A pleasing blur, one that shows promise, but a blur all the same. It's not bad by any means, and it has its moments, but at 17 tracks, including skits, it all becomes a blur. So why doesn't Ashanti play as greater than the sum of its parts? Largely because it lacks distinctive material, in either terms of the actual songs or the production - and when that's combined with a singer who is good, yet not distinctive herself, the entire production sounds as if its treading water or providing nifty aural wallpaper. Her first album sounds modern, with fairly fresh beats and lightly insistent hooks, and is just naughty enough to warrant a parental advisory sticker (though if you're just listening to this record, it's nigh on impossible to figure out where the objectionable lines are). She can sing, but she's not showy she never hyperventilates, she croons. The album features guest vocals from Gotti, Ja Rule, and the. Ashanti earned generally mixed reviews from music critics.AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it a three-out-of-five-star rating and praised the 'modern, post-hip-hop soul' sound, stating the album has 'fairly fresh beats and lightly insistent hooks, and is just naughty enough'.

It was recorded in New York City and Los Angeles between 20, during the period of time where Ashanti was writing for other artists. She looks the part, trucks with hitmakers - at the time her eponymous debut was released, she was featured on a hit single by Fat Joe - and even approximates Alicia Keys' visuals on the back cover. (album) Ashanti is the debut studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on April 2, 2002, by Murder Inc.

Young, pretty, sexy, stylish, and hip, Ashanti is everything a modern, post-hip-hop soul crooner should be.

Ashanti discography