Production on the album began in late 2007 and ended in the late summer of this year. Originally the album was to be called Acquitted, but was later confirmed to be Freedom by Akon’s label, Universal Music. Here’s the tracklist:

1. “Right Now (Na Na Na)” - 4:06
2. “Beautiful” (featuring Colby O’Donis & Kardinal Offishall) - 5:13
3. “Keep You Much Longer” - 4:18
4. “Troublemaker” (featuring Sweet Rush) - 3:57
5. “We Don’t Care” - 3:34
6. “I’m So Paid” (featuring Young Jeezy & Lil Wayne) - 3:26
7. “Holla Holla” (featuring T-Pain) - 2:58
8. “Against The Grain” (featuring Ray Lavender) - 3:46
9. “Be With You” - 3:49
10. “Sunny Day” (featuring Wyclef Jean) - 3:15
11. “Birthmark” - 3:59
12. “Over the Edge” - 4:20
13. “Freedom” - 4:12

The collaboration with Michael Jackson was probably Akon’s ultimate goal. There were some rumors that he would retire after he will launch his new album Acquitted but he told the press that he has no desire to retire just yet. He teamed with Michael for a couple of songs and after Hold my Hand is the most expected song from the new Acquitted album. Akon told MTV that Michael was his idol since he was a small child and the collaboration with him it’s like a dream that came true.

He had a wish list with all the collaborations he would love to do and Michael was at the top of this list. He was saying ‘Well, if ever I get to Mike, then that’ll be the sign I can retire.” Since he teamed Michael Jackson so early he decided not to make retirement goals from now on. The new single will have a special video and Jackson will probably appear in it. The other single that he recorded with Michael Jackson, Wanna Be Startin Something is already available on alltel ringtones and it would be lovely to hear the new single as soon as possible. Until then, i found an exclusive instrumental of Hold my Hand.

Nigel Nassar
Kampala

THE crowd was mammoth and ecstatic. Everyone, young and old, VIP and ordinary, got on their feet, singing and dancing along. Akon did not disappoint. His live concert on Friday night was worth every penny revellers paid for it.

The venue, Lugogo Cricket Oval, was full to the brim. It had filled up by 6:00pm, about two hours before the beginning of the show.

Recorded music entertained the crowd until the first curtain raiser, Uganda’s Chameleone, got onto the stage. He was followed by Bebe Cool.

Then came a close substitute. Nigerian US-based duo P-Square got onto the stage and sang the remaining chill out of the audience. They taught the crowd the Do Me dance - and it was quick to learn.

Finally, at about 10:45pm, Akon stepped onto the stage to claim his show, sending revellers into a frenzy.

They screamed and jumped high in the air with their hands reaching out, trying to touch him.

Clad in a black cardigan with its hood covering his head, a pair of blue denim jeans and black dancing shoes, he let out a loud holler: “Uganda, are you ready?”

The “yes” response was deafening.

Then he uncovered his head, revealing a wavy hairdo and diamond-studded earlobes.

“What a hunk!” a lady in the VIP section yelled.

Then the Senegalese-American R&B/Hip-hop sensation set the ball rolling, singing out his heart and thrilling Kampala with more than 15 of his hits, including Mama Africa and Locked Up.

By the time the show ended, one and a half hours later, he had stripped to a bare chest and thrown the four T-shirts he had been wearing into the crowd.

MTV Arabia, the region’s first Arabic free-to-air youth entertainment and lifestyle channel, will accompany AKON, the soul superstar, to the Urban Desert Event on April 18 in Dubai festival city.This will be Akon’s second visit to the Middle East—he first performed at the MTV Arabia launch ceremony in November 2007.

The channel offers viewers a chance to “meet and greet” with Akon and FAT JOE, which will be recorded and broadcast on the MTV Arabia screen. They will also have the chance to win free tickets.

“MTV aims to provide opportunities for young Arabs to be at the heart of these major events—we are a media window for the young generation, both in terms of presenting different global cultures in one media space, and allowing them to express their ambitions and aspirations through the MTV Arabia platform,” said Samir Al Marzouki, the Channel Manager of MTV Arab Arabia.

Participants must send a short text message to 2334 (Etisalat) or 4326 (du) with the words “Meet And Greet.” Winners will be selected at random on 16 April.

For more details about the MTV Arabia competition, and for the list of code numbers for participation from the rest of the Arab countries, please visit the Web site www.mtva.com.