Trouble is the debut album by the Senegalese-Americanhip hop and R&B singer Akon, released in 2004. The album contains Akon's first worldwide hit single, "Lonely", however, the release of "Locked Up" propelled Akon to sign a record deal. The album performed well in the United Kingdom where it peaked at #1 on the UK Album Chart and has reached 2x platinum status in the United States with 2.8 million sales.
Background
Although "Lonely" offered the album's best option in terms of commercial breakthrough, SRC Records A&R Jerome Foster told HitQuarters that "Locked Up" was chosen because he wanted to break Akon in the streets first and work towards a cross-over. "Locked Up" is a street record. I thought that was the place for us to start to get a fan-base, knowing that we had a record like "Lonely", which was more commercial, to follow it."[2] The final appearance on Billboard's Top 200 Albums Chart was for the chart dated November 26, 2005. The album first appeared on the UK Album Chart on February 12, 2005. It slowly climbed up the chart before finally reaching the summit on April 30, 2005. It then spent two non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the UK Album Chart. Trouble is by far Akon's most successful album in the United Kingdom to date.
Release
When originally released in 2004, the UK version of the album contained thirteen tracks, whilst US versions of the album only contained twelve tracks, omitting the track "Ghetto". The digital version of the US album includes the bonus track "Kill The Dance". In 2005, the UK version of the album was re-issued with additional bonus tracks "Gunshot" and a remix of "Locked Up". In Japan, the bonus tracks were the same, however, the track "Ghetto" was once again omitted. For its release across Europe in late 2004, the album was completely altered, with remixes of "Belly Dancer", "Lonely" and "Don't Give Up" replacing the original versions, issued in the US and UK. The European version also removes the track "I Wont" and replaces it with a brand new track, "Easy Road". In 2005, the album was reissued, this time with a bonus disc containing two brand new tracks, two remixes and six collaborations between Akon and other artists. In Europe, the bonus disc contained eleven tracks, adding an additional remix of "Ghetto" as track one. In 2006, all US versions of the album were removed from iTunes, replacing them with the European version. However, the European edition loses the track "Easy Road" and replaces it with the original track "I Wont", and also includes the US digital bonus track "Kill The Dance", instead of the remix of "Locked Up".
Critical reception
Contact Music stated the following about the album: "Akon releases 'Trouble' on Universal Records. Those might be familiar to Akon back in the day when the man was rapping or recently with his single 'Locked Up' that has sold very well and gained a lot of airplay. This album is a is a soulful, laid back journey into the world of brooding R&B. There's a strong Jamaican influence there as well and the essence of the album is to uplift, gain positivity in difficult situations and provides a message learnt through life. Akon has a lot of soul and sings like a man who has experienced pain and happiness. He has an original and honest voice that oozes serenity and genuine meaning. The beats roll along in a well orchestrated fashion. They're quite minimal, simple and have a roots feel. You have real feel good tracks like 'Pot of Gold' and real melancholy songs like 'Lonely' or more thug tracks like 'Locked Up'. The music really compliments the mood of they lyrics and don't overpower you. The production is different from the usual R&B we here so much of these days. It's definitely got a more sunshine vibe steeming from the Caribean influence. For me this album drifts along in a laid back way and makes good background music. The lyrics have depth and honesty that most could relate to. We're feeling Akon's angst and appreciating his take on R&B. Smooth rather than hard hitting."[3]
