Jump to content

Braveheart (Ashanti album): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 32: Line 32:
|Single 1 = I Got It
|Single 1 = I Got It
|Single 1 date = November 26, 2013
|Single 1 date = November 26, 2013
|Single 2 = Runaway
|Single 2 date = June 30, 2014
}}}}
}}}}


Revision as of 00:08, 18 March 2014

For other albums called Braveheart or Brave Heart, see Braveheart (disambiguation).
Untitled

BraveHeart is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Ashanti, released on March 4, 2014.[2][3] It is the singer's first album since The Declaration (2008), and the first album released since setting up her own record label titled Written Entertainment. BraveHeart was independently distributed through eOne Music. Alongside working with record producers Lil Ronnie, Mansur and Cool & Dre. The lead single, "Never Should Have", was released on March 25, 2013. The second single, "I Got It", featuring rapper Rick Ross, was made available for purchase as a digital download on November 26, 2013. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number ten, becoming Ashanti's fifth top ten album.[4]

Background

On June 3, 2008, Ashanti released her fourth album The Declaration,[5] which spawned the singles "The Way That I Love You", "Body on Me" (with Akon & Nelly) and "Good Good". The first peaked within the top-forty on the Billboard Hot 100, whilst "Body on Me" peaked at number forty-two; "Good Good" managed to reach top-forty on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. These singles became the lowest charting amongst Ashanti's career thus far.[6][7] Whilst The Declaration peaked at number six and sold 86,000 copies in its first week, Concrete Rose (2004) reached number seven with 254,000 copies sold.[8] The Declaration became her first album to not to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[9] Just under a year later in May 2009 Irv Gotti, the president of Ashanti's label Murder Inc., told MTV News that Ashanti's affiliation to the label was over. He said "The relationship has run its course. The chemistry of what's needed — we're in two totally different places. You're talking to somebody that took her and shaped and molded her and put her out there for the world, and it blew up. We [hold the record] for the [fastest] selling debut by a female R&B artist — 503 [thousand]. We did it! My views and philosophies and her views and philosophies are not meeting up."[10]

Production

In February 2010, Ashanti had begun work in the recording studios for a brand new album,[11] and in December the same year, Ashanti confirmed that fans could expect new music in 2011.[12] In July 2011, a promo picture was released announcing that new music was on the way and a brand new single was due in August 2011.[13] On July 26, 2011, Ashanti announced that her fifth album would be the first to be independently released via her own newly established record label, Written Entertainment.[14] Details of the label and distribution came out in December, when it was unveiled that Written Entertainment would be independently distributed worldwide through eOne Music.[15][16] in an press release from eOne music they stated “eOne is proud to have a partnership with Ashanti and her label Written Entertainment,” said Alan Grunblatt, President of eOne Music. “Ashanti truly has the independent entrepreneurial attitude that eOne was built on, and we’re thrilled to be working with her".[17] Ashanti added, “I’m so excited to have my own record label, Written Entertainment. With eOne as my distributor, I feel that their innovative and ambitious approach to the music industry, really gives my label a worldwide presence. They have the top radio people in the business and are hungry to win! The more I learned the business the more I knew this is what I wanted. Ownership is so important. As a business woman this was a great move for me!”[15]

During an interview on 106 & Park, Ashanti revealed the there was two collaborations on the album one being with a male vocalist and one being with a female vocalist, however boombox revealed that the male artist was R. Kelly and the female was Keyshia Cole.[18] Ashanti worked with R. Kelly, Rico Love (“Perfect So Far”), and Keyshia Cole. She’s unsure if the latter collaboration will end up on her album or just Keyshia’s upcoming project. “The record is dope. I love it,” she said.[19]

Title and artwork

In an interview with Power 99 FM, Ashanti explained how the Oscar-winning film Braveheart inspired her album title. “The metaphor that I took was basically in the movie you have the Europeans, you have the soldiers from London and the U.K.,” she said. “They have the big horses, they have the shields, the guns, the weapons… They’re all armored up. And then you have the Scots. They’re all raggedy, homemade weapons, and paint on their faces. It’s not an even playing ground, so I feel like with the [major labels], they’re bossed up. They have the big engine and all the artists signed to them and with the indies, it’s depending. It’s homemade, it’s homegrown. It’s a lesser engine. So the metaphor I was using was being brave and putting your blood and guts into it and fighting passionately to win".[20] The album's artwork was released 22 March 2012 the artwork was described as "The warrior princess strikes a bold pose on the dramatic cover art."[20] The image used is a screenshot from the music video for "The Woman You Love"; it was since revealed that on April 13, 2013, that Ashanti flew out to Atlanta to shoot a brand new artwork with photographer Robert Ector.[21] In January 2014, the singer unveiled the brand-new album artwork on her official Instagram account.[22]

Composition

Sound and influence

Ashanti spoke on the influence of the album saying she also explained how the Oscar-winning film Braveheart inspired her album title. “The metaphor that I took was basically in the movie you have the Europeans, you have the soldiers from London and the U.K.,” she said. “They have the big horses, they have the shields, the guns, the weapons… They’re all armored up. And then you have the Scots. They’re all raggedy, homemade weapons, and paint on their faces. It’s not an even playing ground, so I feel like with the [major labels], they’re bossed up. They have the big engine and all the artists signed to them and with the indies, it’s depending. It’s homemade, it’s homegrown. It’s a lesser engine. So the metaphor I was using was being brave and putting your blood and guts into it and fighting passionately to win.”[19]

Songs and lyrics

The album opens with a monologue introduction spoken by Ashanti in which she says; “A lot of people counted me out and that feeds my hunger and ignites my passion to continue my journey, I will continue to thrive, continue to prosper, I will continue to be brave. I am Braveheart.”[23] "She Can't" was produced by Mansur, which was described as a sexy mid-tempo number with a chaotic beat. "Never Should Have" which was also produced by Mansur, sees the singer cooing of a former lover she now regrets over a marching band-driven beat that could easily sit on the pop charts.[24] Rico Love co-wrote the guitar-laden track "Perfect So Far".[24]

Promotion and release

Ashanti performed "The Woman You Love" on February 13, 2012 live on Good Morning America,[25] and also performed the song on April 17, 2012 as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[26] Over a year later, in June 2013, Ashanti took to the stage of Marie to perform "Never Should Have" live for the first time.[27] "Never Should Have" along with snippets of "She Can't" and "I Got It" (featuring Future) all featured on DJ Ty Boogie's Str8 RnB pt. 6 mixtape, hosted by Ashanti.[28] On July 30, 2013, the date BraveHeart was supposed to be released, Ashanti confirmed that the album would now be released in September 2013. Via for Instagram account she posted a new promotional picture and said, "Hey y'all! So Braveheart is NOT coming out today we have clearances & legalities to take of... It costs to be the boss!!!".[29] According to the latest reports, the album is due for release in early 2014, preceded by the new single, "I Got It" featuring rapper Rick Ross.[30] Originally set for a February 18 release,[31][32] the album was released on March 4, 2014.[2][3]

Singles

On December 15, 2011, "The Woman You Love" featuring American rapper Busta Rhymes was unveiled as the album's lead single.[33] The song which samples Cream's single "White Room" was released for digital download a day later.[34] Trent Fitzgerald of Popcrush wrote "This song is a great start for Ashanti" and expressed great interest in "what she is going to bring in 2012 now that she is an independent woman".[35] The video premiered on BET's 106 & Park on March 13, 2012 and peaked at number 5 on April 23, 2012 [36] "The Woman You Love" debuted at number ninety-seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the week of January 7, 2012.[37] Three weeks later the song re-entered at number ninety-five for the week of January 28, 2012.[38] An "R&B Mix" of the song, sans Busta Rhymes, was released on February 14, 2012.[39] "The Woman You Love" peaked at number fifty-nine.[40] However, The next song to receive full single treatment was "Never Should Have" which was released for digital download on March 25, 2013.[41] The official music video was filmed in March 2013 by director Sanji.[42] The song impacted US Rhythmic and Urban radio on April 29, 2013.[43][44] After it was announced that the album was pushed back from July 30, 2013, Ashanti announced that two exclusive remixes, The JButtah and AllStyle Remixes of "Never Should Have" would be released and promoted to radio stations.[45] The album's next single "I Got It" featuring Rick Ross, was made available for purchase via iTunes on November 26, 2013.[30][46] It was sent to US urban contemporary radio stations on January 28, 2014.[47]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[48]
HipHopDX[49]
USA Today[50]

Upon its release, BraveHeart was met with generally positive from music critics. Jon Reyes of HipHopDX gave the album three out of five stars, saying "Needless to say the female R&B paradigm continues to evolve. Even the game changers have had to make adjustments in regards to their creative output. There’s a needed "wow factor" with every move made coupled with material that’ll elicit some emotional connection, the way Jhené Aiko’s latest Sail Out EP has done. Braveheart has a few of those moments that demonstrate sonic evolution and connectedness. Though it is concise and cohesive, more than any of Ashanti’s albums, it’s still marred with glimpses of wanted grandiosity at the expense of artistic revelation. Brave would have been sacrificing that wanted grandiosity."[49] Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album four out of five stars, saying "Although it took longer to complete than Ashanti, Chapter II, and Concrete Rose combined, Braveheart doesn't sound like it. More importantly, The Declaration's lack of success -- relative to those previous albums -- doesn't seem to have changed Ashanti's direction one bit."[48] At USA Today, Elysa Gardner rated the album two-and-a-half stars out of four, stating that "Ashanti defies and succumbs to romantic clichés, her piquant soprano alternately teasing and sulking, lashing out and standing firm."[50]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 28,000 copies in the United States.[51]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro – Braveheart" Mista Raja Greene, Yusuf Sef Millz Alexander, Kevin Randolph (co.)5:23
2."No Where" Sharif "Reefa" Slater, Kibwe "12Keyz" Luke for ATM3:02
3."Runaway" Sharif "Reefa" Slater, Kibwe "12Keyz" Luke for ATM3:10
4."Count" Detail2:53
5."Early in the Morning" (featuring French Montana) DJ Clue, E-Bass, Drone4:07
6."3 Words" L.T Hutton3:23
7."Love Games" (featuring Jeremih) Tim "Bosky" Bullock, SlayerTracks4:12
8."Scars" L.T Hutton, Kevin Randolph (co.)5:49
9."Never Should Have" Mansur Zafr3:58
10."She Can't" Mansur Zafr3:44
11."Don't Tell Me No"Ashanti • James Fauntleroy •Tiffany Fred • MansurMansur Zafr3:49
12."I Got It" (featuring Rick Ross) L.T Hutton4:06
13."First Real Love" / "Outro" (featuring Beenie Man) Teetimus, Mista Raja Greene4:53
iTunes Store bonus tracks[52]
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
14."Perfect So Far"Rico Love, Pierre Medor4:51
15."Never Too Far Away"L.T Hutton5:25
Target bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
14."Bonafide Survivor"Warryn Campbell3:50
15."RIP" 4:12
Total length:1:00:33

Chart performance

Chart Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200[53] 10
U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[53] 4
U.S. Independent Albums[53] 1
U.S. Top R&B Albums[53] 2

Release history

Country Date Format Label Ref
United States March 4, 2014
eOne Music
[2][3]

References

  1. ^ "Ashanti Talks About Working With Ja Rule + Planned On Having Kids With Nelly? [VIDEO]". Hot97.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  2. ^ a b c "Ashanti's 'Braveheart' Album Gets New Artwork, Release Date". Huffington Post. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Ashanti Unveils New 'BraveHeart' Cover, Release Date". Vibe magazine. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  4. ^ Grein, Paul. "Chart Watch: Will Pharrell Be "Happy" With 112K? | Yahoo Music - Yahoo Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  5. ^ "Ashanti and Nelly Get New Release Dates". Rap-Up.com. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  6. ^ "Ashanti - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  7. ^ "Ashanti - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  8. ^ "Disturbed Scores Third Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  9. ^ "Irv Gotti on Ashanti: 'I'm Gonna Drop Her'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  10. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-05-07). "Irv Gotti Says He's Dropping Ashanti From The Inc". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  11. ^ "Ashanti Shines Bright in Hollywood". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  12. ^ "Ashanti Is a Sight to See at 'Tourist' Premiere". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  13. ^ "Ashanti Heats Up the Desert in New Promo Pic". Rap-Up.com. 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  14. ^ "Ashanti Shares Laughs with Lil Wayne". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  15. ^ a b "Ashanti Announces New Record Deal". Rap-Up.com. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  16. ^ "Ashanti Announces New Record Deal and Upcoming Album". Vibe. 2011-12-15. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  17. ^ Dec 15, 2011 (2011-12-15). "Ashanti Announces New Record Deal". The Urban Daily. Retrieved 2012-07-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Ashanti Talks 'Braveheart,' Owning Her Own Label on '106 & Park'". Rap-Up.com. 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  19. ^ a b "Ashanti Dishes on Album Title, Keyshia Cole Duet, & 'Coach Carter 2'". Rap-Up.com. 2012-03-15. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  20. ^ a b "Album Cover: Ashanti – 'BraveHeart'". Rap-Up.com. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  21. ^ "Ashanti shooting new album artwork with Robert Ector this weekend!". Writtenbyashanti.com. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  22. ^ Copsey, Robert (January 8, 2014). "Ashanti unveils new album BraveHeart artwork, confirms release date". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  23. ^ "Ashanti 'Braveheart' Album Stream". Rap-Up.com. 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  24. ^ a b Posted Mar 7th 2012 3:05PM by Georgette Cline Comments (2012-03-07). "Ashanti Album Listening: Title Is Film-Inspired, R. Kelly Collaborates, Songs Center on Love". The Boombox. Retrieved 2012-07-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "ashanti » News Archive » Ashanti To Perform On Good Morning America". Ashantithisisme.com. 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  26. ^ by Bené Viera (2012-04-18). "Ashanti Turns Up the Heat with New Look in Jimmy Kimmel Performance | Music News + Gossip | VH1 Music". Vh1.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  27. ^ "Ashanti Performs 'Never Should Have' on 'Marie'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  28. ^ "@DJTYBOOGIE1 - Str8 Rnb Pt6- Hosted By Ashanti Hosted by DJTYBOOGIE // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  29. ^ Leonard, Kato (30 July 2013). "Ashanti Delays 'Braveheart' Album". LoudMusic247. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  30. ^ a b "New Music: Ashanti Feat. Rick Ross 'I Got It'". Vibe. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  31. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (December 28, 2013). "2014 music preview: Best of the rest". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  32. ^ "BraveHeart". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  33. ^ "New Music: Ashanti f/ Busta Rhymes – 'The Woman You Love'". Rap-Up.com. 2011-12-14. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  34. ^ "iTunes - Music - The Woman You Love (feat. Busta Rhymes) - Single by Ashanti". iTunes. 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  35. ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (December 15, 2011). "Ashanti, 'The Woman You Love' Feat. Busta Rhymes – Song Review". Popcrush. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  36. ^ "106 & Park 04/23 | BET's 106 & Park Countdown". C0untd0wn.com. 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  37. ^ "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  38. ^ "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
  39. ^ "iTunes - Music - The Woman You Love (R&B Mix) - Single by Ashanti". iTunes. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  40. ^ "A Tribute to the Ever Beautiful, Miss Ashanti". Teamashanti.Com. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
  41. ^ "iTunes - Music - Never Should Have - Single by Ashanti". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  42. ^ "Ashanti "Never Should Have" (Sanji, dir.)". VideoStatic. 2013-05-31. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  43. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Rhythmic". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  44. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
  45. ^ "News | Ashanti Releases "Never Should Have" Remixes Following Album Delay". Singersroom. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  46. ^ "iTunes - Music - I Got It (feat. Rick Ross) - Single by Ashanti". iTunes. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  47. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates |". Allaccess.com. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  48. ^ a b Review by Andy Kellman. "Braveheart - Ashanti". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  49. ^ a b Reyes, Jon. "Ashanti - Braveheart". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  50. ^ a b Gardner, Elysa (March 3, 2014). "Listen Up: Other notable releases". USA Today. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  51. ^ "Rick Ross Rules With Fifth No. 1 Album On Billboard 200". Billboard. 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  52. ^ "iTunes - Music - Braveheart (Deluxe Edition) by Ashanti". Itunes.apple.com. 1980-10-13. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  53. ^ a b c d "Rick Ross Rules With Fifth No. 1 Album On Billboard 200". Billboard. 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Braveheart_(Ashanti_album)&oldid=600088281"