The Declaration

• "The Way That I Love You" was referred to as the real "first single" in press material and media reports.{{cite news|date=March 10, 2008|title=America Loves 'The Way That I Love You,' Brand-New ASHANTI Smash|work=Business Wire|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_March_10/ai_n24381562|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206143912/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_March_10/ai_n24381562|archive-date=2008-12-06}}{{cite news |first=Jayson |last=Rodriguez |title=Ashanti Snaps In TV-Inspired 'The Way That I Love You' Video |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582080/20080221/ashanti.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222085638/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582080/20080221/ashanti.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 22, 2008 |work=MTV News |publisher=MTV Networks |date=February 21, 2008 |access-date=2008-06-07 }}{{cite news|first=Alicia |last=Quarles |title=After a 4-year absence, Ashanti makes a comeback |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_en_mu/music_q_a_ashanti |agency=Associated Press |date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=2008-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609041355/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap_en_mu/music_q_a_ashanti |archive-date=2008-06-09 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Charreah |title=Ashanti: A New Attitude |work=Essence.com |publisher=Essence Communications Inc. |url=http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0,16109,1810655,00.html |access-date=2008-06-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605010227/http://www.essence.com/essence/themix/entertainment/0%2C16109%2C1810655%2C00.html |archive-date=2008-06-05 }} It was released in February 2008 to Urban radio. It was released to digital retailers in March 2008 and to Rhythmic radio in April 2008. It reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Ashanti's first song to reach the top forty since "Only U" in 2004.
• "Good Good" was released to urban radio stations on July 16, 2008.{{cite web | title=®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Rhythmic | website=archive.is | date=2013-07-04 | url=http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07/16/2008&Format=9 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130704035904/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=07/16/2008&Format=9 | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-07-04 | access-date=2021-04-28}} The song contains elements of Elton John's 1974 single "Bennie and the Jets", and has the same melody arrangement as Michael Jackson's "The Girl Is Mine".

• In mid-2007, MTV News reported that the first single from The Declaration was "Switch",{{cite news |author=Shaheem Reid |author2=Bridget Bland |title=Ashanti, Nelly Get Their Beyonce-And-Jay-Z On For New Single 'Switch' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1563789/20070629/ashanti.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704183742/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1563789/20070629/ashanti.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 4, 2007 |work=MTV News |publisher=MTV Networks |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=2008-06-07}} which was produced by Shy Carter and released digitally in the United States on July 24, 2007. It was later reported that "Switch" will not be included on the album's track listing, and that the first single would be "Hey Baby (After the Club)".
• "Hey Baby (After the Club)", featuring Mario Winans, initially replaced "Switch" as the album's lead single.{{cite web|title=New Music: Ashanti f/ Mario Winans – 'Hey Baby (After The Club)'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2007/09/17/new-music-ashanti-f-mario-winans-hey-baby-after-the-club/|publisher=Rap-Up|accessdate=2012-02-19}} It samples Prince and The Revolution's 1984 single "Erotic City"; music reviewers criticized this decision as Sean Combs had already used this sample earlier that year for "Last Night".{{cite web|title=Ashanti - Hey Baby (After The Club) Ft. Mario Winans|url=http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/ashanti-hey-baby-after-the-club/|publisher=DJ Booth|accessdate=2012-02-19}}{{cite web|title=New Song: Ashanti – 'Hey Baby (After The Club)'|url=http://thatgrapejuice.net/2007/09/new-song-ashanti-hey-baby-after-the-club/|publisher=That Grape Juice|accessdate=2012-02-19}} The song peaked at number eighty-seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.{{cite magazine|title=Ashanti - Chart History - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ashanti|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}}|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=2012-02-19}} "Hey Baby (After the Club)" was later replaced by "The Way That I Love You" as The Declaration's official lead single; it was not included on the US editions of the album, but was a bonus track for international releases.
• "Body On Me" was recorded not only for Ashanti's The Declaration, but also for Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles. The track is produced by Akon and Giorgio Tuinfort. It went to number one on Billboard's Hot Videoclip Tracks chart in its first week, becoming the first number one single from Nelly's album.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 52/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-declaration/ashanti|title=The Declaration by Ashanti|via=Metacritic|access-date=August 3, 2021 |language=en}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last1=Kellman |first1=Andy |title=The Declaration – Ashanti {{!}} Reviews{{!}} |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-declaration-mw0000787561 |website=AllMusic |access-date=28 April 2021 |language=en}}

| rev2 = Daily News

| rev2score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last1=Farber |first1=Jim |title=Ashanti declares her confidence with 'The Declaration' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008/06/03/2008-06-03_ashanti_declares_her_confidence_with_the.html |website=Daily News |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605060722/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2008/06/03/2008-06-03_ashanti_declares_her_confidence_with_the.html |archive-date=2008-06-05 |url-status=dead}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = C+{{cite magazine|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|title=The Declaration|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/06/13/declaration/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011081332/https://ew.com/article/2008/06/13/declaration/|archive-date=2008-10-11|date=11 October 2008|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = Newsday

| rev4score = B{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/2.828/ashanti-returns-with-a-new-cd-the-declaration-1.882377|title=Ashanti returns with a new CD, 'The Declaration'|first=Glenn|last=Gamboa|date=May 28, 2008|accessdate=August 3, 2021}}

| rev5 = Now

| rev5score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite web|first=Benjamin |last=Boles |url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/discs.cfm?content=163361 |title=Disc Review |access-date=August 3, 2021 |work=Now |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611105023/https://nowtoronto.com/music/discs.cfm?content=163361 |archive-date=June 11, 2008 }}

| rev6 = Rolling Stone

| rev6score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine |last1=Hoard |first1=Christian |title=The Declaration : Ashanti : Review |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/20949198/review/20961596/the_declaration |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530202541/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/20949198/review/20961596/the_declaration |archive-date=2008-05-30 |date=12 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}

| rev7 = Slant Magazine

| rev7score = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/ashanti-the-declaration/|title=Review: Ashanti, The Declaration|first=Sal|last=Cinquemani|website=Slant Magazine |date=June 2008 }}

| rev8 = Toronto Star

| rev8score = {{rating|2|4}}{{cite web |last1=Infantry |first1=Ashante |title=Ashanti: The Declaration - thestar.com |url=http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/436341 |website=thestar.com |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607213410/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/436341 |archive-date=2011-06-07 |url-status=dead}}

| rev9 = USA Today

| rev9score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Steve |title=Listen Up: Ashanti's solo turn, Dr. John's fury - USATODAY.com |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2008-06-02-listen-up_N.htm |website=usatoday30.usatoday.com |access-date=28 April 2021 }}

| rev10 = Vibe

| rev10score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |last1=Odum |first1=Shanel |title=Ashanti, "The Declaration" |url=http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2008/06/ashanti_the_declaration/ |website=vibe.com |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608051428/http://www.vibe.com/music/revolutions/2008/06/ashanti_the_declaration/ |archive-date=2008-06-08 |url-status=dead}}

}}

The Declaration received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 52, based on 11 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. Dan Gennoe of Yahoo! Music UK felt that the album was "surprisingly short of anything even approaching a commercial hit [but] even without instant hooks to grab on to, it's amazingly compelling." He called The Declaration a "supremely subtle and sophisticated record" as well as "the best album of Ashanti's career."{{Cite web|last=Gennoe|first=Dan|date=June 23, 2008|title=Yahoo! Music Album Review - Ashanti The Declaration|url=http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/080623/33/21z8u.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080628131007/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/080623/33/21z8u.html|archive-date=2008-06-28|website=uk.launch.yahoo.com}} Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine felt that while "past releases have displayed an ostensible desire to follow in the melodramatic steps of Mary J. Blige and much of Declaration continues in that quest," it also "aims to prove that Ashanti is indeed growing up."

AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found that "even though this album marks a nearly complete break from The Inc., it's very much in line with what came before it, hardly a major departure [...] This is neither a great nor a poor Ashanti album. It's decent, just like the rest of them." Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly wrote that The Declaration "simply doesn't make much of a statement, and its high point – the prettily emotive ballad "The Way That I Love You" – isn't enough to unseat the Beyoncés and Mary J.'s of the world." Rolling Stone{{'}}s Christian Hoard thought that Ashanti "is still doing the diva-by-numbers thing, alternating between angry-at-her-man anthems and lovey pleasantry [...] But even with A-list producers like Babyface, Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Jerkins, the beats stick to straightforward bounce or subdued ballads. And Ashanti doesn't offer any more personality."

Shanel Odum of Vibe gave a mixed review to the album, writing that "her voice is pleasant if sometimes uninspiring, but on soulful songs like "You’re Gonna Miss," the pain in her sweet-as-Smarties voice is definite. But even with all the emo-passion, nearly half of this album is lukewarm." Now writer Benjamin Boles found that it's "all too evident why The Declaration was delayed. Producer LT Hutton is behind most of these beats, and it’s easy to see why he hasn’t had a hit in years. A few bigger names drop in (Nelly and Akon might as well be sleepwalking here), but none sound like they’re putting much into their appearances. Ashanti’s still got a decent voice, but she’s badly in need of a better songwriting and production team." The Boston Globe remarked that "after four years away, Ashanti declares that she's back, but this middling, familiar set of songs is unlikely to reclaim her spotlight."{{Cite web|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2008/06/10/she_declared_but_didnt_commit/|title=She declared but didn't commit|work=Boston Globe|date=June 10, 2008|accessdate=August 3, 2021}}

The Declaration debuted and peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200, selling 86,000 copies in its first week of release.{{Cite magazine|last=Hasty|first=Katie|date=11 June 2008|title=Disturbed Scores Third Straight No. 1 Album|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045117/disturbed-scores-third-straight-no-1-album|access-date=2021-04-28|magazine=Billboard}} It marked Ashanti's lowest opening sales for a regular studio album to then and was a considerable decline from her previous effort Concrete Rose, which had opened to sales of 254,000 units in 2004. On the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart the album debuted at number two where it spent a total of 34 consecutive weeks on the chart.{{Cite magazine|title=Ashanti - Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ashanti/chart-history/blp/|access-date=January 28, 2023|magazine=Billboard}} By October 2008, The Declaration had sold 246,000 copies.{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=October 31, 2008|title=Ask Billboard: Ashanti, Nelly, Chate Moore, Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin, BlackGirl|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ask-billboard-ashanti-nelly-chate-moore-donna-summer-aretha-franklin-blackgirl-1043619/|access-date=January 28, 2023|magazine=Billboard}}

{{Track listing

|extra_column = Producer(s)

|title1 = Intro

|writer1 = {{hlist|Seven Aurelius}}

|extra1 = {{hlist|Channel 7}}

|length1 = 1:05

|title2 = The Way That I Love You

|writer2 = {{hlist|Ashanti Douglas|L.T. Hutton}}

|extra2 = {{hlist|Hutton|Douglas}}

|length2 = 4:27

|title3 = You're Gonna Miss

|writer3 = {{hlist|Douglas|Hutton}}

|extra3 = {{hlist|Hutton|Douglas}}

|length3 = 3:14

|title4 = So Over You

|writer4 = {{hlist|Douglas|Rodney Jerkins}}

|extra4 = {{hlist|Jerkins}}

|length4 = 3:59

|title5 = Struggle

|writer5 = {{hlist|Douglas|Hutton}}

|extra5 = {{hlist|Hutton}}

|length5 = 4:34

|title6 = Girlfriend

|writer6 = {{hlist|Douglas|Hutton}}

|extra6 = {{hlist|Hutton}}

|length6 = 3:30

|title7 = Things You Make Me Do

|note7 = featuring Robin Thicke

|writer7 = {{hlist|Douglas|Thicke|Aurelius|Frenchie Vein|Chad Beatz|Keith Biz}}

|extra7 = {{hlist|Channel 7|Beats{{ref|a|[a]}}|Keith Biz{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

|length7 = 4:28

|title8 = In These Streets

|writer8 = {{hlist|Douglas|Theron Feemster}}

|extra8 = {{hlist|Neff-U}}

|length8 = 4:24

|title9 = Good Good

|writer9 = {{hlist|Douglas|Jermaine Dupri|Manuel Seal}}

|extra9 = {{hlist|Dupri|Seal{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

|length9 = 3:36

|title10 = Body on Me

|note10 = featuring Nelly & Akon

|writer10 = {{hlist|Douglas|Cornell Haynes|Aliaume Thiam}}

|extra10 = {{hlist|Akon}}

|length10 = 3:20

|title11 = Mother

|writer11 = {{hlist|Douglas|Kenneth Edmonds}}

|extra11 = {{hlist|Babyface}}

|length11 = 5:10

|title12 = Shine

|writer12 = {{hlist|Douglas|Diane Warren}}

|extra12 = {{hlist|Peter Stengaard|Warren{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

|length12 = 3:40

|title13 = The Declaration

|writer13 = {{hlist|Douglas|Aurelius|Yinon Yahel}}

|extra13 = {{hlist|Channel 7|Yahel}}

|length13 = 3:55

| total_length = 49:33

}}

{{Track listing

|headline = United States iTunes Store and international digital bonus track

|extra_column = Producer(s)

|title14 = Why

|writer14 = {{hlist|Douglas||Jim Beanz}}

|extra14 = {{hlist|Beanz}}

|length14 = 4:32

| total_length = 54:05

}}

{{Track listing

|headline = United Kingdom bonus track

|extra_column = Producer(s)

|title14 = Hey Baby (After the Club)

|note14 = featuring Mario Winans

|writer14 = {{hlist|Douglas|Aurelius|Winans}}

|extra14 = {{hlist|Aurelius|Winans}}

|length14 = 4:30

| total_length = 54:03

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} denotes Co-Producer
• {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} denotes Additional Producer

Credits are taken from the album's liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=The Declaration|publisher=The Inc.; Universal Motown|year=2008}}

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Seven Aurelius – producer, vocals (background)
• Chad Beat – producer, programming, vocals (background)
• Keith Bizz – producer, programming
• Paul Boutin – engineer, mixing
• Sandy Brummels – art direction, creative director
• Channel 7 – engineer, Instrumentation, producer, vocals (background)
• Mike Donaldson – engineer
• Jermaine Dupri – producer
• Kenneth Edmonds – composer, drums, guitar, keyboards, producer
• Theron Feemster – producer
• Mark "Exit" Goodchild – engineer
• John Horesco IV – engineer
• Bob Horn – engineer
• L.T. Hutton – composer
• Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins – producer
• Khris Kellow – keyboards
• Christopher Kornmann – art direction, design
• Sam Lobue II – engineer
• Mario Lucy – engineer
• John Marie – mixing
• Nelly – primary artist
• Eddy C. Richardson – a&R
• Andros Rodriguez – engineer
• Matthew Rolston – photography
• Gillian Russell – A&R
• Manuel Seal, Jr. – producer
• Peter Stengaard – engineer, instruments, producer, programming
• Aliaume Thiam – Instrumentation, producer, programming
• Diane Warren – executive producer (track 12)
• James M. Wisner – engineer
• Legal [Legal Representation For Ashanti] – Stephan Dweck, William Archer
• Legal [Legal Representation For Universal Music Group] – Jerry Juste, Michael Reinert
• Management [Business Management For Ashanti] – Jerome Leventhal
• Management [Personal Management For Ashanti] – Momanger, Tina Y. Douglas
• Marketing [Marketing For Universal Music Group] – Shanti Das
• Photography By – Matthew Rolston

{{div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{reflist}}

{{Ashanti}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Declaration, The}}

Category:2008 albums

Category:Albums produced by Akon

Category:Albums produced by Jermaine Dupri

Category:Albums produced by L.T. Hutton

Category:Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins

Category:Albums produced by Theron Feemster

Category:Ashanti (singer) albums

Category:Universal Motown Records albums