Akon - Akon's Global Album

Akon's new album, 'Stadium', is influenced by the many styles of music he has been exposed to touring across the world.

Akon's new album is influenced by the many styles of music he has been exposed to touring the world.

The 'Sexy Chick' hitmaker drew influence from across the globe to produce 'Stadium' which sees his established hip hop sound mixed with dance beats and influences from as far afield as Japan and India.

The US rapper told MTV:"As you grow, you experience different things. You start travelling, you start collaborating with different people and you start experiencing life bigger.

"I was the type of artist that created my music based from my experience. And nothing has changed. I'm always in Europe, always in Asia, always in India, always in Japan, always in Africa, the U.K., France, and this is the kind of music that I'm exposed to."

Akon - who has Senegalese heritage - has also forged a strong working relationship with French DJ David Guetta, with the pair producing a number of tracks together - including Akon's next European single, 'Angel' - and the rapper praised the"energy"they create when they join forces.

He added:"I just do it to the best of my abilities, because I love how the energy flows, because I see it and how it makes people feel, how it turns the party out, how it blows the concerts out of the water and you're just like, 'This is it!'"

'Angel' is released on November 8 in the UK.

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Lily Allen - Lily Allen And Jay Sean Given Bmi Awards

Lily Allen, Jay Sean and Sting all picked up accolades for their songwriting at the BMI Awards last night (05.10.10).

Lily Allen, Jay Sean and Sting all received songwriting awards last night (05.10.10).

The pop stars were all given awards for the amount of radio and TV play they have had in the US at the Broadcast Music International (BMI) awards, which honours songwriters.

Record company executives collected the trophies on behalf of most artists, although legendary music industry figures including The Beatles producer George Martin and lyricist Don Black were in attendance - and Don was named BMI Icon at the ceremony, for his services to songwriting.

After a film montage of his career, Don - most famous for writing the words to five James Bond themes and winning an Oscar for the theme to 'Born Free', as well as the lyrics to a number of musicals - collected the engraved cup-shaped award and gave an acceptance speech.

He quipped:"After Del's introduction I don't think anyone will have to Google me. And thanks for that bucket, I may well need it.

"My whole life changed, for me, when I was working in Demnark street, London, in the early days; and it's very appropriate to mention tonight, that the first song I plugged as a song plugger was 'Don't Laugh At Me' by the late, but certainly great, Norman Wisdom.

"I've worked with so many brilliant composers, I couldn't possibly mention them all - but I have to name John Barry and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who both played such an important part in my career."

Former M People singer Heather Small also attended to collect an award for her song 'Proud', which is the theme tune to reality series 'The Biggest Loser' in the US.

She told BANG Showbiz:"It's nice to be recognised. My award is for 'Proud', which is on 'The Biggest Loser', which may not sound great, but it's all about losing weight!

"I don't do so much now, but I'm going on tour with Lula and Anastacia in November later this year, which I'm looking forward to."

Over 50 trophies were given out over the evening, with the writers behind hits including Akon and David Guetta's 'Sexy Chick', Jay-Z and Rihanna's 'Run This Town' and Cascada's 'Evacuate the Dancefloor' collecting awards.

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David Guetta - David Guetta's Creamfields Party

David Guetta, Leftfield, and Tiesto were among the acts delighting revellers at the Creamfields festival this weekend.

David Guetta dubbed Creamfields"the biggest party on the planet"during his headline set this weekend.

The 42-year-old French DJ headlined the famous dance music event on Saturday (28.08.10) and wowed the 60,000-strong crowd at Daresbury Estate in Chesire, North West England, with a stunning set boosted by pyrotechnic displays, smoke machines and even an LED robot.

Speaking afterwards, he said:"Creamfields was the first festival that booked me so it's very special for me.

"The energy was amazing, there was so much love. I was really moved."

While the Frenchman had been the obvious choice on who to see headline on the first day of the dance music festival, revellers were divided on how to close their weekend on Sunday (29.08.10).

Spectacular sets from dance pioneers Leftfield in the Cream tent and a constantly packed out Swedish House Mafia tent - which saw people turned away as so many were trying to see Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso - meant there was plenty to drag festivallers away from the main stage, but those who stayed were rewarded by a stunning performance from Tiesto.

Other performers over the weekend included 'Acceptable in the 80s' hitmaker Calvin Harris - performing what was rumoured to be his last show with a live band - up-and-coming US starlet Uffie, and house producer Deadmau5.

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