Freedom was released on December 2, 2008, through Konvict Muzik, UpFront Records, and Atlantic Records. By 2008, Akon was an indispensable feature on pop radio, having collaborated with artists like Eminem, Gwen Stefani, and T-Pain. The album was designed to be his most pop-oriented project yet, bridging the gap between hip-hop production and catchy, infectious melodies.