Akon is set to release his forthcoming album, Freedom, December 2 via Konvict/Upfront/SRC/Universal Records and the rapper told Billboard that while there are some typical Konvict tracks on the record he is going in a new direction as an artist. The 34-year-old artist said he changed the sound because, "Everyone adapted to the Konvict sound already, so we had to switch it up. Now we're bringing the whole Euro-club sound. That's where we're headed with it." Sure enough, the album's single "Right Now (Na Na Na)" shows the synth sound that Akon is going with for his upcoming album. The video for "Right Now (Na Na Na)" is directed by Gill Green and made its debut online and on BET last week. More evidence of Akon's sound transformation lie in other dance singles like "Keep You Much Longer," "Troublemaker," "Beautiful" and "Holla Holla" which features T-Pain. The best way to see Akon's new sound is to see him live, try http://www.stubhub.com/akon-tickets/ for Akon tickets.

Akon was raised in Senegal but moved to the States when he was just seven-years-old. Unfortunately the rapper, who has since cleaned up his act, discovered hip-hop music and crime around the same time and only thought to pursue music seriously when he was behind bars. When he was released Akon, the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam, released the aptly-titled LP Trouble in 2004 and its lead single "Locked Up" was an instant sensation. The ex-con turned fledgling rap star released his sophomore album, Konvicted, in 2006. Konvicted spawned the Number One hit singles "I Wanna Love You" and "Smack That" and solidified Akon's spot among the top tier of rappers in the nation. While Trouble managed to sell 1.6 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen Soundscan, Konvicted eclipsed the success of Akon's debut by selling 2.9 million.

Akon's third album is sure to do just as well as his last two, as the second single for Freedom, "I'm So Paid," features Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy and is one track, like "Sunny Day" and "Be With You," that is meant for the rapper's broad urban fan base. Although Akon is known for singing about his love of "smacking that" and not falling in love with a stripper, the rapper does lay down some compassionate rhymes on "Over the Edge" and "Birthmark" from his upcoming album.

While finalizing his new album is undoubtedly keeping him busy, Akon is planning on hitting the road for a 10-to-12 city promotional tour one week before Freedom hits stands and will embark on an official tour in support of the album in February. Be sure to get your Akon tickets quick because the buzz about Akon's new album is only getting louder which means shows are sure to sell out. The rapper is offering an unspecified prize for fans who submit videos about what freedom means for them on his website and also working with a watchmaker out of Switzerland to design two exclusive watched for a wrist watch/phone combo. Akon's Konvict clothing line will be available in February (just in time for his tour) and a more upscale line called Aliaune will follow next fall.

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