Too often hip hop music is filled with predictable, somewhat negative lyrics. In turn, the whole genre gets a bad name, even if the beats are pretty decent. Fortunately, there are artists who are trying to change this trend. Akon, (or Aliune Thame), is an example as he tries to infuse the spirit of his ancestry into his music.

How does he achieve this? Well, it is definitely not with advertising his music through permission based email marketing with the hopes that people will take the time to listen. No, that’s not it at all. He relies on his extensive knowledge of music, especially in regards to West African and Southern culture. From there, he merges these beats together, to create a musical blend never seen before in American pop music.

As far as Akon’s lyrics, most of them express contemporary hip hop themes without being vulgar or indecent. The same can also be said for many of his videos, where female dancers are encouraged to be sexy, not slutty. This is a far cry from other hip hop videos, where women are dancing in a somewhat degrading manner.

However, I don’t want to paint Akon as a conservative artist. While conservative individuals might enjoy his work, generally Akon’s music still takes on a very secular perspective. It’s just that he takes on this perspective in a classier, more cultured way.

And, contrary to what some might believe, Akon has received just as much publicity as any other hip hop artist. In fact, there have been times when Akon has actually been number one or two on the Billboard Top 100. To date, he remains the only independent solo artist to attain such a distinction.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a different type of hip hop experience, consider listening to Akon’s music. Examples of some of his more popular works include Trouble, Locked Up, Freedom and I Wanna Love You. You can find more by visiting his official website at AkonOnline.com.