"Beautiful" is a song by Senegalese-American singer

Akon Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon (), is a Senegalese-United States, American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist. An influ ...

, released on January 6, 2009 as the third single from his third studio album, ''

Freedom Freedom is the power or right to speak, act, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving oneself one's own laws". In one definition, something is "free" i ...

''. It features American pop singer Colby O'Donis and Canadian

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...

Kardinal Offishall Jason Drew Harrow (born May 11, 1976), better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall ( ), is a Canadian rapper and record producer. Often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", he has been regarded as one of the country's most prominent ...

. The song has also been released in other three international versions, with different featured artists replacing both Colby's vocals and Kardinal's rapping: in Portuguese with Brazilian singer Negra Li, in Dutch with Dutch singer Brace, and in Spanish with Mexican singer

Dulce María Dulce María Espinosa Saviñón (, born 6 December 1985), simply known as Dulce María, is a Mexican singer and actress. Dulce María began her career at age 5, participating in more than 100 TV commercials. At the age of eleven, she was part ...

. The original version of "Beautiful" peaked at number nineteen on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Israel and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. The video also features cameos from Tyrese Gibson & A.R Rehman.

Different versions

The song has also been recorded in three international versions: in Portuguese, with Brazilian singer and actress Negra Li, in Dutch, with Dutch singer Brace, and in Spanish, with Mexican singer/actress/songwriter

. The rap from the original was removed, and Colby O'Donis' vocals were also removed in favor of the other singers. The Spanish version was first performed in an event at Mexico, on April 1, 2009. On the next day, it was leaked for airing and on the internet. The Portuguese version was leaked two days before. The music videos in Portuguese, Dutch and Spanish were released at YouTube on June 2, 8 and 9, respectively.

Track listing

;UK and Europe CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring Colby O'Donis and

) - 5:13 # "I'm So Paid" (featuring

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...

and

Young Jeezy Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper. He is credited, alongside fellow Georgia-based rappers T.I. and Gucci Mane, with pioneering the hip hop subgenre trap music fo ...

) - 4:29 ;Brazil CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring Negra Li) - 4:07 # "Beautiful" (featuring Negra Li) ance Mix- 4:01 ;Mexico CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring Dulce Maria) - 4:06 ;Korea CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring BoA) - 4:06

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beautiful (Akon Song) 2009 singles Akon songs Songs written by Akon Song recordings produced by Akon Kardinal Offishall songs Music videos directed by Gil Green Songs written by Kardinal Offishall 2009 songs Songs written by Giorgio Tuinfort Universal Motown Records singles Songs containing the I–V-vi-IV progression