ATLANTA (AP) - Akon's explosive rise to the top of the music charts was fueled by feel-good songs and naughty grooves - but his criminal past was always an underlying part of his success. His breakthrough album was titled "Konvicted," his music company is called Konvict, and the clank of prison bars are often heard in his music. But after his burgeoning international star appeal was tarnished by missteps, including a brush with the law, the singer is looking to distance himself from street life and make amends for his mistakes. "At this stage of my life, I'm trying to step away from the whole convict aura," says Akon, who released his third CD, "Freedom, this week. "It's what made me become the man who I am today. I'm now trying to take everything that was so dark and shed light into it."

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kid Rock is upset that he can't pick the good deed that will serve as his punishment for a brawl at a Georgia Waffle House.In a post on his Web site, the rocker blasts a judge for denying his request to serve his 80 hours of community service by performing for U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East. "Apparently he thinks it's more important that I do something else rather than sing, shake hands, take pictures and spend time with the men and women who put themselves in harms (sic) way to protect the very freedom he and all of us live by," the singer wrote in a holiday message posted on his site.