The Declaration

Ashanti | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2008)
• Original Release Date: June 3, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal Motown
• ASIN: B000ZK3RUK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,545 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The incomparable Ashanti is back with "The Declaration"!!This multiple Grammy winner and R&B superstar has delivered some of her most powerful and passionate songs yet. "The Declaration" features the smash hit "The Way That I Love", which showcases the power of Ashanti's soulful voice as she tells the heart wrenching story of a scorned lover. This 13 song set is Ashanti's 4th studio album and first since 2004. Ashanti has been busy developing her acting career with John Tucker Must Die, Coach Carter, and Resident Evil, and now she returns to deliver a career defining album!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY OUSTANDING!!!! BEST ALBUM SO FAR THIS YEAR.., June 3, 2008

By 

Q. Jones "musical genuis" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Declaration (Audio CD)

Ashanti really delivered with this album. You can hear the growth in lyrically and vocally. Ashanti has always been one to make hit records, but in my opinion, this project surpasses all over her past albums. This happens to be the most versatile albums of the year. It displays so many genre's of music from pop to R&B, and just as the title implies, it is THE DECLARATION. I can listen to this entire album from the begninning to the end. The Way that I love You was just amazing, and is still topping the urban charts. You're gonna miss, a pop inspired is also incredible, I love the beat changes in this song. Things you make me do with Robing Thicke just puts you in the mood, their voices are so great together. Struggle has great vocals and it takes you to a place that everyone can relate to. Girlfriend -HOT!!! just gets you back in the mood. So over YOU - MY FAVORITE -club banger, the beat is just crazy. MOTHER and SHINE are two amazing tracks that display some of Ashanti's best vocals to date. Ashanti always create songs with meaning, and they are two beautiful songs. Body on ME is surely a summer hit with Nelly and Akon. The Declaration climaxes the album where she releases all her inner-thoughts and lets loose. It's amazing with great vocals as well. EVERY SONG is a winner for me. You should definetly BUY this album.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 2.75 Stars Ashanti's worst album, June 22, 2008

By 

I'm hungry. feed me - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Declaration (Audio CD)

In The Vocal department, Ashanti has improved greatly. Since this album has no samples, as difficult as that is to believe, Ashanti has improved in the instrument department. But here's where she got worse : the lyric department. This album is not as hip-hop as the last 3 (Not counting Collectables By Ashanti) but it's also not as good. "Body On Me", which features Akon and Nelly is one of the worst songs on the album and it's mainly because of Akon's over-sexualized chorus. The Way That I Love You, one of the better songs on the album was an excellent first single choice. "You're Gonna Miss" sounds like a part 2 to Mariah Carey's "I'm That Chick". "Shine" Has great lyrics but she has a child choir and the children in the choir have no singing abilities so, that ruins that song. "Mother" Is one of the highlights on the album (It's also a dedication to her mother/Momager). Honestly, This album could have been a lot better. Plus, In My opinon, the best track is an iTunes only track (In the US) : "Why". That is the best album track and should have been on the CD.

It's great that she dropped the excessive guest rappers, the sampling, and has improved her vocals but this album just doesn't add up. If her 5th album is like this, I think she'll be doing as well as Toni Braxton is right now (And I am still waiting on a comeback from Braxton). This album is not that great.

Standout Tracks
Mother
The Way That I Love You
The Things You Make Me Do (With Robin Thicke)
Struggle

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Declaration", June 3, 2008

By 

Mikeisha Best (Mitchellville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Declaration (Audio CD)

I really fell in love with "The Way That I Love You" when I saw its graphic video. The haunting piano rift, strong drumming arrangement and great vocal delivery all stuck with me after just one view of the video. From there, I knew I had her hear the album it was featured on. In short, Ashanti is the same old Ashanti. She's the same little lady from "Foolish", "Baby" and "Happy" from her self-titled debut. She still has that bubbly side which separates her from her contemporaries. But Ashanti has always had a dark side which is brought to life in her music. Songs such as "Rain on Me", "Rescue", "Scared" and "The Way That I Love You" are just a few of those songs. All of her albums are decent or better; "The Declaration" is easily one of her finest works to date; it's just as good as her impressive debut. This album contains mostly up-tempo, light-hearted numbers, but, like with every Ashanti album, there are darker, more serious moments here, also.

Tina Douglas has a heartfelt tribute on this album called "Mother." Ashanti gets very emotional on this song; her emotions are felt all throughout her delivery. She gives one of her best vocal performances ever on this song and there is no wonder why, Tina Douglas raised a sweet, mature and talented woman. I appreciate the fact that guest appearances were few on this album. After all, this is the "declaration." However, Nelly and Akon are featured on one of the album's finest moments entitled "Body On." This piano-heavy up-tempo track is pretty explicit in lyrical content, but it's very enjoyable nonetheless. I'm not a fan of Akon, but he does very well on this track, even better than Nelly, who does just alright. Of course, neither outshine the star of the show, Ashanti. Robin Thicke is featured on the sexy "Things You Make Me Do." Both artists gave a very smooth and sensual delivery on this slower track. Jermaine Dupri produced a wonderful track, "Good Good." There is no doubt that those who own this album will be playing this song along with "The Way That I Love You" over and over. Ashanti is bragging on how great her stuff is on this song. Also, this song features a great sample of Michael Jackson's song, "The Girl is Mine."

You have probably figured this out by now, but I really had a good time listening to this album. There is nothing groundbreaking or innovative on this disc, but it is still entertaining. I recommend this album to R&B lovers because it is just easy to enjoy.

Mikeisha's Top 5
1. "The Way That I Love You"
2. "Good Good"
3. "Body On"
4. "Girlfriend"
5. "Mother"