Sometimes, you just gotta wonder how some artists are able to maintain any level of relevance for over a long period of time. I say this because despite having such and up and down career, Ashanti has been able to do just that. We first heard her voice on the hook of Ja Rule's 2001 hit "Always On Time". Then she dropped her debut self titled album the very next year. Since then, Ashanti has been more of a "here today, gone tomorrow" type artist. One minute she'll drop a song or an album then after that, you won't hear from her for a year or two. As I said, up and down. Needless to say it's been quite difficult for her to remain consistent or relevant. But she is still around and always has been. That's something she makes light of as she returns now with this. Her fifth album Braveheart. I've never really listened to any of Ashanti's albums to be honest. Her last one was 2008's The Declaration and reading some of the critical reception for it, it wasn't too good to some. So yeah, no favorite album for me. However I do have a favorite song which is "Only U" from her 2004 album Concrete Rose. So with that said, I didn't have any kind of expectations for this album. I though this album was just barely above average. No other way to describe it. For a singer who's not really known for hitting those big high notes (which many have considered an issue of hers for years) it's hard to really categorize her style of R&B. At least it is of me. This album shows you just as much hip hop as it does R&B. As far as sound and production is concerned. She's done plenty of straight up R&B ballads in the past but there's very few here. Also, it seems as though there a huge emotional roller coaster going on through the album. She spends most of the time over coming tough obstacles and remaining strong throughout all the adversities. I myself had no idea she was going through any of this. It could explain why she's not around all the time. Anyway, I'll begin now with things I like. Honestly, all the songs with a strong hip hop sound I really enjoyed. Probably for that reason. On "Runaway" she samples the exact beat from LL Cool J's classic record "I Shot Ya". Just with a few more added drums and symbols. That's one of my favorite instrumentals of all time so that alone made me enjoy this. However, because of the beat the son sounds more like a mixtape freestyle that a full R&B song. Still enjoyable. Then the next track "Count" has a cool trap influenced beat. However, I think when people hear this Rihanna is gonna be the first thing they think of because this sounds like one of her songs. Ashanti even sounds like her a bit on the bridge part of the song. Despite the repetitive "count! count! count!" hook (y'all know I hate those), the song is tolerable. The first single "I Got It" has a catchy bounce to it that just makes you like it. Rick Ross is on the track dropping his usual lines about his riches and power but it wasn't a bad verse. Cool song. Then there's the high erotic track "Love Games". A duet with Jeremih. This grew on me after a few listens. The really good R&B duets are very rare today and I think this has the potential to be up there. Perfect midnight romance song. Of course, sex and romance is something Ashanti has shown before she doesn't mind teasing or even bragging about (see "Good Good"). Moving on, "She Can't" finds her being very cocky comparing herself to the next chick. Expressing how she looks better, loves better, better sex and so on. I normally hate when female singers do this and come with that "she ain't got nothing on this" attitude. That's that b.s. Beyonce' is on now and aggravates me with. But the beat pretty much saves this song which is why I can listen to it regardless of content. On "Don't Tell Me No" she samples the beat from Keri Hilson's 2009 hit "Knock You Down". Here she expressing to her man not to say no and not to leave. Don't fight the love you have for her. I kinda laughed at that because that type of situation is normally reversed. But whatever the case, it's a okay song. Some that can relate will like it. Now the dislikes. Off top, I just can't get over how bad "Early In The Morning" is. This was nothing but a one big lame auto-tune fest. But what really ruined it? French Montana. He gets on the track and not raps, but sings in auto-tune. Future style. Bad, bad idea. I honestly would have rather heard Future on this than French Montana if he was gonna do that. Ironically though, this song does sound eerily similar to Rihanna's hit with Future "Loveeeee Song". I couldn't get with this at all. I ended up with the deluxe edition of this album which featured two bonus tracks: "Perfect So Far" and "Never Too Far Away". Both were snooze fests. These two tracks along with a couple other featured the biggest issue of the whole album. Something I mentioned at the top of this review. Her vocals. There's just some songs that project certain sounds that her voice just doesn't match. Nor does she have the kind of vocals to hit certain notes that would bring the song more to life. again, this was the main issue with this album. Overall, I thought the album is just a barely above average attempt. While it seems like a upgrade from her last album, it's an album that many will be very critical of because of what I mentioned and well...because who she is. I give this a final grade of a C. Ashanti names this album Braveheart for a reason. She's been at this for twelve years. All of the tough obstacles she had to overcome, all of the drama, all adversities. She still managed to be strong through it all. Yeah she may not have as good of a voice as other, yeah she's not always around like the other. But I can honestly say, there's probably no one more courageous or has a bigger heart. She is indeed brave. A braveheart. End.
Final Grade: C
CREDITS
Executive Producer
Ashanti Douglas
Lead Artist
Ashanti Douglas
Production
Mansur Zafr
Lenton Hutton
Sharif Slater
Noel Fischer
Eric Shaw
Timothy Bullock
Collaboration
Karim Kharbouch
Jeremih Felton
William Roberts
Anthony Davis
Label
Written Ent./eOne Music
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