"Beautiful" is the third single from Akon's third studio album, Freedom. The song features American pop singer Colby O'Donis and a rap verse from Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall. "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, in Dutch with Dutch singer Brace, and in Spanish with Mexican singer Dulce María. 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.
"Beautiful" | ||||
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Single by Akon featuring Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall | ||||
from the album Freedom | ||||
Released | January 6, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2008 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 5:12 (album version) 3:51 (radio edit) 3:19 (UK radio edit) | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Akon singles chronology | ||||
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Colby O'Donis singles chronology | ||||
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Kardinal Offishall singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Beautiful" on YouTube | ||||
Beautiful (Brazilian edition) by Akon featuring Negra Li | ||||
Beautiful (Mexican edition) by Akon featuring Dulce María | ||||
Negra Li singles chronology | ||||
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Dulce María singles chronology | ||||
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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 Dulce María. 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.
Chart (2009) | Position |
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Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)[34] Original version |
76 |
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100 Airplay)[34] Remix featuring Negra Li |
37 |
Chart (2009) | Position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[35] | 65 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[36] | 45 |
Costa Rica (Monitec)[37] Remix featuring Dulce María |
28 |
Costa Rica (Monitec Anglosajón)[38] Remix featuring Dulce María |
6 |
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[39] | 11 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[40] | 88 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[41] | 46 |
Russia Airplay (TopHit)[42] | 106 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[43] | 96 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[44] | 49 |
US Billboard Hot 100[45] | 54 |
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[46] | 29 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[47] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[48] | 2× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[49] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] | Gold | 7,500* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[52] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |