Songfacts®:

• Akon produced this autobiographical track along with Giorgio Tuinfort (Enrique Iglesias). The brooding anthem incorporates African melodies and marching drums.
• Freedom was planned to be entitled 'Acquitted,' but the new album title is reflective of Akon's attempt to move past his legal troubles. Prior to his successful music career, the Senegalese rapper spent over three years in prison for his part in an auto-theft ring, though there have been reports that his criminal record has been dramatically embellished. Akon explained to Billboard magazine: "Originally the album was supposed to be called 'Acquitted,' which means the same as freedom really, but I'm at a stage now where we are revamping the whole image of Konvict itself. I wanted people to understand the word 'Konvict' and how it came from an experience that allowed me to change my life for the better. Unfortunately, it wasn't coming across the way I wanted it to. So I had to make certain choices as far as image goes, how I speak, even with the title that I chose. 'Freedom' sounds a lot more positive and it gives you a bigger spectrum of where you can go. It also reflected where I am headed as a person, as a man and as an entrepreneur."
• Freedom was the first album by Akon not to carry a Parental advisory sticker.