Ten years after he last charted on any major Billboard chart in the United States, Akon returns with Akon’s Beautiful Day, which debuts at #31 on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay.

The track speaks to resilience, hope, and finding the light and sunshine in the midst of life’s darkness.

It features a powerful interpolation of the viral hook written by gospel artiste Jermaine Edwards and which was later covered by 10-year-old Jamaican student Rushawn Ewears.

Rushawn’s heartwarming performance, captured on film during a school lunch, moved audiences worldwide, including Akon himself.

This record beautifully wraps his smooth vocals around this melody, transforming it into a stadium-style anthem with the support of a choir of children’s voices, echoing the message that no matter what you are going through, you can always find light and beauty in life.

Akon collaborated with JKash, J R Rotem, and Phil Phever on Akon’s Beautiful Day.

The release of the new single coincides with the 20th anniversary of Akon’s debut album, Trouble, which first launched him into a global star with hits like Locked Up, Lonely, and Ghetto.

Prior to Akon’s Beautiful Day, Akon last charted in the United States at #52 in 2014 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with the song Came to Do featuring Chris Brown.

Akon has worked with Jamaican acts through the years. In 2006 he teamed up with Beenie Man on Girls, a track from Beenie Man’s Undisputed album, which rose to #47 in the UK.

What’s Love with Shaggy, which is featured on Shaggy’s Intoxication album, charted at #52 in Germany.

Still on the Billboard rhythmic charts, Shenseea’s Work Me Out featuring Wizkid stays grounded at #33 on Rhythmic Top 40. Meanwhile, the song slips from #40 to #41 in its 5th week on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and inches up from #25 to #24 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.

Santa by Rvssian featuring Rauw Alejandro and Ayra Starr sits firm at #28 in its 19th week on Billboard’ Latin Airplay chart. It finds better luck on Latin Rhythm Airplay, stepping up from #10 to #9 in its 20th week.

Over on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, three titles re-enter.

At #10 is Courage to Grow by Rebelution, while Welcome to Jamrock by Damian “Jr Gong” Marley is #9. At #8 is UB45 by UB40, which peaked at #7 earlier this year.

Elsewhere on the chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers log 249 non-consecutive weeks in the #1 spot with Legend, while Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy remains at #2.

Dutty Classics Collection by Shaggy is steady at #3, so too is World on Fire by Stick Figure at #4.

Dutty Rock by Sean Paul rises from #7 to #5, while Set in Stone and Wisdom by Stick Figure are #6 and #7.

Moving now to regional reggae charts, Caravan of Love by D Major takes over the #1 spot on the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Reggae chart. Meanwhile, Nyabinghi Love by Maxi Priest glides from #4 to #2, Lessons of Love by Christopher Ellis moves up from #12 to #9, and Big Up Kamala Harris by Richie Stephens bolts from #15 to #10.

Music by Tenna Star is the sole entry at #29.

Now over to the South Florida Reggae chart, Can I Call You Rose by Anthony Cruz spends a second week at #1.

Money Talks by Mikey Spice rises to #7, while Survivor by Novel-T cracks the top 10 at #9.

Private Party by JC Lodge bolts from #14 to #11, and Young Killers by Winchester T debuts at #24.