Akon has remastered two of his classic music videos, for the songs “Pot of Gold” and “Belly Dancer (Bananza),” on YouTube.
The two new videos arrive as Akon celebrates the 20th anniversary of his 2004 album Trouble with a special digital and vinyl release. Both new editions are available today. His debut album, Trouble followed a one-off first single, 1996’s “Operations of Nature,” and just preceded Akon’s founding of his label Konvict Music.
Listen to the new edition of Akon’s Trouble now.
When Trouble was initially released, it peaked at No. 1 on the UK Album Chart and was later RIAA certified platinum in the United States. In addition to “Pot of Gold” and “Belly Dancer (Bananza),” it also featured one of Akon’s biggest hits ever, “Lonely,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. At the end of 2023, it joined YouTube’s Billion Views club, Akon’s third video to do so after “Smack That” with Eminem and “Play Hard” with David Guetta.
“For me, writing a song like this is a form of therapy,” Akon told NME of “Lonely” in 2023. “Once I get it out, I feel so much better. I feel even better again when I see other people can relate to it too.”
Trouble‘s digital deluxe edition also features multiple songs brand new to streaming, including “Locked Up (Remix)” featuring Styles P & Taz, “Locked Up (Remix)” featuring Azad, “Locked Up (Remix)” featuring Booba and “Ghetto (Remix).”
Listen to the new edition of Akon’s Trouble now.