The Declaration
Encyclopedia
The Declaration is the fourth studio album
by American
R&B
/pop
singer Ashanti
. It was released on June 3, 2008.
The album includes the single "The Way That I Love You
". Ashanti said during her June 2nd appearance on the television program 106 & Park
that she recorded fifty-two tracks for the album, of which fifteen—including the bonus tracks "Why" and "Hey Baby (After the Club)"—were used. This is her last album to be released on Irv Gotti's label The Inc. Records
.
reported that the first single from The Declaration was "Switch", which was produced by Shy Carter and released digitally in the United States on July 24, 2007. It was later reported that "Switch" may not be included on the album's track listing, and that the first single would be "Hey Baby (After the Club)".
's December 2008 movie, Seven Pounds
.
Shanel Odum of Vibe Magazine gave a mixed review to the album saying that "More than half of the album is lukewarm," but also said: (The Title Track) is the album's "Diamond in the rough." Christian Hoard also had a mixed review to the album stating: "This season, while R&B fans spin albums by Mariah
, Usher
and Janet
, Ashanti needs more pizazz to compete."
Ed Richardson – A&R manager for Universal-Motown
, selling 86,000 copies its first week.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
/pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer Ashanti
Ashanti (singer)
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and model. She rose to fame in the early 2000s. Ashanti is most famous for her eponymous debut album, which featured the hit song "Foolish", and sold over 503,000 copies in its first week of release...
. It was released on June 3, 2008.
The album includes the single "The Way That I Love You
The Way That I Love You
"The Way That I Love You", is the second single from Ashanti's fourth studio album, The Declaration , but it is considered as the first official single release from this album. . The song, which was produced by L. T. Hutton, has a very distinct bass line with a piano loop but sung more as a ballad...
". Ashanti said during her June 2nd appearance on the television program 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
that she recorded fifty-two tracks for the album, of which fifteen—including the bonus tracks "Why" and "Hey Baby (After the Club)"—were used. This is her last album to be released on Irv Gotti's label The Inc. Records
The Inc. Records
The Inc. Records , is an American record label, owned by Irv Gotti.In 1999, Murder Inc. released its first album, Venni Vetti Vecci by Ja Rule. The album featured the hit single "Holla Holla". The album was executively produced by Irv Gotti and moved on to go platinum, which rose Ja Rule and...
.
Singles
In mid 2007, MTV NewsMTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
reported that the first single from The Declaration was "Switch", which was produced by Shy Carter and released digitally in the United States on July 24, 2007. It was later reported that "Switch" may not be included on the album's track listing, and that the first single would be "Hey Baby (After the Club)".
- "Hey Baby (After the Club)" was released to radio and digital outlets on October 16. The song, which does not appear on the U.S. editions of the album, peaked at number eighty-seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart.
- "The Way That I Love YouThe Way That I Love You"The Way That I Love You", is the second single from Ashanti's fourth studio album, The Declaration , but it is considered as the first official single release from this album. . The song, which was produced by L. T. Hutton, has a very distinct bass line with a piano loop but sung more as a ballad...
", was released to radio and digital outlets in January 2008, was referred to as the "first single" in press material and media reports. It reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, becoming Ashanti's first song to reach the top forty since "Only UOnly U"Only U" a song by American singer-songwriter Ashanti from her third studio album, Concrete Rose . Released in October 2004 as the album's lead single, the track reached number thirteen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in January, 2005. It peaked at number two in the United Kingdom, being kept off...
" in 2004.
- "Body On MeBody on Me"Body on Me" is a song by rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti featuring singer/producer Akon. It was recorded for Ashanti's fourth album The Declaration and Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort...
" was recorded not only for Ashanti's The Declaration, but also for Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort. It went to number one on Billboard's Hot Videoclip Tracks chart in its first week, becoming the first number one single from Nelly's album.
- "Good GoodGood Good"Good Good" is the second and final single from Ashanti's album The Declaration.-Song information:The accompanying video featured a cameo by Nelly. It premiered on July 17, 2008 on Yahoo!...
" was released to urban radio stations on July 16, 2008. The song contains elements of Elton John's 1974 single "Bennie and the Jets", and has the same melody arrangement as Michael Jackson's "The Girl Is Mine".
Other information
Ashanti performed the song, "Shine", at the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as on FOX News in December. "Shine", was also played near the end in one of the televised previews for Will SmithWill Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
's December 2008 movie, Seven Pounds
Seven Pounds
Seven Pounds is a 2008 film, directed by Gabriele Muccino. Will Smith stars as a man who sets out to change the lives of seven people. Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Pepper star. The film was released in theaters in the United States and Canada on December 19, 2008, by Columbia Pictures...
.
Critical reception
"The Declaration" received "generally mixed reviews" from critics. Dan Gennoe of Yahoo music was impressed saying that the album may be " The best album of Ashanti's career," but that it may also be her most "overlooked."Shanel Odum of Vibe Magazine gave a mixed review to the album saying that "More than half of the album is lukewarm," but also said: (The Title Track) is the album's "Diamond in the rough." Christian Hoard also had a mixed review to the album stating: "This season, while R&B fans spin albums by Mariah
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
and Janet
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Ashanti needs more pizazz to compete."
Track listing
| # | Title | Songwriter(s) | Producer(s) | Featured guest(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Intro" | S. Aurelius | Channel 7 | 1:05 | |
| 2 | "The Way That I Love You The Way That I Love You "The Way That I Love You", is the second single from Ashanti's fourth studio album, The Declaration , but it is considered as the first official single release from this album. . The song, which was produced by L. T. Hutton, has a very distinct bass line with a piano loop but sung more as a ballad... " |
Ashanti Douglas | L.T. Hutton, A. Douglas | 4:27 | |
| 3 | "You're Gonna Miss" | Ashanti Douglas | L.T. Hutton, A. Douglas | 3:14 | |
| 4 | "So Over You" | Ashanti Douglas, R. Jerkins | Darkchild Rodney Jerkins Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:... |
4:00 | |
| 5 | "Struggle" | Ashanti Douglas, L.T. Hutton | L.T. Hutton | 4:35 | |
| 6 | "Girlfriend" | Ashanti Douglas, L.T. Hutton | L.T. Hutton | 3:30 | |
| 7 | "Things You Make Me Do" | Ashanti Douglas, R. Thicke, S. Aurelius, C. Burnette, Keith Ross | Channel 7, Chad Beatz, Keith Ross | Robin Thicke Robin Thicke Robin Charles Thicke is an Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as... |
4:28 |
| 8 | "In These Streets" | Ashanti Douglas, T Feemster | Ron "Neff-U" Feemster | 4:24 | |
| 9 | "Good Good Good Good "Good Good" is the second and final single from Ashanti's album The Declaration.-Song information:The accompanying video featured a cameo by Nelly. It premiered on July 17, 2008 on Yahoo!... " |
J. Dupri, M. Seal, Ashanti Douglas, Cornell Haynes | Jermaine Dupri Jermaine Dupri Jermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :... , Manuel Seal |
3:37 | |
| 10 | "Body on Me Body on Me "Body on Me" is a song by rapper Nelly and singer Ashanti featuring singer/producer Akon. It was recorded for Ashanti's fourth album The Declaration and Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort... " |
Ashanti Douglas, C. Haynes, A. Thiam | Aliaune "Akon" Thiam | Nelly Nelly Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr. , better known by his stage name Nelly, is an Grammy Award winning American rapper and actor. He has performed with the rap group St. Lunatics since 1993 and signed to Universal Records in 1999. Under Universal, Nelly began his solo career in 2000 with his debut album... & Akon Akon Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first... |
3:20 |
| 11 | "Mother" | Ashanti Douglas, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds | Babyface | 5:10 | |
| 12 | "Shine" | Diane Warren Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001... , Ashanti Douglas |
Peter Stengaard | 3:40 | |
| 13 | "The Declaration" | Ashanti Douglas, S. Aurelius, Yinon Yahel | Channel 7, Yinon Yahel | 3:55 | |
| * | "Hey Baby (After the Club)" (Bonus Track) | Ashanti Douglas, Mario Winans | Mario Winans, Channel 7 | Mario Winans Mario Winans Mario Winans is an American R&B singer, songwriter, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born Mario Brown, he is the son of gospel recording artist Vickie Winans and her first husband, Bishop Ronald Brown. He is also the stepson of his mother's second husband, gospel singer, Pastor Marvin... |
3:33 |
| * | "Why" (U.S. iTunes ITunes iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.... Bonus Track) |
Ashanti Douglas Cashman Ogaus, Jim Beanz Jim Beanz James David Washington, better known under his stage name Jim Beanz, is an American vocal producer, songwriter, musician, singer and record producer from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, now working out of Philadelphia, signed to Timbaland Productions and Sunset Entertainment Group... |
4:32 |
Ed Richardson – A&R manager for Universal-Motown
Chart performance
The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, selling 86,000 copies its first week.
| Chart | Providers | Peak position |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... |
6 |
| U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
2 |
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
June 3, 2008 |
| United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
June 9, 2008 |
| Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
July 18, 2008 |