(July 30, 2019) Since rising up the ranks in the 2000s with club bangers like “I Wanna Love You”, “Don’t Matter” and the T-Pain-helmed “Bartender,” reggaeton hip-hop star Akon has been on our radar in some form or fashion. We really lit up when he powered one of Michael Jackson’s last recordings, the posthumously-released “Hold My Hand.”
(July 30, 2019) Since rising up the ranks in the 2000s with club bangers like “I Wanna Love You”, “Don’t Matter” and the T-Pain-helmed “Bartender,” reggaeton hip-hop star Akon has been on our radar in some form or fashion. We really lit up when he powered one of Michael Jackson’s last recordings, the posthumously-released “Hold My Hand.”
But for some odd reason, his stardom suddenly faded, with albums completely scrapped and singles grossly ignored. Now, Akon is eyeing a return to the front and is dropping new material for his forthcoming LP, El Negreeto, which would be his first album in eleven years!And what a surprise; the latest single, “Low Key,” is a summer anthem beauty. With a cascade of tropical vibes and dancehall vibrations, this groovy adventure starts off with playful romance, as Akon identifies the needs of a beautiful woman now tired of the childish games (“She’s tired of wanting somebody, oh/Want a real man and not a copy, oh”).
By the time the chorus and that loaded second verse enter the picture, where he sings “she wants me to beat it up low key,” he’s marinated a slick libido into this next level R&B, cool enough to appeal to millennial soul and smart enough to entice urban adult contemporary radio. It’s one of those tunes that most certainly warrant multiple plays.
SoulTrackers, check out Akon’s latest and let us know if you’re at least low key-vibing this one.
By J Matthew Cobb
Akon - "Low Key"