The Independent Student Newspaper of St. John's University

The Torch

The Independent Student Newspaper of St. John's University

The Torch

The Independent Student Newspaper of St. John's University

The Torch

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Ashanti’s ‘Brave’ fifth album

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. So hell, meet R&B diva Ashanti.The 33- year old songstress is letting it be known that she is heartbroken and on the road to recovery in her fifth-studio album “BraveHeart.” It seems to be an unofficial testament to her troubled relationship with rapper, Nelly.

Nearly five years since her last album release, fans have been patiently waiting for this moment since she began recording in 2009.

With the first single “Nothing Should Have” released almost a year ago,fans were beside themselves when Ashanti began to make promo rounds for her highly anticipated album.

Opening the album with a track titled “Intro” as if it was still 1993, the singer talked briefly about how the world “counted her out.”

Getting really personal with fans, she went on to discuss the meaning of the title of her new album telling all who will listen that she will “continue to thrive, continue to prosper, and continue to be brave.”

The first song on the album made it easy to forget the brave woman in the intro as Ashanti belted out a smooth tune about she was not going “Nowhere.”

The opening track basically set the tone for the entire album as “Runaway” and “Scars”, two strong ballads, were heavy hitters having lyrics filled with heartache and pain.

The singer chose these two songs to show her vulnerability as she opened up and shared details about her hopes for a home in the hills and matching Mercedes Benzs with Nelly.

Maintaining her sexy, cool and crazy energy, the veteran vocalist had hot tracks such as “Count” and “Early in the Morning” featuring French Montana which  were extremely fun and flirty.

Although the tracks lack an upbeat tempo, the catchy, overly sexual lyrics make them lovable.

Just when things began to be all about Nelly, Ashanti surprised listeners with a few tracks like “Love Games” featuring Jeremih and “3 Words” which were both sultry and sweet, making them very easy to sing along to.

Towards the end of the album, listening to Ashanti whine became very annoying. A few tracks on the album “She Can’t” and “Don’t Tell Me” were songs that people would expect from Taylor Swift.

Although America is just about done with T. Story’s antics, no one wants to hear a woman over thirty years old  carry on about a man whom she is no longer with.

Fortunately, things picked up and the entire mood of the album shifted to the final stages of the breakup.

Now that she was done telling him how she hurt, she was now ready to go out and dance with her girls in the album’s second single “I Got It” featuring Rick Ross.

The last song on the album, “First Real Love,” a reggae tune featuring Beenie Man proved that if anything, Ashanti was consistent. However good or bad the album it was dedicated to a feeling that everyone knows all too well; love.

Although full of heart and passion throughout the album, it was clear the songstress had mistaken the word brave for broken.

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About the Contributor
Briawnna Jones, Entertainment Editor
Briawnna is a junior communications major who intends to bring student life to lifestyle.
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