Sony/ATV’s "Musical Notes" #51 - Akon
Jan 13, 2010
A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
***************
Songs by AKON
Multiplatinum-selling Akon (Aliaune Thiam) made his chart debut in 2004 with the single “Locked Up”. He swiftly became a major songwriter, artist and producer. The list below of key tracks illustrates Akon’s expansive output to date including collaborations with some of the hottest performers around including T-Pain, Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, R. Kelly and Pitbull plus his own first two #1 smash hits “Don’t Matter” and the supreme link up with Snoop Dogg: “I Wanna Love You”.
Also of special note are songs he wrote for and produced on Whitney Houston’s comeback album “I Look To You”. Additionally, we suggest you check out the version of the song “Mama Africa” (originally on Akon’s “Konvicted” album) on which 50 Cent appears plus the 2008 version of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”; this track was on the 25th Anniversary release of “Thriller”.
ALL UP 2 YOU (Thiam/Masis/Veguilla/Santos/Morera)
By Aventura Featuring Akon & Wisin & Yandel (Premium Latin)
BABY I’M BACK (Thiam/Bryant)
By Baby Bash Featuring Akon (Universal: 2005) US #19 Pop, #52 R&B
BARTENDER(Thiam/Najm)
By T-Pain Featuring Akon (Konvict/Nappy Boy: 2007) US #5 Pop, #9 R&B
BEAUTIFUL (Thiam/Wesley/Harrow/Tuinfort/O’Donis)
By Akon Featuring Colby O’Donis & Kardinal Offishall (Konvict/Upfront/SRC: 2009) US #19 Pop, #61 R&B
BELLY DANCER (BANANZA) (Thiam/Hall/Golding/Staples)
By Akon (SRC: 2005) US #30 Pop, UK #5
BODY ON ME (Thiam/Haynes/Tuinfort)
By Nelly Featuring Akon & Ashanti (Derrty: 2008) US #42 Pop, #69 R&B, UK #17
BOSS’ LIFE (Thiam/Smith/Lamb/Broadus/Curry/Benton)
By Snoop Dogg Featuring Akon (Doggystyle: 2007) US #65 R&B
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT (Thiam/Jefferson/Holmes/Phillips/Styles/Smith)
By Styles P Featuring Akon (Ruff Ryders: 2005) US #31 R&B
CERTIFIED (Thiam/Davis/Pennimann)
By Glasses Malone Featuring Akon (Cash Money: 2008) US #85 R&B
DAYDREAMING (Thiam/Broadus/Harris/Gholson)
By Drama Featuring Akon, Snoop Dogg & T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic: 2009)
DANGEROUS (Thiam/Sales/Harrow/Bahamonde)
By Kardinal Offishall Featuring Akon (KonLive: 2008) US #5 Pop, #50 R&B, UK #16
DON’T MATTER (Thiam/Love)
By Akon (SRC: 2007) US #1 Pop, #5 R&B, UK #3
GET BUCK IN HERE (Thiam/Watson/Corrine/Smith/Bridges)
By DJ Felli Fel Featuring Diddy, Akon, Ludacris & Lil Jon
(Island Urban: 2007) US #41 Pop, #72 R&B (in ’08)
GHETTO (Thiam/Darius)
By Akon (SRC: 2005) US #53 R&B, #92 Pop
HOLLA HOLLA (Thiam/Romano/Balfour/Najm)
By Akon Featuring T-Pain (SRC: 2008) US #119 Pop
HYPNOTIZED (Thiam/Washington)
By Plies Featuring Akon (Big Gates: 2007) US #14 Pop, #22 R&B (in ’08)
I GOT YOU (Thiam/Tuinfort/Houston/Kelly)
By Whitney Houston (Arista: 2009)
I TRIED (SO HARD) (Thiam)
By Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Featuring Akon (Full Surface: 2007) US #6 Pop, #45 R&B
I WANNA LOVE YOU (Thiam/Broadus)
By Akon Featuring Snoop Dogg (SRC: 2006) US #1 Pop, #3 R&B (in ’07), UK #3 (in ’07)
I’LL STILL KILL (Thiam/Jackson/Abdul-Rahman/Honeycutt)
By 50 Cent Featuring Akon (Shady/Aftermath: 2007)
I’M SO PAID (Thiam/Fisher/Carter/Jenkins)
By Akon Featuring Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy (SRC: 2008) US #31 Pop, #48 R&B (in ’09)
JUST DANCE (Germanotta/Thiam/RedOne)
By Lady GaGa Featuring Colby O’Donis (Streamline: 2008) US #1 Pop (in ’09), #28 AC, UK #1
KEEP YOU MUCH LONGER (Thiam/Goodchild/Tuinfort)
By Akon (SRC: 2008) US #123 Pop
LIKE I NEVER LEFT (Thiam/Tuinfort/Houston/Kelly)
By Whitney Houston Featuring Akon (Arista: 2009)
LOCKED UP (Thiam)
By Akon Featuring Styles P. (SRC: 2004) US #6 R&B, #8 Pop, UK #5 (in ’05)
LONELY (Thiam/Allen/Vinton)
which sampled the 1964 pop ballad “Mr. Lonely” by Bobby Vinton
By Akon (SRC: 2005) US #4 Pop, #57 R&B, UK #1
MAMA AFRICA (Thiam/Abdulsamad/Dwyer/Dixon/Richards/Browne/Brown)
By Akon & 50 Cent (Konvict/Upfront/SRC: 2007)
OUT HERE GRINDIN’ (Thiam/Roberts/Boosie/Young/Jackson/Khaled/Najm/Washington)
By DJ Khaled Feat.Akon, Piles, Young Jeezy, Rick Ro$$, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy & Lil’ Boosie)(Terror Squad: 2008) US #32 R&B, #38 Pop
OVERTIME (Thiam/Harr/Najm/McColister/Cossum)
By Ace Hood Featuring Akon & T-Pain (We The Best/Def Jam: 2009) US #70 R&B
POT OF GOLD (Thiam/Williams)
By Akon (SRC: 2004)
RIGHT NOW (NA NA NA) (Thiam/Tuinfort)
By Akon (SRC: 2008) US #8 Pop, #73 R&B, UK #6
*SEXY BITCH (Guetta/Thiam/Sindres/Tuinfort/Vee)
By David Guetta Featuring Akon
(Gum/Astralwerks: 2009) #56 Pop, #15 Hot Dance
As SEXY CHICK: Currently US #6 Pop
SHUT IT DOWN (Thiam/Sparks/Grigahcine/Perez)
By Pitbull Featuring Akon (Mr.305/Polo Grounds: 2010) US #69 Pop
SLOW WIND (Thiam/Kelly)
By R. Kelly (Jive: 2005) US #30 R&B
As: SLOW WIND (Remix)
By R. Kelly Featuring Sean Paul (Jive: 2005) US #91 R&B
SMACK THAT (Thiam/Mathers/Resto/Strange)
By Akon Featuring Eminem (SRC: 2006) US #2 Pop, #34 R&B (in ’07), UK #1
SORRY, BLAME IT ON ME(Thiam/Sparks)
By Akon (SRC: 2007) US #7 Pop
SOUL SURVIVOR (Thiam/Jenkins)
By Young Jeezy Featuring Akon (Def Jam: 2005) US #1 R&B, #4 Pop, UK #16 (in ’06)
SPEAKER (Thiam/Carter/Broadus/Banner)
By David Banner Featuring Akon, Lil Wayne & Snoop Dogg (SRC: 1007) US #66 R&B
THE SWEET ESCAPE (Thiam/Stefani/Tuinfort)
By Gwen Stefani Featuring Akon (Interscope: 2007) US #2 Pop, #3 AC, UK #2
SWEETEST GIRL (DOLLAR BILL)(Thiam/Hunter/Smith/Porter/Carter/Jean/Woods/Duplessis/Golder)
By Wyclef Jean Featuring Akon, Lil Wayne & Niia (Columbia: 2008) US #12 Pop
TROUBLEMAKER (Thiam/Walls)
By Akon & Sweet Rush (SRC: 2008) US #97 Pop
UH-HUH (Thiam/Stephens/Greene)
By Devyne Stephens (Elektra)
WAKE IT UP (Thiam/Price/Stevens)
By E-40 Featuring Akon (Sick Wid’ It: 2008) US #87 R&B
WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’ 2008 (Jackson/Thiam/Tuinfort)
By Michael Jackson with Akon (Legacy: 2008) US #81 Pop
THE WAY SHE MOVES (Thiam/Ortiz)
By Zion Featuring Akon (CMG/Motown: 2007) US #121 Pop
WE TAKIN’ OVER (Thiam/Harris/Roberts/Cartagena/Hills/Carter/Williams)
By DJ Khaled Feat. T.I., Akon, Rick Ro$$, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne & Baby (Terror Squad: 2007) US #26 R&B, #28 Pop
WHAT YOU GOT (Thiam/Tuinfort)
By Colby O’Donis Featuring Akon (KomLive: 2008) US #14 Pop, #84 R&B
WHATCHA GONNA DO (Thiam/McKnight)
By Brian McKnight with Juvenile & Akon (Motown: 2005)
*SEXY BITCH, the explicit version of SEXY CHICK is on the David Guetta album “One Love”.
***************
Grammy®-Nominated Album
in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album Category:
Produced by Joe Henry, this record by New Orleans R&B pianist Allen Toussaint features such jazz guests as Don Byron, Marc Ribot and Nicholas Payton. It features two Sony/ATV Duke Ellington copyrights:
DAY DREAM (Ellington/Strayhorn)
And
SOLITUDE (Ellington/Mills/DeLange)
These tracks are both featured on our accompanying playlist.
Click Here for Associated Playlist
***************
US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
Here is a link to a complete list of earlier “Musical Notes” bulletins:
Musical Notes Archive
1/12/10
Jan 13, 2010

A fortnightly newsletter highlighting some of the many classic songs in the Sony/ATV Music Publishing catalog.
From Alan Warner, Creative Consultant
***************
Songs by AKON
Multiplatinum-selling Akon (Aliaune Thiam) made his chart debut in 2004 with the single “Locked Up”. He swiftly became a major songwriter, artist and producer. The list below of key tracks illustrates Akon’s expansive output to date including collaborations with some of the hottest performers around including T-Pain, Gwen Stefani, 50 Cent, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, R. Kelly and Pitbull plus his own first two #1 smash hits “Don’t Matter” and the supreme link up with Snoop Dogg: “I Wanna Love You”.
Also of special note are songs he wrote for and produced on Whitney Houston’s comeback album “I Look To You”. Additionally, we suggest you check out the version of the song “Mama Africa” (originally on Akon’s “Konvicted” album) on which 50 Cent appears plus the 2008 version of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”; this track was on the 25th Anniversary release of “Thriller”.
ALL UP 2 YOU (Thiam/Masis/Veguilla/Santos/Morera)
By Aventura Featuring Akon & Wisin & Yandel (Premium Latin)
BABY I’M BACK (Thiam/Bryant)
By Baby Bash Featuring Akon (Universal: 2005) US #19 Pop, #52 R&B
BARTENDER(Thiam/Najm)
By T-Pain Featuring Akon (Konvict/Nappy Boy: 2007) US #5 Pop, #9 R&B
BEAUTIFUL (Thiam/Wesley/Harrow/Tuinfort/O’Donis)
By Akon Featuring Colby O’Donis & Kardinal Offishall (Konvict/Upfront/SRC: 2009) US #19 Pop, #61 R&B
BELLY DANCER (BANANZA) (Thiam/Hall/Golding/Staples)
By Akon (SRC: 2005) US #30 Pop, UK #5
BODY ON ME (Thiam/Haynes/Tuinfort)
By Nelly Featuring Akon & Ashanti (Derrty: 2008) US #42 Pop, #69 R&B, UK #17
BOSS’ LIFE (Thiam/Smith/Lamb/Broadus/Curry/Benton)
By Snoop Dogg Featuring Akon (Doggystyle: 2007) US #65 R&B
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT (Thiam/Jefferson/Holmes/Phillips/Styles/Smith)
By Styles P Featuring Akon (Ruff Ryders: 2005) US #31 R&B
CERTIFIED (Thiam/Davis/Pennimann)
By Glasses Malone Featuring Akon (Cash Money: 2008) US #85 R&B
DAYDREAMING (Thiam/Broadus/Harris/Gholson)
By Drama Featuring Akon, Snoop Dogg & T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic: 2009)
DANGEROUS (Thiam/Sales/Harrow/Bahamonde)
By Kardinal Offishall Featuring Akon (KonLive: 2008) US #5 Pop, #50 R&B, UK #16
DON’T MATTER (Thiam/Love)
By Akon (SRC: 2007) US #1 Pop, #5 R&B, UK #3
GET BUCK IN HERE (Thiam/Watson/Corrine/Smith/Bridges)
By DJ Felli Fel Featuring Diddy, Akon, Ludacris & Lil Jon
(Island Urban: 2007) US #41 Pop, #72 R&B (in ’08)
GHETTO (Thiam/Darius)
By Akon (SRC: 2005) US #53 R&B, #92 Pop
HOLLA HOLLA (Thiam/Romano/Balfour/Najm)
By Akon Featuring T-Pain (SRC: 2008) US #119 Pop
HYPNOTIZED (Thiam/Washington)
By Plies Featuring Akon (Big Gates: 2007) US #14 Pop, #22 R&B (in ’08)
I GOT YOU (Thiam/Tuinfort/Houston/Kelly)
By Whitney Houston (Arista: 2009)
I TRIED (SO HARD) (Thiam)
By Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Featuring Akon (Full Surface: 2007) US #6 Pop, #45 R&B
I WANNA LOVE YOU (Thiam/Broadus)
By Akon Featuring Snoop Dogg (SRC: 2006) US #1 Pop, #3 R&B (in ’07), UK #3 (in ’07)
I’LL STILL KILL (Thiam/Jackson/Abdul-Rahman/Honeycutt)
By 50 Cent Featuring Akon (Shady/Aftermath: 2007)
I’M SO PAID (Thiam/Fisher/Carter/Jenkins)
By Akon Featuring Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy (SRC: 2008) US #31 Pop, #48 R&B (in ’09)
JUST DANCE (Germanotta/Thiam/RedOne)
By Lady GaGa Featuring Colby O’Donis (Streamline: 2008) US #1 Pop (in ’09), #28 AC, UK #1
KEEP YOU MUCH LONGER (Thiam/Goodchild/Tuinfort)
By Akon (SRC: 2008) US #123 Pop
LIKE I NEVER LEFT (Thiam/Tuinfort/Houston/Kelly)
By Whitney Houston Featuring Akon (Arista: 2009)
LOCKED UP (Thiam)
By Akon Featuring Styles P. (SRC: 2004) US #6 R&B, #8 Pop, UK #5 (in ’05)
LONELY (Thiam/Allen/Vinton)
which sampled the 1964 pop ballad “Mr. Lonely” by Bobby Vinton
By Akon (SRC: 2005) US #4 Pop, #57 R&B, UK #1
MAMA AFRICA (Thiam/Abdulsamad/Dwyer/Dixon/Richards/Browne/Brown)
By Akon & 50 Cent (Konvict/Upfront/SRC: 2007)
OUT HERE GRINDIN’ (Thiam/Roberts/Boosie/Young/Jackson/Khaled/Najm/Washington)
By DJ Khaled Feat.Akon, Piles, Young Jeezy, Rick Ro$$, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy & Lil’ Boosie)(Terror Squad: 2008) US #32 R&B, #38 Pop
OVERTIME (Thiam/Harr/Najm/McColister/Cossum)
By Ace Hood Featuring Akon & T-Pain (We The Best/Def Jam: 2009) US #70 R&B
POT OF GOLD (Thiam/Williams)
By Akon (SRC: 2004)
RIGHT NOW (NA NA NA) (Thiam/Tuinfort)
By Akon (SRC: 2008) US #8 Pop, #73 R&B, UK #6
*SEXY BITCH (Guetta/Thiam/Sindres/Tuinfort/Vee)
By David Guetta Featuring Akon
(Gum/Astralwerks: 2009) #56 Pop, #15 Hot Dance
As SEXY CHICK: Currently US #6 Pop
SHUT IT DOWN (Thiam/Sparks/Grigahcine/Perez)
By Pitbull Featuring Akon (Mr.305/Polo Grounds: 2010) US #69 Pop
SLOW WIND (Thiam/Kelly)
By R. Kelly (Jive: 2005) US #30 R&B
As: SLOW WIND (Remix)
By R. Kelly Featuring Sean Paul (Jive: 2005) US #91 R&B
SMACK THAT (Thiam/Mathers/Resto/Strange)
By Akon Featuring Eminem (SRC: 2006) US #2 Pop, #34 R&B (in ’07), UK #1
SORRY, BLAME IT ON ME(Thiam/Sparks)
By Akon (SRC: 2007) US #7 Pop
SOUL SURVIVOR (Thiam/Jenkins)
By Young Jeezy Featuring Akon (Def Jam: 2005) US #1 R&B, #4 Pop, UK #16 (in ’06)
SPEAKER (Thiam/Carter/Broadus/Banner)
By David Banner Featuring Akon, Lil Wayne & Snoop Dogg (SRC: 1007) US #66 R&B
THE SWEET ESCAPE (Thiam/Stefani/Tuinfort)
By Gwen Stefani Featuring Akon (Interscope: 2007) US #2 Pop, #3 AC, UK #2
SWEETEST GIRL (DOLLAR BILL)(Thiam/Hunter/Smith/Porter/Carter/Jean/Woods/Duplessis/Golder)
By Wyclef Jean Featuring Akon, Lil Wayne & Niia (Columbia: 2008) US #12 Pop
TROUBLEMAKER (Thiam/Walls)
By Akon & Sweet Rush (SRC: 2008) US #97 Pop
UH-HUH (Thiam/Stephens/Greene)
By Devyne Stephens (Elektra)
WAKE IT UP (Thiam/Price/Stevens)
By E-40 Featuring Akon (Sick Wid’ It: 2008) US #87 R&B
WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’ 2008 (Jackson/Thiam/Tuinfort)
By Michael Jackson with Akon (Legacy: 2008) US #81 Pop
THE WAY SHE MOVES (Thiam/Ortiz)
By Zion Featuring Akon (CMG/Motown: 2007) US #121 Pop
WE TAKIN’ OVER (Thiam/Harris/Roberts/Cartagena/Hills/Carter/Williams)
By DJ Khaled Feat. T.I., Akon, Rick Ro$$, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne & Baby (Terror Squad: 2007) US #26 R&B, #28 Pop
WHAT YOU GOT (Thiam/Tuinfort)
By Colby O’Donis Featuring Akon (KomLive: 2008) US #14 Pop, #84 R&B
WHATCHA GONNA DO (Thiam/McKnight)
By Brian McKnight with Juvenile & Akon (Motown: 2005)
*SEXY BITCH, the explicit version of SEXY CHICK is on the David Guetta album “One Love”.
***************
Grammy®-Nominated Album
in the Best Jazz Instrumental Album Category:
Produced by Joe Henry, this record by New Orleans R&B pianist Allen Toussaint features such jazz guests as Don Byron, Marc Ribot and Nicholas Payton. It features two Sony/ATV Duke Ellington copyrights:
DAY DREAM (Ellington/Strayhorn)
And
SOLITUDE (Ellington/Mills/DeLange)
These tracks are both featured on our accompanying playlist.
Click Here for Associated Playlist
***************
US chart positions courtesy of Joel Whitburn & Billboard Magazine
Here is a link to a complete list of earlier “Musical Notes” bulletins:
Musical Notes Archive
1/12/10


