The Declaration (The Inc./Universal Motown): B
The fourth studio album from Irv Gotti’s former underling is a solid, if not electrifying start on the path to creative freedom. Ashanti’s vocals aren’t the most captivating, but her style is classy; she easily switches between the woman scorned and the woman in love, while tracks from star producers (LT Hutton, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface) keep her in her comfort zone. Download: “You’re Gonna Miss.”
