Following up on strong debut, streetwise Akon shows versatility

In 2003, on the chilling single "Locked Up," Akon sang about doing hard time. The track, off his first CD, "Trouble," helped make him a star. Now the Senegal-born vocalist follows that album -- and guest cameos singing killer hooks for hip-hop elite such as Young Jeezy and Obie Trice -- with a second, "Konvicted." Smartly produced and well executed, the new disc builds on the sounds and themes of Akon's debut. Where "Trouble" depicted a desperate man seeking some kind of salvation, "Konvicted" takes up his story after prison and musical success.

Everything sounds bigger here; the songs are more robust and fleshed out. Unfortunately, the first taste listeners have had of "Konvicted" is the popular booty jam "Smack That," which is receiving heavy radio play. (It features a lazy turn from Eminem, who doesn't seem to be interested in spinning wicked rhymes anymore.)

But this tune is not indicative of the rest of the record. Akon deftly mixes love songs with streetwise tunes that manage to have an edge without resorting to tired hip-hop cliches about slinging rock and running with Glocks. "Gangsta Bop" and the disc's highlight, "Tired of Runnin'," remind us of the desperation that filled "Trouble"; they are tinged with pain. Akon may not have the most expansive voice, but it reveal s depth and experience. His vocals here are urgent and tightly coiled.

Akon mixes together throwback R&B, hints of jazz via heavily percussive tracks, and Caribbean rhythms (the swinging gem "I Can't Wait"). "Mama Africa" neatly combines both pride in and nostalgia for his home continent.

And then there's "I Just Wanna Love You." On the original advance copies of "Konvicted," this song was much raunchier (let's just say love was not on the agenda), and it featured a down-and-dirt ier turn from Snoop Dogg. The final version has been whitewashed. The scrubbed-up version's tenor and intent are completely changed, but now it's radio friendly. Naturally, it will be the next single.

"Konvicted" features numerous high-profile guests, which ought to help Akon further establish himself as a major voice. But the appearances from Snoop, Slim Shady, Styles P, et al. add little and serve as diversions from the heart of the songs. Akon, who produced most of the tracks, probably would have been better off without them. At this point, he doesn't need much help. He has developed into an artist of vision and versatility, one who has learned hard lessons and lived to tell the tale.