Akon

Akon revives the long-absent idea that mainstream R&B doesn't have to be either purely materialist club fare or sappy paeans to teen love. "The Rain" is a gorgeous reflection on self-doubt, while the Afro-centric "Mama Africa" finds Akon musically reconnecting with his roots. Of course, that's not to suggest that Senegalese singer doesn't know how to turn out dancefloors. "Smack That" (featuring Eminem) was one of the biggest club hits of 2006, and the propulsive "Gangster Bop" delivers a powerful narrative on loss and cyclical violence.

While crooners like Usher and Ne-Yo sing to the ladies, Akon sings for the guys -- mostly
about wanting to bend the ladies over. That raunchiness and Akon's silky, instantly
recognizable vocals have made him an in-demand hook dude -- he guested on more than
forty tracks this year. The singer-producer minces no words on tracks like "I Wanna Fuck
You" and "Smack That," featuring Eminem, but shows some range on more reflec... More >