I happen to find this album in a store for $8.99, and I knew I loved the song Bananza so I decided to pick up the CD. I knew I could not beat the price. Well this album actually surprised me, and it's really, really good. Unlike some of the other reviewers I never heard the song Locked up until I listened to the CD. I don't listen to the radio because I'm sick of hearing the same songs, over, and over, and over again.

Akon has a nice melodious voice. You hear his voice, and you instantly think Caribbean, but he is singing some really meaningful R&B songs. He also produced all the songs on his debut CD. He does not sound like anyone else out there, which makes me appreciate his material that much more. The songs he sings are about different phases in his life. He has lived a tough life. So he gives you a peek into his life through his songs. This album makes you sit up and take notice when you listen to the words. It's very refreshing to hear an album that is not laced with lyrics full of sexual innuendo, and the materialistic life. This brother is singing about being in jail, and life after. The song I love the most is Bananza. I remember hearing that song in 2003, and it took me about a two weeks to finally find out who this brother was. He was getting radio play, but I could never catch the name if the Artist. That's my favorite song to workout too when I'm jogging along the trail I jog on.

My favorite songs are:

3. Bananza
4. Gangta
5. Ghetto
7. Show Out
9. When the Time is right
10. Journey
12. Easy road

This album is a good first effort, and if you pick it up you won't be disappointed.

Like most people, I got my first Akon experience with Bananza (Belly Dancer), a fresh, original dance track with an infectious beat. The next track that grabbed my attention was the unusual sampling of Bobby Vinton's hit on "Lonely".

Originally from Senegal, Akon (formerly Aliaune Thiam) blends his heritage, his inherited musical talent and the experiences of a troubled youth, into an exciting debut album of hip hop and R&B.

His strength is in the soulful R&B songs, his unique accent giving the lyrics an extra edge, but his rapping isn't too bad either.

Despite the x-rated lyrics on Gangsta (featuring Daddy T. Picklehead and Devyne), it has a compelling driving beat, and is one of the better songs on the album. Other picks are "Locked Up", "Ghetto", "Pot of Gold", "Show Out" and "Trouble Nobody".

The version I have has 15 tracks, corresponding to the listing on the UK album. There are two extra versions of "Locked Up" and the bonus song "Gunshot", which has a catchy Caribbean style chorus.

An excellent debut album from a young man finally on the right side of the tracks.

Amanda Richards, June 2, 2005

I heard Locked Up on the radio and i hated it! It wasn't until i heard the song Bananza (Belly Dancer) when i decided to check his cd out... I listened to it in the mall an downloaded all 12 tracks as soon as i got home... Heres my thoughts on the album*

1. Locked Up- 8/10 It took some time for me to like it, but Akons voice really saves this song...

2. Trouble Nodody- 10/10 I liked this song the first time i heard it, great track!

3. Bananza (Belly Dancer)- 10/10 One of my favorite songs on the cd!!!

4. Gangsta- 5/10 It's the worst song on the album, the verses are terrible...

5. Ghetto- 10/10 Amazing song, the course is great!!!

6. Pot Of Gold- 6/10 Not sure about this song...

7. Show Out- 9/10 Fun song, ...show ouT!!

8. Lonely- 10/10 I listen to this song every day... "Cus ain't nowhere in the globe i'd rather be, an ain't nowone in the globe i'd rather see, then the girl of my dreams that makes me be, so happy but now i'm so lonely"!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!

9. When The Time's Right- 7/10 ..ok, but the lyrics suck!

10. Journy- 10/10 Just another great song on the album...

11. Don't Let Up- 10/10 Tight beat, great vocals, even better lyrics!!!

12. Easy Road- 10/10 cool way to end the album...

AKON's ON TOP!!!

RAP OF YESTERDAY: In 1987, Run DMC teams up with Aerosmith for a re-recording of "Walk This Way", and in 1991, Public Enemy teams up with Anthrax for the AWESOME "Bring The Noise".

RAP TODAY: In 2005, Akon teams up with Alvin and the Chipmunks to record "Lonely".

'Nuff said.

Well in may I had a school dance, so I sat down with a bunch of chicks to take a break from dancing (I was pretty sweaty, just in the face area) and so alluva sudden, I hear this voice that sounds like some guy trying smoke pot and snort coke at the same time, coming out of the speaker! He appears to be saying "Lonely! Hi Mr. Lonely! I've not nobody, I'm on my own!"

So then I laugh my ass off, thinking it was the DJ trying to [...] around with us.

So then I ask the chick on my left, "What the f*** is this?!"

She goes, "It's Akon and his HORRIBLE stinker, Lonely."

I Laugh. I go, "It sounds nothing like AKON at all!"

This guy just plain SUCKS. He is ripping of K-Os, and he just adds these lame lyrics and stupid beats into his song. Yet another lame MTV ripoff artist.

Oh well. This sucks, same goes for pretty much every rapper (except K-Os) out there.