Ashanti - The Declaration

On Ashanti's fourth studio album, The Declaration, which will be released in the U.S. on June 3, 2008, she once again proves that you really don't need strong vocal talent to be a successful singer in America. Ashanti's never been a great singer and likely never will, but because there are so few genuinely good vocalists in R&B these days, even her bland, mediocre voice sounds superior to other modestly talented but successful 'artists' like Cassie, Danity Kane and yes, even Janet. And despite The Declaration being a forgettable, disposable piece of work, it's sure to be a yet another hit album for Ashanti.

Since the start of her career, the masses have loved and will probably continue to love Ashanti's music: she's sold millions of albums globally, and her self-titled debut was even awarded a Grammy in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B Album. But although she's four albums deep into a very successful career as an R&B-pop singer, Ashanti Douglas still isn't a great vocalist. Her voice has remained thin and flat, with little evidence she's tried to step her game.

There's exactly three exceptions to that rule on The Declaration, however: the first is the lead single, the strong, piano-driven power ballad "The Way That I Love You;" the second's a sexy, luscious duet with Robin Thicke called "Things You Make Me Do." And the third's the Channel 7-produced title track, in which she almost - almost - manages to spread her vocal wings a little.

Since she's on the outs with Irv Gotti, the Murder Inc. label head and song producer who discovered her and crafted her into a star, Ashanti's music has turned a stylistic corner. The Declaration, which signifies her newfound creative control, was produced by a wide variety of people. And the collection of big-name producers (Babyface, LT Hutton, Rodney Jerkins and others) steer her away from Irv Gotti's signature hip-hop sound and toward more traditional, instrument-oriented R&B. But the bad news is that if you put lipstick and a wig on an android, its still an android. And that's what Ashanti's voice is like: a soulless, lifeless robot that you can dress up but will never be able to fully bring to life.