Ashanti releases Declaration

Today is the return day for Ashanti, who once was the biggest female R&B artist in the world. Nathan S from djbooth.net writes:

She was the reigning princess, and people across America simultaneously turned up their radios just to listen to her whisper “baby, baby, baby” over and over again. And then, something mysterious happened. Despite two previous platinum albums, sales of her 2004 release Concrete Rose were disappointing at best. Maybe it was Irv Gotti’s legal troubles, maybe it was the quickly shifting landscape of the recording industry, whatever the reason, Ashanti has undeniably disappeared from the spotlight over the last four years. As unthinkable as this would have been in 2001, I just asked my 12-year-old niece who Ashanti was, and she responded “who?””

It is true as time went by I even forgotten Ashanti exists. I forgot how I loved to listen to her unique voice in my car while driving to classes. But you know Nathan is right that Ashanti is still cool and hasn’t changed. She has pretty much been the same and he is right about us changing and not her.

Rolling Stone:

On her fourth album, she’s still doing the diva-by-numbers thing, alternating between angry-at-her-man anthems and lovey pleasantry. The shuffling “Body on Me,” featuring Nelly and Akon, and the shiny electro-pop “So Over You” are a step up from her Ja Rule duets of old. 2 out of 5″

Associated Press:

The disc doesn‘t manage to break any new ground, with Ashanti singing mainly over unremarkable contemporary R&B tracks about her own good loving and cheating boyfriends.”

MSNBC:

Ashanti continues to celebrate her femininity on tracks like the sensual, Robin Thicke-assisted “Things You Make Me Do” and the bass-heavy ”Girlfriend.”

Us Weekly:

While her fourth CD of self-penned R&B tracks contains a few hip beats (such as the piano-driven first single, “The Way That I Love You”), the sound feels out of date. 2 1/2 out of 4″

Ashanti has also been trying herself in acting career which is the latest trend among celebrities whether they go music-to-movies or vice versa. Diva has already starred in Resident Evil, John Tucker Must Die and Coach Carter. But all of her roles were tiny and unimportant. Ashanti says:

I’m always reading scripts. I’m even looking to get into some behind-the-scenes work. Maybe do some co-producing. It’s all about taking chances. You can’t be afraid to try something different.”

Hopefully her album Declaration will give her a boost and she would declare herself as one of the leading vocals in the US.

When you get pushed into a certain position and your back’s against the wall, you’re either gonna sink or you’re gonna swim. I choose not to sink.”

Said singer leaning forward on the conference room table at Universal Motown’s Manhattan headquarters.

Starting today her album is available in stores. See the video of the song from Ashanti’s new album Declaration.

Here are good old favorite vids. ‘What’s Love’ featuring Fat Joe

‘Only U’. This is the best video she has ever done so far. Ashanti really pulled it out.

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