Customer Reviews

Ashanti

5 star:		(125)
4 star:		(65)
3 star:		(60)
2 star:		(41)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

Ashanti S. Douglas is a pretty girl as her self-titled debut's heavily airbrused album cover and her television apperances prove BUT she does have a sweet yet light voice which is pleasant and she writes most of her own material(she also co-wrote Jennifer Lopez & Ja Rule's #1 collabration "Ain't It Funny").But even with good looks and a knack for songwriting,
Ashanti's debut isn't anything new.

This is radio-ready,"106 & Park"-tailored R&B.Stricly for the kids not fans of earthy soul or trendy folks.
Ashanti-who wrote much of "Ashanti"-talks about about three things:love,love,and more love.Groundbreaking...

Sugary,radio-friendly cuts like the first single "Foolish"
(already a hit),"Baby","Call"(featuring her labelmate,Ja Rule)
are pure polite,cutesy teen-R&B fare with easy,elementary,easy-to-sing lyrics to boot.It sounds like these aren't neccesarily songs Ashanti wants to sing,but songs she thinks a photogenic,cute young girl SHOULD sing.And that's the problem,
there seems be no real respect for R&B and it shows.
Since this album was produced by Irv Gotti(like Ja Rule,Ashanti is a Murder Inc. artist;she's the crew's first non-rap artist),
it shows that the folks here are on the more street,hip hop tip and they feel that R&B is just folks singing about love.

Ashanti never passes the line of "R&B Girl",which I think she can easily pass-with more mercurial material,that is.
Fourtnaly,tracks like "Over","Rescue",and "Movies" are a little more earthier than the sweeter songs on here.

Ashanti will most likely become a star.She should.But why does mainstream music have to be so predictible?

Ashanti first stepped on the scene with a song on the Fast & the Furious Soundtrack. She then sang on Ja Rule's, "Always on Time." Ja was riding off the success of his collaboration with J-Lo and that song topped the pop charts as it was dwindling down the hip-hop chart. It's all about timing. Ashanti then debuted the solo song, "Foolish," using the Biggie's sample of Debarge's "stay with me." How do you sample a sample?

The video debuted the song. It sold that song. Then you turn around & she's on Fat Joe's "what's luv." Ashanti was on every video and every radio station. She became the first female to have 3 songs in the top ten at the same time. Her album debuted at #1 with 500,000 sold, but does that say she talented or should the marketing department at Murder Inc. get a huge bonus for the good job they've done?

She does write songs that this generation can relate to. They are simple lyrics, but it still gets the point across. "Scared", Movies", "Baby", and "Over" are some stand out songs. The songs on the CD sound good, but I was disappointed when I first heard her live. She did not sound too good, but I dismissed that performance. The 2nd time was just as bad, nothing like the recorded songs.

I gave this 3 stars because I potential in her in the years to come. If she takes some vocal lessons & survive the sophomore jinx, maybe then can she be Hip-Hop & R&B's new princess.

"See my days are cold without you but I'm hurting while I'm with you and though my heart can't take no more, I keep on running back to you." Words that seem to fit right into the daily picture of many women. Giving their all and getting little in return...being Foolish. Maybe that's why Ashanti's debut single is unstoppable on both urban radio or on music video countdowns across the board, because so many can relate to it. Maybe it's the hypnotizing beat originally sampled from Debarge for the Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance-Remix". Or maybe it's Ashanti's skyrocketing popularity due to show-stealing appearances on Fat Joe's smash `What's Luv" or her label-mate Ja Rule's "Always on Time". Whatever it may be Ashanti seems to be the next big R&B Superstar. Her self-titled album only certifies the star potential that the girl has. From beginning to end Irv Gotti's new money maker drops 14 tracks and 3 skits of music that are destined to blow up. Irv's blockbuster production touch (ala "I'm Real-Remix" and "Ain't It Funny Remix") laces every track on the album and almost ensures that Ashanti will remain in every ones speaker for a long, long time. The next singles "Happy" and "Rescue" have hit written all over them and the extra bonus of Biggie Smalls on the "Unfoolish" remix only add extra value to an already blazing album. While the album includes a couple of bright and sun-shiny moments, "Thank You" and "Dreams", most of the album's length concentrates on love gone wrong. On "Over" Ashanti cries out "Although I know what we had wasn't perfect babe, fooled around, but see that minute didn't phase me I thought by staying, trying to change you would be worth it babe, but now I see that trying to change you only changed me." Stories of a broken heart....many can relate. Even if you can't you can feel the pain through the speakers.

Ashanti, the most hyped and anticipated debut album ( or any album for that matter ) since Aaliyah's self titled release last year in July. Does she deliver? You bet she does. At first when I heard Ashanti was dropping an album I immediately thought it was gonna be garbage. I wasn't too impressed with her singing on songs like Big Pun's How We Roll or Always On Time by Ja Rule. I thought of her as just another fine dime in the videos trying to sing the hook. I especially didn't appreciate her trying to make her first hit over a beat that has been sampled numerous times; most popularly by the Notorious B.I.G. I was wrong. Dead Wrong. While also appearing on Fat Joe's What's Luv, where her singing skills really skyrocketed, she drops the solo joint. For one thing her singing is excellent and vastly improved on this cd, I was really surprised and impressed. The songwriting is superb as well. The highlight of this album is the production. Every song is tight production wise.

In the booklet she promoted t-shirts that said Princess of R&B and rightfully so. This record sounds very similar to how a Mary J. Blige cd would sound. When I say sound I mean the type of beats and the way she sings them. In fact this is the closest thing to a Mary cd that I own ( the only thing it lacks is the raw pure emotion ). For example the song `Happy' sounds a little like Mary J's Love Is All We Need. For me, this type of sound is excellent because I love Mary J and her sound. Other standout songs include Leaving feat. Ja Rule, a nice sequel to Always On Time, Rescue, Scared, Over etc. etc. `Movies' could possibly be the best song on the album. Beautiful singing and production. Unfoolish features Notorious B.I.G. who drops the same verse from his song F. You Tonight. Dreams is basically dreamy; a nice feel good song.

Ashanti's album delivers through all the hype. An impressive debut if I must say. As a matter of fact I wouldn't hesitate to call this the best female R&B album of the year (so far). I definitely recommend it to all fans of the songs she is on right now and to all who like contemporary R&B.

Ashanti Douglas made a slew of guest appearances on other people songs (Ja Rule, Fat Joe, etc.) and now her solo album is finally here. I was interested even more when I heard that Ashanti wrote & co-wrote the entire album. Well that won me over and I purchased the CD. I also like the first single "foolish" a lot. Well let's just say that ASHANTI as a whole doesn't live up to hype.

I was disappointed with this CD. It's not that the songs are bad but that they sound too glossy, too sequenced, almost overproduced in a way. As for Ashanti's lyrics, she sounds like she's trying too hard to be clever ("he's like the lighter to my cigarette/watch me smoke" on "baby"). Another thing that didn't seem right was the way Ashanti sings. She sounds totally different on every single song. Who is Ashanti? Where's her real voice?

Elsewhere on ASHANTI are a few pointless interludes like "intro", "narrative call", "fight", and "shi shi." Instead of adding to the experience of the songs, they just come off as completely annoying. The chorus on "call" sounds exactly like Ja Rule's "I cry" which makes it even more of a drag. "Rescue", "baby", and "voodoo" seem to drag on forever. "Unfoolish" was completely unnecessary. Most of the beats and overall production on ASHANTI start to sound flat after a while. Where's the emotion?

Aside from those less than stellar tracks this CD does offer a few highlights. Tracks like "foolish", "happy" and "leaving" are light summery fun. "Movies" is a sensual fantasy-like delight with its odd spacey beat. ASHANTI sounds good on the surface but that's where it ends. It's more glossy, beat-heavy, fake R&B/pop, than anything else. I don't think "the princess of hip-hop and R&B" applies to her just yet.

Predictable Artists&Acts today are like your Daily ROutine you know how&where everything is gonna land&where it all shall go.Ashanti bit the Debarge Hook for "Foolish" that Biggie Used a few years back.safe formula.and Her whole Presentation&Vibe reminds me of watered down Aaliyah but just going through the Motions.there will be 99 more Ashanti's within the next year.this Formula is really Safe but it Makes Dollars&as the saying goes if it ain't broke don't try fixing it.

When I heard Foolish and Unfoolish on the radio, I thought this CD was going to be a great one. However, when I bought it, I was very disappointed. Ashanti's voice is no reason to be calling her "the Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B" (by the way, have you heard this girl sing live?... it is NOT pretty at all!!!) There are some songs that are worth listening to (Foolish, Unfoolish, Scared, and Baby)... but three of those songs already receive major airplay and the other is actually nothing to go crazy over. Also, the sequel to Always on Time (Leaving, which features Ja Rule) is a pretty good track. All-in-all, this is not a CD I would recommend if you have about $... you want to put to good use.

Ashanti's new album has some cool tracks on it, but she seems to be talking about the same thing in almost every song, it gets boring after awhile, I mean for the young(teens)this album will probably be a classic, but for those of us that are 25 and older, you might find yourself digging for another cd to pop in before your head busts open. Personally, she has a sweet voice and she is the one that made the "What's luv" single jam, but she surely wont be taking anybody's place(Aaliyah) by self-proclaiming herslf the princess of hiphop and r&b.. we all know only one female will hold that title in our hearts forever

Murder inc. first r&b artist ashanti hits the r&b scene with her new and self title debut album 'ashanti.' Ashanti already making history (featured in the top 3 singles on the charts which included fat joe's-whats luv,' ja's-'always on time' and her first single 'foolish') has sold about 500 thousand copies of her album in only the first week of its release. This album is definitely one to get but its not worth all the hype that was spoken about it. A lot of people heard her first love single 'foolish' and ran to get the album, afortunately the rest of the album doesnt play off as good but, still very well. You have to give ashanti credit for writing all the tracks on the album besides one which she co-wrote wit ja. (I believe you should always right your own music or else you shouldn't be called the artist)

This album is definitely complete and thorough but some of her songs i just didnt fall for. 'Foolish' u can just about be sick of hearing cause its already so played out, but i like how ashanti included the remix 'Unfoolish' that was a great addition and you just about can't go wrong with Biggie. Most of the music is about love and relations so it can get kind of borin at times. My favorite track on the album would def. be 'Baby.' This song in my opinion is the best all around song. The lyrics are def. hot and the beat is ill, a well put together track. Also other of my favs include 'scared,'(wit irv gotti) 'rescue'(hot beat...I think her next single), the 'leaving'(always on time prt.2 feat. ja) track, and of corse the 'foolish' and the 'unfoolish'(feat. biggie) version.

I also too believe that ashanti is now mainstream, but u know u would be to if you had the chance so don't hate cause she's doin her thing. This is a big mark ashanti has put down to what now seems will be a great and successful career for her. This is def. a good album to add to ur r&b collection so don't sleep on it.

Ashanti's self-titled debut pulls itself above a lot of (in fact, most of) the R&B stuff out there. In my opinion, this is an excellent departure from Murder Inc.'s sometimes monotonous rap "stars". Some, like Ja and Notorious B.I.G, are featured in her songs, but the spotlight stays on Ashanti. Her great looks, smooth, sweet voice and intoxicating lyrics will be stuck in my head forever.

With happy-go-lucky tracks like "Happy" and "Dreams" with tight and catchy beats to match; brooding, beautiful songs like "Foolish" and "Rescue"; sweet songs that show the emotion and range of Ashanti's voice, like "Movies", "Thank You" (definitely!), "Over" and "Rescue" (again!), songs that definitely radiate Ashanti's girl-power vibe, like the strong "Unfoolish"; and songs that fill in the cracks and ooze with love, like "Voodoo" and "Call", "Ashanti" is definitely an excellent pick--in my opinion, she is one of the most promising singers out there. Where other R&B singers fall short, Ashanti tops out. In my opinion, this is absolutely one of THE albums of the year.

Top 5 Tracks:

1: Happy
Ashanti pulls out a pop song to remember with an beat that makes you want to tap your feet, lyrics that make you want to smile and a HOT video to match. THE song on the album.

2: Rescue
A song dripping with emotion, "Rescue" showcases Ashanti's talent of putting complicated emotions into words. The song flows smoothly. Beautiful.

3: Over
A mellow but catchy tune, with down-to-earth and completely believable lyrics, "Over" makes you feel like Ashanti has been spying on you. A song that is easy to relate to.

4: Unfoolish
This song ties up the ends that "Foolish" left. While "Foolish" was more broody, "Unfoolish" has more power and has a happy ending. A cameo by Notorious B.I.G, albeit vulgar, adds another side to the song.

5: Thank You
While not really a "radio-friendly" song, "Thank You" is a dedication to Ashanti's grandparents. A song where Ashanti throws out her vocals to epic proportions, displaying her talent and range, leaving one question at the end of the album: The Next Diva...?