"Beautiful" is the third single from

Akon Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (; born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of " Locked Up" (featuring Styles P ...

's third studio album, ''

Freedom Freedom is understood as either having the ability to act or change without constraint or to possess the power and resources to fulfill one's purposes unhindered. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving one ...

''. The song features American

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop!, a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Albums * ''Pop'' ( ...

singer

Colby O'Donis Colby O'Donis Colón (; born March 14, 1989) is an American singer. He is best known as the featured artist in Lady Gaga's 2008 single " Just Dance", which spent more than eleven months on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. He is also known for his le ...

and a rap verse from Canadian

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

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

. "Beautiful" was released to radio on January 6, 2009. 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 Negra Li (born Liliane de Carvalho, São Paulo, September 17, 1979) is a Brazilian singer, actress and dancer. She was one of the lead actresses in the 2006 musical drama film '' Antônia''. She has sold over 300,000 copies and her net worth is ...

, in Dutch with Dutch singer

Brace Brace(s) or bracing may refer to: Medical * Orthopaedic brace, a device used to restrict or assist body movement ** Back brace, a device limiting motion of the spine *** Milwaukee brace, a kind of back brace used in the treatment of spinal c ...

, 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, songwriter, actress and author. Dulce María began her career at age 5, participating in more than 100 TV commercials. At 11 she was pa ...

. The original version peaked at number nineteen on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Outside of the United States, the original version peaked within the top ten of the charts in Israel and the United Kingdom.

Different versions

The song has also been recorded in three international versions: in Portuguese, with Brazilian singer and actress

, in Dutch, with Dutch singer

, 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

and

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

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman, joining ...

and

Young Jeezy Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper. Signing to Def Jam Recordings in 2004, his major label debut, '' Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101'', was released the followin ...

) - 4:29 ;Brazil CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring

) - 4:07 # "Beautiful" (featuring

) ance Mix- 4:01 ;Mexico CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring

Dulce Maria Dulce may refer to: Places *Dulce, New Mexico *Dulce Base, a supposed American secret military facility *Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica * Dulce River (disambiguation) People * Dulce (Mexican singer) (born 1955), Mexican singer and actress *Ana Dulce F ...

) - 4:06 ;Korea CD single # "Beautiful" (featuring BoA) - 4:06

Charts and certifications

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