El Negreeto

Released in 2019, El Negreeto marked Akon's first full-length studio effort in eleven years, signaling a radical shift in his career trajectory. Moving away from the English-language R&B and Hip-Hop that made him a household name, Akon embraced his 'Ke Lo Ke' sublabel to produce a project entirely in Spanish. The album is a collaborative effort with some of the biggest names in the Latin urban scene, including Farruko, Becky G, and Anitta. Sonically, the record is firmly rooted in reggaeton and Latin pop, utilizing the production talents of hitmakers like Maffio and Camilo. While it retains Akon's signature melodic sensibility and high-tenor vocals, the rhythmic foundation is strictly tropical. Critics noted the album as a bold, if unexpected, move for a veteran artist, praising his ability to adapt his vocal style to the cadences of Spanish-language pop. It stands as the first installment of a planned multi-genre rollout intended to showcase Akon's global versatility.