Akon's 'Strawberry Letter' May Not Be So Rotten After All



It is only fair that I start off by saying that I can't stand Akon. I am offended that his stage name reveres being in jail. I was offended by the video I saw of him punching a woman in the face some time ago. His Auto-Tuned vocals also are so average that it is a wonder how he even got any stage time--at least his average-vocal-having peers like Rihanna are visually attractive so you can at least pretend they have talent above sub-standard. So, when I tell you that when I heard his remake of the Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter 23" and wasn't sickened to the pit of my gut, you may be a bit a surprised.
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Ill Mami warned us earlier this month that Quincy Jones had plans for remaking the Brothers Johnson 1977 hit "Strawberry Letter 23" for his upcoming album, Q: Soul Bossa Nostra. The collection is to be a collection of classic Quincy productions remade by today's stars. I clutched the pearls when Akon's name had the nerve to be chosen as the one to remake "Strawberry Letter 23." Who in their right mind would have made such a decision? But, while Akon's "Strawberry Letter" is not as good as the original--that's a given--it has its high moments and isn't God-awful.

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The song is lyrically simple enough that there is little Akon can do to damage it significantly. He even throws in his own little mantra sung throughout--"Rain or sun/sleet or snow/you're the reason I aint gon go"--that gives the song a little contemporary feel that will definitely be eaten up by the teeny-boppers who this song is most likely geared for. While the Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter 23" is the classic, Akon's version is definitely in line with the times where electronic composition and Pop-Hop influence on R&B songs is predominate. Is that better or worse? Who can say. The reality is that the kids will eat this song up. It is up to someone in their house to play the original for them at least once, though, so they will know there was one that came before. Not sure that will matter much, but it may do a conscience good.

Akon: "Strawberry Letter"

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What are your thoughts on the song?

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