Say Less (Ashanti song)
| "Say Less" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Say Less" is a song recorded by American singer Ashanti that features American rapper Ty Dolla $ign. It was released on November 6, 2017, as the lead single from Ashanti's upcoming sixth album. The single was produced by DJ Mustard, and was written by Ashanti and Ty Dolla $ign. It is an R&B, club, and West Coast hip hop song whose lyrics are about someone telling critics to mind their own businesses; Ashanti and Ty Dolla $ign also flirt with one another on the track.
"Say Less" was praised by critics following its release; its vocals were frequently cited as the highlights, though commentators were divided over the production. The song was used in a commercial for Cîroc vodka, and Ashanti further promoted it with live performances. A music video was released on April 6, 2018 on Ashanti's Vevo account. In the video, Ashanti confronts rumors around her career and experiences media scrutiny.
Recording and release
"Say Less" is the lead single from Ashanti's upcoming sixth album,[1] which was made available through Ashanti's record label Written Entertainment.[2] It was written by Ashanti and Ty Dolla $ign while they worked together in a recording studio,[3] and was produced by DJ Mustard.[4] Ty Dolla $ign provided collaborative verses for the song.[5] Ty Dolla $ign and Ashanti had agreed to work together after talking on a group text started by Ashanti's brother; the singers first met in Los Angeles. Ashanti said she thought his melody and cadence would be a good match for her music.[6]
The song was recorded in Tyrese Gibson's recording studio in Miami and was mixed in Atlanta.[5][7] It was released on November 6, 2017, as a digital download.[4][8] Ashanti first announced the song during a discussion with a TMZ cameraman.[5][9] Clean and explicit versions of the song were made available. The single's cover image shows Ashanti naked and covered only with an oversized checkered purse.[10] The day following its release, the track was uploaded to WorldStarHipHop's YouTube account.[11]
Several media outlets called "Say Less" the singer's comeback single.[6][12] During an interview with Billboard, Ashanti said she had not intended the track to be released as a single; she was considering releasing one to two other songs from her album. She decided to make "Say Less" a single after it was chosen for use in an advertisement for Cîroc vodka.[13]
Composition and lyrics
"Say Less" is an R&B, club and West Coast hip hop song,[1][2][14] that lasts three minutes and 14 seconds.[8] Carl Lamarre of Billboard wrote that the composition featured Mustard's "signature flavor",[4] while Trevor Smith of HotNewHipHop identified it as having a West-Coast hip hop sound.[5] Glenn Gamboa of Newsweek described it as an R&B take on Demi Lovato's pop music.[2] Brooke Marine of W wrote that "Say Less" is an example of the album's "slew of fun party bops that fit in with Ashanti's idea of empowerment".[15] Several music critics called the track "bouncy".[4][16][17]
The song revolves around Ashanti telling critics to stay out of her business,[16] and lyrics include "bitch, say less".[18] Ashanti said about the song's lyrics: "I think nowadays we have to make it very clear that if it's B.S., say less, I'm a New Yorker. It's a very New York term. And I think it's just about being bold and getting to the point. I don't have time for you to waste it."[19] During the song, Ashanti and Ty Dolla $ign flirt with one another.[20] In the single edit, she sings: "This is your body/ Ain't no way I could hide it/ I wanna be your top supplier/ Cause I'll provide this all to you".[4] She also talks about acting like a boss: "If it ain't about the money, say less".[2] Ty Dolla $ign boasts about his wealth in the verses: "Young n---a got the pool with me / Make it rain, got a budget on me".[4] He compliments Ashanti and brags about stealing a man's girlfriend by rapping: "Pull up to the party / Jewels all on my body / Your chick on my body / And they can't tell me nothin'".[1][21]
Critical reception
"Say Less" received primarily positive reviews from music critics. Praising the song's composition and Mustard's production as "catchy", Carl Lamarre wrote "Ashanti's dulcet vocals are sweeter than ever".[4] Emmanuel C.M. of XXL called it "a fun club record",[22] and Claire Valentine of Paper praised Ashanti's confidence.[23] Sydney Gore of MTV said the single "will definitely spark the fire of your desire this winter".[6] A reviewer from Rap-Up praised Mustard's production and Ashanti's vocals, and referred to Ty Dolla $ign's contributions as "soothing vocals".[1] Trevor Smith described Ty Dolla $ign and Mustard as "a proven hitmaking team", and wrote that they acted as "a strong support section" for Ashanti.[5]
Other critics responded negatively to the song's composition.[20][24] D-Money of SoulBounce.com praised "Say Less" as "the kind of frothy, club-ready R&B aimed straight for the mainstream", but criticized it for lacking "substance, memorability or staying power".[20] Tom Breihan of Stereogum was more critical of the single, writing that it was stuck in "the hot sound of four years ago" and does not sound like an Ashanti song.[24]
Music video and promotion
Promotion and live performances
On November 21, 2017, "Say Less" was featured in a 20-second advertisement for Cîroc vodka,[20][23][25] in which Ashanti wears a bikini.[23] She promoted the commercial with images posted to her Instagram account.[23] Sean Combs had asked Ashanti to appear in the commercial during a meeting at a Las Vegas party. During the filming, Combs told her to create a "Bo Derek moment" for the video.[19] According to Glenn Gamboa, Ashanti collaborated with Cîroc "to empower women by offering her keys to a successful career".[2] Ashanti explained: "I think I always try to just give the message of being an empowered woman and being able to empower women". When discussing the wardrobe for the video, she said: "Women should just be proud without having to feel any pressure."[23]
Ashanti performed "Say Less" as part of a co-headlining concert tour with Ja Rule.[12][26] Victor D. Infante of Telegram & Gazette wrote that she "delivered with equal measures sass and style".[26] She sang the track at Billboard Live as part of medley with her previous songs; Bryan Kess of Billboard included it in his list of the top 20 Billboard Live performances of 2017.[27] Ashanti also appeared on Genius' YouTube channel to explain the song's meaning and lyrics.[7] On May 21, 2018, she performed "Say Less" on Good Day L.A..[28]
Music video
In a 2017 interview with Billboard, Ashanti said a music video for the single was planned, and a preview clip was scheduled to be shown on Total Request Live.[13] The video, directed by Noyz and LT Hutton, was released on April 6, 2018 on Ashanti's Vevo account.[18][29] Throughout the video, Ashanti is confronted by media scrutiny, and Ty Dolla $ign makes minor appearances in several scenes.[18][30] Abby Jones of Billboard described the video as including "theatrical elements".[18]
In the opening scene, Ashanti reflects on her life while a television presenter discusses previous scandals involving her career.[31] The reports include her interview with Joe Budden about a fan throwing money at her during a live performance,[30][31] the indictment of Murder, Inc., and allegations of a hit and run.[32] Ashanti also watches television host Wendy Williams on her daytime talk show and looks at gossip websites.[32] The media outlets reports that the singer pushed a fan into a pool; they are later proven untrue when the fan is revealed to have accidentally fallen into the water.[32] Ashanti responds to the media by saying: "Honestly, people need to just say less."[18] During the opening narration, she says: "Sometimes I feel like, 'Is it really all worth it, for people to attack you and judge you, without even knowing what kind of pain and suffering you might be going through behind closed doors?'" The video ends with "to be continued".[32]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Say Less" | 3:14 |
Credits and personnel
- Production – DJ Mustard
- Songwriting – Ashanti, Ty Dolla $ign
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | November 6, 2017 | Digital download | Written Entertainment | [8] |
References
- ^ a b c d e "New Music: Ashanti Feat. Ty Dolla $ign – 'Say Less'". Rap-Up. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f Gamboa, Glenn (November 15, 2017). "Ashanti releases new single, 'Say Less,' on her own record label". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ashanti Drops By To Talk About Her New Single, "Say Less"". AOL. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Lamarre, Carl (November 6, 2017). "Ashanti Connects With Ty Dolla $ign for Her Bouncy Single 'Say Less': Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Smith, Trevor (November 5, 2017). "Ashanti and Ty Dolla $ign "Say Less" On Their New Collaboration". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Gore, Sydney (November 30, 2017). "Ashanti Might Hold the Record for Most TRL Visits of All Time". MTV. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Ashanti "Say Less" Official Lyrics & Meaning Verified". Genius. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original on March 25, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "Say Less (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – Single". Apple Music. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ashanti Enlists Ty Dolla $ign for New Single 'Say Less'". Rap-Up. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Listen now: Ashanti and Ty Dolla $ign do all the talking on new track, "Say Less"". ABC News Online. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ashanti Feat. Ty Dolla $ign "Say Less" (WSHH Exclusive – Official Audio)". WorldStarHipHop. November 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Garwood, Bianca (November 6, 2017). "Less is More on Ashanti's Comeback Track, "Say Less"". Ebony. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Ashanti Discusses New Single "Say Less" In Studio". Billboard. December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Mojica, Nick (November 6, 2017). "Ashanti teams up with Ty Dolla Sign for "Say Less" [Listen]". The Boombox. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Marine, Brooke (December 7, 2017). "Ashanti Opens Up About Her Hands-On Approach to Her Own Career and Creating "Ear Candy" Collaborations". W. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Robertson, Darryl (November 6, 2017). "Ashanti Recruits Ty Dolla $ign For New Song, "Say Less"". Vibe. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Miss2Bees (November 6, 2017). "Ashanti Drops new Song Featuring Ty Dolla Sign, 'Say Less'". The Source. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e Jones, Abby (April 6, 2018). "Ashanti Brushes Off All of Her Drama in New 'Say Less' Video Featuring Ty Dolla $ign: Premiere". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Moraski, Lauren (December 8, 2017). "Yes, Ashanti Is Still Here And Ready For You To 'Say Less'". HuffPost. Archived from the original on February 9, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d D-Money (November 6, 2017). "Ashanti & Ty Dolla $ign Aim To Do The Most With 'Say Less'". SoulBounce.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ashanti – Say Less Ft. Ty Dolla $ign". Singersroom. November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ C.M., Emmanuel (November 7, 2017). "Ty Dolla Sign Teams Up With Ashanti on New Song "Say Less"". XXL. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Valentine, Claire (December 23, 2017). "Ashanti is a Woman in Charge". Paper. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Breihan, Tom (November 6, 2017). "Ashanti – "Say Less" (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)". Stereogum. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Cîroc French Vanilla: Ashanti "Say Less"". Cîroc. November 21, 2017. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b D. Infante, Victor (January 14, 2018). "Ashanti, Ja Rule ward off winter in steamy Palladium show". Telegram & Gazette. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Kress, Bryan (December 21, 2017). "Top 20 Billboard Live Performances of 2017 with Rita Ora, Dashboard Confessional, Ashanti & More: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ashanti performs 'Say Less' on Good Day LA". Good Day L.A. May 21, 2018. Archived from the original on June 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Ashanti – Say Less (Official Video) ft. Ty Dolla $ign". Vevo. April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Post, Chantilly (April 6, 2018). "Ashanti & Ty Dolla $ign Drop Off "Say Less" Visuals". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Lobo, Paula (April 6, 2018). "Watch now: Ashanti warns her haters to "Say Less" in new music video". WJBD-FM. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "Video: Ashanti Feat. Ty Dolla $ign – 'Say Less'". Rap-Up. April 6, 2018. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018.
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