Ashanti Douglas' debut album, Ashanti, was released on April 2. Along with more than 500,000 other people, I bought her CD within the first week. Because of the large number of sales, the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts. Her success is due mainly to the large amount of exposure she has had lately. 

          Ashanti's voice has been featured on numerous Murder Inc. tracks such as "Just Like A Thug" and "Pov City Anthem" by Cadillac Tah, "The Inc." by Ja Rule, and "Justify My Love" by Vita. She also worked on "How We Roll" with the late Big Pun. A clip from a few of those tracks appear on the intro to her album. Two clips are from her best known guest appearances on Ja Rule's "Always On Time" and Fat Joe's "What's Luv?" Those two songs and her first single, "Foolish," made her the first artist since the Beatles to have three top ten singles at the same time. Due to her popularity, Ashanti was released a few weeks earlier than originally planned. 

           By the time I bought her album, I was already sick of hearing "Foolish." Lately BET, MTV, and most R&B radio stations have been playing her single more than enough. Radio stations are also playing "Unfoolish," the remix of "Foolish," featuring the Notorious B.I.G. Both tracks sample Biggie's "One More Chance Remix." After skipping the first song, I listened to "Happy," which is her next single. The executive producer of her album, Irv Gotti, will be directing the video in the end of April. The more I listen to the song, the less I enjoy it. The beat is too slow and the chorus isn't very catching. The best song on the album comes next. "Leaving" is part 2 of "Always On Time" featuring Ja Rule. They both have the same beat, but the lyrics are completely different. I also really like "Scared," featuring Irv Gotti. It pretty much sounds like every other R&B ballad on the radio. "Baby" is also a great track. It has a pleasantly bouncy beat. The last track on the album has a slightly different style. "Thank You" is a beautiful accapella song. It really accents how great her voice truly is. 

          Overall this is a good CD. Unlike most R&B albums, it isn't overloaded with tracks, and most of the ones that did make it on are enjoyable. I like the way she takes a hip-hop beat and turns it into a sweet ballad. Her style reminds me of Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans. If you enjoy either of those artists, or Ashanti's previous singles, I think you would like this album.

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