Ashanti: The Declaration

Released on June 3, 2008 Ashanti's fourth album, The Declaration, is a musical representation of Ashanti freeing herself from the restraints of her career. After officially living "The Inc Records" Ashanti returns with new producers, collaborations, and a new sense of self.

First single "The Way That I Love You" was an instant hit, evident by its #2 peaking on Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The song displayed Ashanti returning to form with a powerful ballad about a women discovering that her partner is cheating. Other LT Hutton productions include the infectuous "You're Gonna Miss" and the beautiful ballad "Struggle", which must be a single.

The Darkchild produced "So Over You" is similar to recent hits by Keyshia Cole and Mary J. Blige; however, the song is so heartfelt that after the first verse everyone will remember why Ashanti is still the princess. "Things You Make Me Do" featuring Robin Thicke and "Girlfriend" are very sexual and they give me goosebumps everytime I listen to them.

"In These Streets" is a decent album cut; however, it tends to drag on after the bridge. Subseqeuently, the album itself seems very short. I appreciate Ashanti for dedicating a song to her mother ("Mother") and to those who have ever doubted themselves ("Shine");however, I doubt that they'll be tracks that most people will put on repeat.

For me, the album ends after track #10, "Body On Me" featuring Akon and Nelly, which seems like an overt attempt at a commercial hit. And even though I adore Jermaine Durpi productions, "Good Good" is a little over the top for me, even though I think that it has fourth single hit written all over it. Oh, and the title track is a must hear for anyone who has been left out to dry by someone that they trusted.

Tracklist
1. Intro
2. The Way That I Love You
3. You're Gonna Miss
4. So Over You
5. Struggle
6. Girlfriend
7. Things You Make Me Do
8. In These Streets
9. Good Good
10. Body On Me/Can't Let Go*
11. Mother
12. Shine
13. The Declaration

Top 3 Tracks
So Over You ~ You're Gonna Miss ~ Struggle