Konvicted

Konvicted is the second studio album by Senegalese-American singer-songwriter Akon. It was released on November 14, 2006. The album features collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Styles P and T-Pain.

Konvicted debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 284,000 copies in its first week. It was later certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), also resulting Akon's best selling album worldwide. The album was nominated for three Grammy Awards in two categories, Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

Background

The album's title refers to Akon supposedly spending three years in prison from 1999 to 2002 for being part of an auto-theft ring.

Akon discussed the making of the album in a 2022 track-by-track video. Talking about its music he said: “When I first started in the music business I started as a producer. But as a producer I was also a ghost producer. Konvicted was a way of merging all of those sounds in one, because I grew up listening to everything and anybody, but also creating sounds for a lot of producers”. The singer said that the album's lyrics were based on his personal life's experiences.

Music and lyrics

Konvicted musically mixes R&B, hip hop and reggae. According to AllMusic, its lyrical production mostly "offers more ultra-macho R&B", while still delivering introspective content. The Guardian noted that Akon in the album portrays a more hip-hop persona unlike his R&B contemporaries, usually conformed in more romantic productions. Akon on Konvicted delivers for the most part his signature "warm, nasal" vocal performances.

Release and singles

The album was accompanied by several different bonus tracks depending on territory. In the UK, the track "Gringo" was issued. "Gringo" also became a bonus track for Target customers in the US. In Japan, the UK B-Side "Struggle Everyday" became the final track on the album. "Struggle Everyday" also became a bonus track for Circuit City customers in the US. All digital versions of the album come accompanied by a remix of "I Wanna Love You", featuring Snoop Dogg and Eminem.

Walmart customers in the US were treated to four exclusive bonus tracks, including unreleased tracks "Fair to You" and "Still Alone", plus Walmart Live Soundcheck versions of "Mama Africa" and "I Wanna Love You". The Platinum Edition of the album, issued in 2007, came complete with the new single "Sorry Blame It On Me", a new track entitled "Rush", and a remix of "Don't Matter". Some editions of the album also came packaged with a bonus DVD, containing a thirty-minute documentary and three music videos. "Smack That", "I Wanna Love You" and "Don't Matter" were certified 3× platinum by RIAA. Also "Never Took the Time" was released as promotional single on October 16, 2007.

Critical reception

The Guardian praised Akon's vocal performances on Konvicted: “His voice is wonderful, an instrument of silky versatility; it's arresting to hear tales of strippers, jail and drug dealing, interspersed with the occasional bout of chest-beating angst, sung in such a seductive style.” Spin commented that the album “works like a backpacker’s version of a tough-guy hip-hop album”. Robert Christgau wrote that it “answers the burning question of whether R. Kelly's priorities would be improved by hard time more ambiguously than one would hope”. Rolling Stone talking about its lyrics, said that “while crooners like Usher and Ne-Yo sing to the ladies, Akon sings for the guys”.

Chart performance

Konvicted debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 284,000 copies that week. The album was able to stay within the top twenty for 28 consecutive weeks, but eventually started to drop slowly. On November 19, 2007, the RIAA certified Konvicted 3× platinum status with 3 million units sold in the United States. In 2007, the album became the second best selling record of the year in the U.S., behind Daughtry by Daughtry.

Controversy surrounding convicted felon image

Despite his history of presenting himself as a convicted felon, which has even included him claiming to have at one point in time been the leader of car theft ring, it has been acknowledged that Akon had in fact fictionalized his criminal history, with his only criminal conviction by this point in time being in 1998 for a gun charge which resulted in him only receiving three years probation and no prison time.

Track listing

Personnel

• Akon – production, executive producer
• Devyne Stephens – executive producer, creative direction
• Rawle Stewart – co–executive producer
• Eddy Schreyer – mastering
• Joe Spix – art direction, art design
• Jonathan Mannion – photography
• Fiskani – wardrobe stylist
• Cragg Brown – coordinator

Charts

Certifications

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