Rolling Stone described Akon's third studio album as "melodrama about love and love lost delivered in a hooting style over synth-swamped beats." Dan LeRoy of The Hartford Courant gave a positive review to the album, stating, "Akon's undeniable gift for hooks makes this an easy listen, and the ex-con posturing isn't missed." The Boston Globe also stated, "This tuneful, seemingly effortless set of sun-kissed pop reminds you why he's in so much demand." 411mania gave the album a score of eight out of ten and said, "This CD is great for the clubs and perhaps for driving down the road trying to find something to put in your cars, but the lyrics are your basic run-of-the-mill crunk song lyrics and leave you a little empty.
AKON CD TRACK LIST PROFESSIONAL
"Troublemaker" seems to be a continuation of Akon's first solo #1 Billboard Hot 100 single " Don't Matter", with the lyrics suggesting that it is, as he says "Similar to the words it don't matter, but this time they wanna see us together, look at us now."Ĭritical reception Professional ratings Aggregate scoresįreedom has a score of 58 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "mixed or average reviews". The tracks "Against the Grain" and "We Don't Care" were originally named "Falling in Love" and "Could You Be the Reason" respectively. The leaked version of the lead single " Right Now (Na Na Na)" included verse rapper Danny Fernandes but never made the final cut Akon decided to go solo. The UK bonus track, "Clap Again" samples "Click Click Click" by New Kids on the Block. However, on October 17, Akon's label released information on the track listing and the album does not feature the duet with Jackson. In an interview with MTV, Akon was hopeful to include the song on the album. The leaked song was rumored to be featured on both his and Jackson's own upcoming album. The song was originally posted as an Akon demo with only Akon performing the song. In July, a leaked recording of Akon's duet with Michael Jackson titled " Hold My Hand" was released to the Internet and at first showings of the song was supposedly taken out by Akon's music label. Although there are some vulgarities on Freedom, it does not carry the Parental Advisory warning, making it Akon's first album not to do so. Originally the album was to be called Acquitted, but was later confirmed to be Freedom by Akon's label, Universal Music. Production on the album began in May 2008 and ended in late of the same year.