Triple treat

MANILA, Philippines - Three of the world’s biggest names in rap, hip-hop and R&B share centerstage for the ultimate concert experience of the year.

It’s thrice the thrill, energy and excitement; an unstoppable showdown of electrifying moves and grooves as unleashed by our very own international R&B superstar Billy Crawford, platinum hip-hop artist T-Pain and the prolific American-Senegalese singer/songwriter and record producer Akon.

For the very first time, the phenomenal musical triumvirate takes Manila by storm via the much-awaited Freedom Tour ’09, to be held on Oct. 23 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Get a taste of freedom and dance the night away in one of the music industry’s biggest year-ender concert spectacles.

Akon, whose proverbial rags-to-riches story turned him into a full-blown multimedia phenomenon, is known for such hits as Right Now (Na Na Na), Beautiful, So Paid, Home Grown, I Wanna Love You, Smack That, Sorry, Blame It On Me and Don’t Matter.

The five-time Grammy nominee’s life story has also become one of the most inspirational sagas in recent memory, turning his life around after a troubled youth by pursuing a career in music, notching millions in album sales since his seminal debut album, Trouble.

Grammy winner T-Pain caught Akon’s attention when he came out with his reworked version of the latter’s Locked Up in 2002. Seeing his potential, Akon promptly signed him up to his newly-formed Konvict Music label. Since then, T-Pain garnered acclaim for such hits as I’m Sprung, Buy U A Drank, Bartender, Can’t Believe It, Chopped & Skrewed, Freeze, Low, Got Money, Good Life, Kiss, Kiss and many more.

Billy became a global phenomenon when his first worldwide hit Trackin topped the charts in France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and Germany, and thereafter churned out equally-acclaimed best-selling albums like Ride, Big City, It’s Time and the recently-released Groove.

Presented by ALV Events International, OctoArts Entertainment, Tiffany Chocolates and Regal Multimedia Inc., Akon’s Freedom Tour ’09 is also supported by Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, RX 93.1, 103.5 MaxFM, ABS-CBN and MYX Music Channel.

For ticket inquiries, call TicketNet (911-5555). Exclusive VIP tickets are also available at ALV Events International (633-98-25 to 27).