Titled "Project," his new album consisting of 13 tracks is a true advocacy for Mbalakh, a musical genre deeply rooted in Senegalese traditions but still often confined to regional recognition.
Driven by an ambitious vision, "Project" aims to break boundaries and elevate Mbalakh to the international stage, with the level of production quality and symbolic power that only a figure like Akon can offer.
Among the highly anticipated collaborations on this album, the track Freedom with Viviane Chidid is set to be a major event.
This musical encounter between two iconic voices of Senegal explores the theme of freedom—freedom of expression, freedom of identity, freedom of choice—at a time when debates surrounding authenticity, representation, and cultural emancipation are more relevant than ever.
It’s not the first time the two artists have crossed paths, but Freedom might just be the track that crystallizes their artistic chemistry and their shared commitment to Senegalese music with a global outlook.
Recorded between the United States, France, and Senegal, "Project" reflects the journey of an artist who has always managed to balance his roots with a global perspective. Akon is not attempting to westernize Mbalakh but to elevate it in its purest form, opening it to new audiences while respecting its codes, rhythms, and emotional intensity. This is a balancing act that the artist seems to master perfectly, drawing from his experience straddling multiple worlds.
With "Project," Akon marks his musical comeback while embracing his origins. In doing so, he celebrates his identity. Above all, he contributes, in his own way, to writing a new chapter for Mbalakh, a genre that has never stopped beating to the rhythm of the Senegalese people's heart, reports Musicinafrica.
