That’s right everybody, hip-hop’s favorite crooner Akon is back with his newest album Freedom. It seems that with Akon people either love him or hate him but the bottom line is the guy can make a hit record like nobody else. The album starts off with the lead off single “Right Now” which is vintage Akon. The hook is catchy. The melody is bangin’ and it’s a flat out hit.

On the hot track “Beautiful” Akon teams up with Konvict artists Colby O’Donis and Kardinal Offishall. All three deliver nicely and this song is just made for the club, very dope track. “Keep You Much Longer” is an upbeat poppy song and Akon doesn’t break stride because it’s a standout.

Akon revisits his criminal past on “Troublemaker” with some help from Sweet Rush. The concept is simple and so it the beat but it’s a great song. “We Don’t Care” is another guaranteed club banger as Akon spits his usual game of women, money, and clubs. Maybe the best track on the album is “I’m So Paid” featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy. It’s basically like a better updated version of locked up as all three artists come in top form.

Akon and T-Pain get together for “Holla Holla” where they talk about what else? The ladies. Thi s is another great song and it’s cool to see T-Pain and Akon on the same track. Akon and Ray Lavender team up for “Against The Grain” where Akon recalls falling in love with a, well, ho. It’s been done before but Akon puts his own spin on it and Ray Lavender performs well.

“Be With You” doesn’t differ much in terms of content but the beat has more of an island-tinged sound to it. Akon’s vocals fit perfectly over the track. Akon brings in Wyclef for a slower mellow track called “Sunny Day”. It’s not a ballad but not a club banger either. Clef and Akon have good chemistry and the track works really well. “Birthmark” is a song where Akon takes the opportunity to apologize to a lover scorned. I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record but this song is tight. “Over The Edge” has a more theatrical and dramatic feel to it and it suits Akon well. Akon wraps up the album with the title track and it’s a perfect ending. It feels like a final track as Akon lays his vocals over the close to ballad like track.

The only thing I have difficulty doing is figuring out what category to put Akon in. Is he an R&B artist? Is he a pop artist? Whatever he is he’s good at it and Akon makes the smart decision every time by sticking to the old saying “if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it”. A lot of people might have a problem with this comment but this album is a classic. Every single song is hot. From the first track to the last this album is incredible and it shows why Akon is where he is in the game today. I’m going to say it again. This album is classic.