’t matter please. And the best song on the album is “Mama Africa” from one African to another akon is a beast and this is only a begging he got the whole continent of Africa supporting him

By Que-T on March 8, 2007 5:48 AM

I agree with Jblizz. Theres a lot of hating coming from whoever wrote this shitty article. Like Jigga said, "record sales don't lie". Besides Akon is betta at wut he does than you are at writing articles bitch!!! KONVICT ................

By manners J on March 8, 2007 6:28 AM

damn, u hatin like a muhfucker. all that sounds the same is part of the hook, which he DELIBERATELY took from ignition.
to say locked up was overated lets me know u on crack. he aint no singer, lets not get it fucked up, but mostly he stays in his lane. i thought that eminem track was whack, and i can easily c how ppl would get annoyed with his voice. but he can produce, and he will give u a distinctive hook. let a nigga get his shine. what u question his future fo? which rnb nigga got two plat albums in 3 years. would u rather he whinin in the rain like these omarion n marques houston niggas n struggle to go gold.

By reela on March 8, 2007 10:20 AM

If Akon is not a beast then please answer the following questions:


1. Why has he sold more albums than even Jay-Z and Ludacris and Diddy and Snoop and Eminem?

2. People said he was done after his first album. His second album is the best in HIPHOP because if it wasn't, why would people buy it? Answer that, why would people buy it?

3. Why does anyone in America have an issue with Akon being from Africa? Why is that? I saw Jay-z go to Africa and get crowned honorary king in Nigeria. He took RocaWear marketing pictures in wildlife preserves in Tanzania to sell his products. Why is it that when an African in making it in America it is always a problem. He was even born in St. Louis. Are Africans not supposed to make it in America?

COMMENTARY:

Akon makes music for all people. Not just African Americans, Spanish, Whites, Jews, Asians or Arabs. This is what the typical artist will never achieve. You see, when you're so bent on not being open minded about music, you sell less records as an artist. When your lyrics are targeted to only one group or race or genre, you'll struggle in record sales.

We're not even considering Akon's record sales outside America. No other Hip Hop artist released in 2006 has sold more than Akon outside America. None, yes I said None. The proof is in the pudding.

Outside America, Akon has murdered every artist in Hip Hop in record sales do you want to know why?

The guys makes music for everyone. Think hard about that. Music for everybody. And if you think his Third album will not sell, you said the same about his Second album. I'm out.

By WNM07 on March 8, 2007 1:59 PM

I think dude's a homo that has his voice synthesized because he really can't sing. He talks like a bitch, too.

By LadyChi on March 8, 2007 5:34 PM

Akon is a phony, and I ain't never heard him really talk about livin' in Africa,he probably never been until he got famous,dude he not real at all. He be lying about dumb shit,and I knew he was lying when he said all African believes in polygamy. Dumb ass Nigga,but he music good,and I don't think he should talk in public cause he just makes hisself sound like an idoit.

By Raw Dawg on March 8, 2007 7:33 PM

Call me crazy but I thought SOHH was suppose to be the haps on the ATL - not muthafuckas reppin' Africa, not 50 cent, not Young Buck, not fucking MIMS, etc.

Gyant, you was improving but now you going down in a fucking blaze.

SOHH, please get someone who even pretends to care about the ATL - this fucking ass whipe can't even do that.

By Not your honey on March 8, 2007 10:00 PM

He is of African heritage, he was born in St. Louis, but his father and mother are born in Africa. What he is saying by representing his African heritage is that he is proud to be African and a he by all means is African. A first generation American but an African by all regards. Other people do it all the time, immigrate have thier children and grow them in American but recognize they are still part of a culture. Get it straight dude is clearly proud of his African heritage.

And while I do agree he is a hook guy, he's still making his money and all these other artist's are jumping on his bandwagon for hits. Do your thing Akon, take that paper and show these Americans that an African brother can do the damn thing.

By Bayan on March 9, 2007 5:44 AM

lemme say this, Akon music is not black music as we know it, cuz it ain't rooted in American blacks musical tradition, so he can't be considered an artist of any black music genre, yeah he sounds African, and that's fuckin boring
he some pop singer of African heritage like Youssou N'Dour, if u ever heard of 'im, the fact that he uses hip hop beats don't make his music hip hop or rnb, it's not even raggamafin or dancehall, Btiney sang over Neptunes beat, so what?

i can't relate to his music all the more it's primitive and don't get the secret of his popularity

By Bayan on March 9, 2007 5:48 AM

n who said Nate Dogg?
as we say in russian: Akon ain't even layed nearby Nate Dogg
how can u compare soul singing with some random sounds of annoying timbre

By REALMUSIC on March 9, 2007 6:40 PM

At first I wasnt fuckn with Akon at all..I though his vocals sounded mad fake...but once I realized he makes all his own beats, and plays the drums on his tracks, i gained a little more respect for dude...if your frontin on Akon now...check out the new Memphis Bleek track ft. Akon on HipHopGame's audio section..the song is FIRE!

By shawtyrepsouf on March 9, 2007 9:18 PM

Either you like him or ya don't. To me, all his shit sounds the damn same but it's tolerable. If he continues doing what he do, he'll be here for awhile because he got way more artists to do hooks for haha. I think his music aight but I ain't no big ass fan cuz all of that shit sound the damn same!

By j on March 10, 2007 7:12 AM

what the fuck is wrong with this SOHH guy? U been smokin pot or somethin?

By kuma on March 12, 2007 2:08 PM

Stop hating akon is black any of you guys then you go on blaming white fro racism since you don't like your own kind .wether is African or American is still a black dude so fuck you all

By X Man on March 12, 2007 8:29 PM

to Bayan: there are a lot of rappers who are African including: Styles P(mother from S.Africa), Chamillionaire(Nigerian), Papoose(Sierra Leone), Jean Grae(South African born), so please stop all that bullshit.

This article seems like it's pure hate because the writer didn't talk about his other songs. Author of this blog post was selective in the music he decided to criticize.

and for those who think he wasn't locked up why hasn't anyone exposed him yet?????

By Karyn Duff on March 20, 2007 12:48 PM

Yes, I really have something to say all ya'll people need to stop talking shit about other people and the famous people. We as thier fans are not suppose to bring them down we are supppose to build them up. The person who made this website or who came up this idea, it is so sicking that all you do is sit up here and talk shit about people. What you are not happy with yourself,so you got to talk about other people, that is so pitiful. PLEASE GO GET A LIFE!A.S.A.P.
IF YOU DONT LIKE WHAT I WROTE YOU CAN HIT ME UP ON WWW.YAHOO.COM/ICECREAMVANILLAICE

By Yo Mama! on March 23, 2007 2:52 PM

No SOHH Gyant, no one feel wat u r sayin', 'cause u just a DAMN FAGGIT who's prolly mad 'cause Akon "don't wanna fuck you". GET A FUCKING LIFE U LIL FAGGIT FUCK! lol

By dra on March 24, 2007 6:20 PM

you gay need to stop all this ,akon is not white ,is black please

By Dub on April 30, 2007 1:57 PM

This guy here at sohh GYANT, are you white or are you a rapper or singer that never made it? With all the bootlegging and downloading that goes on(White people do it too) This man still went double platinum and all I hear is hate. He's not this and he did that. Show luv to those who deserve it.

By Dynamo on May 23, 2007 4:45 PM

I really dont agree with you SOHH.Akon is worth all the credit he's getting.And guys,lay off the insults,SOHH was only expressing his opinion no need for Badmouthing.And does it really matter if Akon was Locked up or not?

By yung tru on July 11, 2007 11:22 AM

Shoot I would do a song with akon anytime that's a gaurenteed hit fa show. I just dont think i can afford it! lol

By zakiya on July 17, 2007 3:52 AM

here yall bicthez going with the hating he was so lock up you dumb as bitch .and hes not from st.louis because you can tell in dude fast hes from some part in africa and his did is and him is from some way in africa can you tell from the way he talk dayum rumors have it all

By Olivia James on July 17, 2007 10:10 AM

Why yall hating like that? At the end of the day, it don't really matter where the f--k his from. He just happens to be a very successful artist and if you don't have any love to give, then just shut the f--k up bitchez. I know he was locked up and that he was born in the States but went to Senegal (for all yall dumbos out there… Senegal is in AFRIKA!!) as a baby and returned to the States at the age of around 10. Both his parents are from Senegal His dad happens to be a very famous African musician that migrated to America. Do your research haters... it really ain't hard!!

By Olivia James on July 17, 2007 10:14 AM

Why yall hating like that? At the end of the day, it don't really matter where the f--k his from. He just happens to be a very successful artist and if you don't have any love to give, then just shut the f--k up bitchez. I know he was locked up and that he was born in the States but went to Senegal (for all yall dumbos out there… Senegal is in AFRIKA!!) as a baby and returned to the States at the age of around 10. Both his parents are from Senegal His dad happens to be a very famous African musician that migrated to America. Do your research haters... it really ain't hard!!

By Olivia James on July 17, 2007 10:16 AM

Why yall hating like that? At the end of the day, it don't really matter where the f--k his from. He just happens to be a very successful artist and if you don't have any love to give, then just shut the f--k up bitchez. I know he was locked up and that he was born in the States but went to Senegal as a baby (for all yall dumbos out there… Senegal is in AFRIKA!!) and returned to the States at the age of around 10. Both his parents are from Senegal His dad happens to be a very famous African musician that migrated to America. Do your research haters... it really ain't hard!!

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By zai on August 19, 2007 11:54 AM

why are all u dudes hating on akon? he is so damn good by the way ........ i know so much about him and what he sings he comes from the neighboring country from where i am ........ he is senegalese ........ and was born there ........ and damn people over there are crazy about him he had a councert over there but he couldnt play just cuz it was over crowded and people were hurting ....... if u african americans dont love him we do by the way y'all need to read history ...... am sure with that u will appreciate him more ............

By topshotta on September 6, 2007 11:25 PM

why when a black man is makin wicked music, ya'll gotta hate? akon is doin his thing boi....u dont even have to like his music to know he is something fresh, cause some of the rubbish thats comin out now is crazy...KONVICT MUSIC!!!

By topshotta on September 6, 2007 11:39 PM

why is dis rassclatt writer hating so much...fuck him!!!

By KILLA on September 10, 2007 6:02 AM

First and foremost.
fuck the dude who wrote this article and fuck the haters, dick suckers yall just mad ur lives aint worthy a shit.
akon is the shit....damn thats the essence of a true artist. he gat money but he still talks about struggle....thats looking at the world with a black mans eyes.
yall need to get a hobby of some, than talking shit u dont know non about.
fuck yall.
be u white or black or wut ever yo muthafuckin race and back ground. catch a slug and die slow for talking senseless....yall fuckers dont even listen to urselves. pussy ass bloggers....suck a dick and die nameless

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