"Mama Africa" is the fourth single from Akon

Akon

Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...

's second studio album, Konvicted

Konvicted

-Samples:*"Mama Africa" samples Gentleman's "Dem Gone"*"Tired of Runnin'" samples Bobby Bland's " I Don't Want to Be Right"*"Once in a While" samples 3 Dog Night's "I'd Be So Happy"*"Don't Matter" interpolates the melody of R...

. The song was written and produced by Hakim Abdulsamad, frontman of R&B 1980s band The Boys

The Boys (band)

The Boys is an American R&B quartet composed of the four Abdulsamad brothers, Khiry , Hakeem , Tajh , and Bilal . The group started out singing in Carson, California. The group had three #1 singles on the R&B charts but never had a mainstream pop #1.-Early years:The Boys were encouraged by their...

. The single was released to radio stations on May 15, 2007, before being officially released in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2007. The official remix of the track features 50 Cent

50 Cent

Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...

. The lyrics are written as a homage to Akon's homeland, Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

. The song peaked at #47 on the UK Singles Chart

UK Singles Chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...

, his second to do so, the first being "Pot of Gold". The track was B-listed upon its first airplay on BBC Radio 1

BBC Radio 1

BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...

. The single's artwork was designed by Chris Jarvis. A video for the song was filmed in October 2006, however, due to licensing issues, was not released. The video was later leaked to the internet in February 2009.

Tracklisting

UK CD Single

1. "Mama Africa" - 4:25
2. "Kill The Dance (Got Something For Ya)" (Feat. Kardinal Offishall
   Kardinal Offishall
   Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
   
   ) - 2:58

European CD Single

1. "Mama Africa" - 4:25
2. "Mama Africa" (Instrumental) - 4:25
3. "Don't Matter" (Calypso Remix) - 5:38
4. "Don't Matter" (Calypso Instrumental) - 5:38

Charts

>

Chart (2007)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles	8