JCMD Photography

SRC, Universal Motown And MySpace Present Akon Freedom

The day before the release of Akon’s new album “Freedom” JCMD got a chance to photograph the listening party with Akon. Much appreciated through Marcus Blasingame Editor in Chief of Black Men Magazine. There were many attedees for this special event; Marcus Blassingame of Black Men Magazine, Kardinal Offishall, DJ ENVY, DJ Khaled, Shontelle, Steve Rifkind, Red Cafe, Tony Yayo, Sylvia Rhone, Spliff Star, Cipha Sounds, Busta Rhymes, KONVICT Artist and many others.

 

 

The night started out in the green room of “opera” where the artist,managers, dancer, and guest relaxed and prepared. Soon after everybody arrived Shontelle hit the stage and warmed the stage up for Akon. DJ Khaled hit the stage and riled up the crowd repeating his famous quote “We the Best”. Out of no where Akon popped out and the crowd went wild. They performed hit like “We Taking Over” and then Kardinal Offishall came out to the stage to perform their smash hit “dangerous”.That was not it everybody cleared the stage and Akon took his fans through his discography from “Trouble”, “Konvicted” and “Freedom”.

 

 

 

He was then joined on stage by SRC’s Steve Rifkind and Executive VP of Universal Records Sylvia Rhone. there they presented him with an award for selling 5 million copies of his CD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Busta Rhymes made a surprise guest appearance to show support to Akon. Minutes later he grabbed the microphone to say a few words and then. Shake down’s Red Cafe took it to sing a verse. ” Diamonds on my chain so you know that i got money, album hasnt

 

 

 

dropped so you know it ain’t rap money” Thats all it took for Busta Rhymes to lose it, he quickly snatched it back a ended the night with the performance of “Arab Money” . A week later the music video for the song came out (check it out below).