AKON - AKON SIGNS UP WITH TEAM HOUSTON

AKON SIGNS UP WITH TEAM HOUSTON

R+B star AKON has found something to smile about after landing the job of helping to revive WHITNEY HOUSTON's career. The Senegalese hitmaker, who has come under fire for dirty dancing with a 14-year-old at a concert in Trinidad last month (Apr07), has been drafted in as one of the brains behind Houston's comeback album. He tells Billboard.com, "We haven't actually gone into the studio yet; right now I'm just coming up with a lot of different ideas and directions. Akon, who's signed on to write and produce material for Houston's new album, has joined the likes of Ne-Yo and the diva's longtime mentor Clive Davis in the studio. He adds, "I just think she needs to come with great songs... The voice is there; I don't think anyone could ever take that from her. As long as we apply that voice to hit records, she'll be right back where she left off."