The Declaration is probably Ashanti’s most personalised album to date. Not because she’s worked with producers that she’s never worked with before (Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins, Babyface, L.T. Hutton, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael-Cox, etc), but because it’s a lot deeper, or at least the conceptual dialogue for the album title is deep and this is pretty much confirmed in the Intro: “I’ve experienced life; I’ve experienced death, I felt pain I’ve never felt before” - this is what she’s declaring. She’s older, and has experienced a lot since the last album. During the four years she’s been away from the music scene, she’s encountered so much - death, love and heartbreak.

The Way That I Love You, which is the lead single from the album is the first opening cut and entices with it’s infectious chorus and beautiful piano melodies. Lyrically, we’ve heard it all before from Ashanti (Foolish, Rain On Me) - the typical wronged-girlfriend anthem. The beat is catchy but her screaming over the song puts a dampener on the track which had the potential to be beautifully flawless. Nevertheless, this is probably one of Ashanti’s finer musical moments. With the following number Your Gonna Miss, it kind of draws you in with its catchy electronic chorus whilst the Darkchild-produced club banger So Over You catches your ear with its gritty production. The song Girlfriend is reminiscent of oldskool R&B at its finest.

Struggle is an overwhelming mid-tempo ballad which demonstrates how a woman is prepared to fight for her relationship despite it being on the rocks. You could hear the passion in her vocals which is what helps bring the song to life. Things You Make Me Do is a collaboration with Robin Thicke; an advocate of pure sexiness. I was totally enjoying Robin’s falsetto on the midtempo cut, and even Ashanti’s airy vocals added more of a dark but sensual mood to the track - proof that Ashanti can switch up her style of singing. In fact, their vocals flowed effortlessly over the light and sexy R&B number.

Another song that gets an honourable mentions include the pleasant midtempo In These Streets. The Babyface produced ballad Mother sees Ashanti dedicating the track to her mama Tina Douglas. The lyrics are cute and the song is inspirational but it does tend to drag on. Nevertheless, the song is a nice track. That’s not to say the album didn’t have it’s shortcomings. Jermaine Dupri certainly didn’t deliver on Good Good. It definitely has that traditional ‘JD’ stamp written all over it. I mean, it’s not a horrible song but I expected so much from it when I heard the snippet last week. Not only is the song derivative but it could easily have been a rejected cut off Mariah Carey’s last two albums.

Body On Me is a summery uptempo anthem, having Akon on the song just ruins the listening pleasure. I don’t even think I’ve allowed myself to listen to the song all the way through. On the pop ballad Shine, Ashanti is accompanied with the backing vocals of a young choir. Whilst I think the song is cool, I wasn’t at all compelled to listen to it again, although I absolutely love the message behind it, whereas The Declaration track sounded a little too messy for my liking.

For me, The Way That I Love You, So Over You, Girlfriend, Things You Make Me Do, Struggle and In These Streets are clearly the standouts on this album. In a lot of the songs I hear a lot of vocal improvement which is a good thing considering that Ashanti has received a lot of flack for her lack of vocal skills. I think the album was pretty solid, not brilliant but not atrocious. Subject matter I found rather monotonous on few of the songs but you’re only as good as your last hit so, whilst I liked what I heard, the first half of the album is clearly the stronger side. I think she raised her game up from the last album. To be honest, I am not much of an Ashanti fan so I really wasn’t expecting much from this album but I can definitely see myself chilling to this in the car this summer as it has that overall vibe.

Rating: 3/5

R&B singers Ashanti and Jojo attended the Hearst Magazines and Universal Motown “Ultimate Prom” at the Grand Hyatt, May 30, 2008, New York City:

These two stay flocking up the same events. Anyway, they both performed at the event. R&B singer Lloyd also attended. You can view more images by clicking here. I think they both looked amazing especially Ashanti. I am totally feeling their golden glittery dresses, especially Jojo’s. Ashanti had a couple of hit and misses as of late but no one can deny her transformation at yesterday’s event was just fab. I think curly weave suits her the best. The only thing I would suggest is for her to tone down the hot pink lipstick. Other than that, stunning. My album review for The Declaration should be up later.

You’ve seen the performance of when Mariah Carey performed ‘I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time’ at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Japan, and here’s a couple of pics:

Mariah is seen accepting her “Video Vanguard Award”. Her husband Nick Cannon was waiting for her backstage.

Fergie and Nelly were there as well:

They both performed their song ‘Party People’. I’ll post the performance shortly. I’m totally digging that song right now.

Spice Girl Mel B and her husband Stephen Belafonte attended the Spike TV’s 2nd Annual ‘Guys Choice’ Awards in Hollywood last night:

She looked gorgeous from the neck-up. She looks wonderful with straight hair. Her implants look horrible. I thought the whole point of implants was to get them to look as realistic as possible so that you can’t even tell they’re implants. That weird dent in her chest is very telling. I can’t decide who has the worst. Vivicia Fox, Paula Abdul or Mel B. Melanie recently gave her husband Stephen a birthday party to remember in celebration of him turning 33. Mel, who says she’s a tiger in bed handcuffed her hubby while six topless strippers rubbed themselves provocatively against him as she took pictures. I’ve always said their sex life was out of this world.

WIREIMAGES

Check out the full length video premiere of Madonna’s new video ‘Give It To Me’. The song is produced by Pharrell Williams and he also makes a cameo appearance in the video:

A half naked Madonna strutting around in her underwear and shaking her flabby backside into full shot of the camera is not my ideal image. Here we have yet another legend clasping onto any ounce of youth that dried up 25 years ago. As a 50-year-old woman she should act more age-appropriate. I wonder how much men would sleep with her given the chance. That said, the song is kind of hot.

Earlier today, Mariah Carey performed ‘I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time’ from her latest album E=MC² at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2008. The performance went down at Saitama Super Arena on May 31, 2008 in Saitama, Japan:

The 38-year-old also accepted the “Video Vanguard Award” at the show. As for the performance, it was, um, okay. She sounded good but she mimed like 90%. However, she did look amazing. I guess looking hot is compulsary since watching Mariah perform holds the same entertainment value as watching paint dry. Still this is a better single choice than Love Song. Thanks for the performance MC² and DRB.

One of the to-do lists before you die would be to see Michael Jackson do a full on comeback concert. Well, it doesn’t have to be Michael Jackson, but ANY of your favourite legends. MJ fans can cry themselves a river because it seems VERY unlikely that MJ will do another concert again, let alone perform. *weep*

There were reports stating that MJ was planning to do a spectacular Las Vegas showdown but those rumours have been shot down by Las Vegas promoter Jack Wishna: “Sadly, Michael’s incapable of keeping promises, because he hasn’t got the will to even show up anywhere, much less get himself into shape for a world-class performance. He might drop by to wave at guests, or do a dance on top of a limo, but a longterm show? That dream will never come true, I’m afraid”. Looks like his words are hitting close to home as Paula Adbul also confirmed that the King of Pop was set to perform on last week’s American Idol finale. George Michael ended up singing instead because MJ pulled out due to stage fright. How do you feel about MJ not performing again and what does this say about his reported comeback? This news kind of saddens me. As eccentric and weird as the man may be, no one can dispute he’s one of the most amazing performers to walk this Earth. Well, at least we got Whitney Houston but she’s not HALF as intriguing. Oh fucking well.

Rihanna and Chris Brown performed the Umbrella (Cinderella) remix last night at Kanye West’s Glow In The Dark. They performed together at the Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome on May 30th:

Since when has Chris become a permanent guest performer at every show? I guess they gotta find ways to keep as close together as possible since Rihanna’s people are trying to put the ban on their relationship.

Rihanna and Chris Brown performed the Umbrella (Cinderella) remix last night at Kanye West’s Glow In The Dark. They performed together at the Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome on May 30th:

Since when has Chris become a permanent guest performer at every show? I guess they gotta find ways to keep as close together as possible since Rihanna’s people are trying to put the ban on their relationship.

Rihanna and Chris Brown performed the Umbrella (Cinderella) remix last night at Kanye West’s Glow In The Dark. They performed together at the Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome on May 30th:

Since when has Chris become a permanent guest performer at every show? I guess they gotta find ways to keep as close together as possible since Rihanna’s people are trying to put the ban on their relationship.

Leona Lewis was seen taking a break from her hectic promotional schedule. She was seen this week partying it up with her close pal and fellow X-Factor contestant Ashley Mckenzie at Crystal Club in London:

The singer was sporting a hot pink dress and looked great. Leona arrived at the swanky London club just before midnight and stayed until just after 4am. Leona has also become a collaboration magnet for quite a few high profile artists. Diddy has expressed his desire to collaborate with Leona on his next album whilst Whitney Houston is also planning a duet with the 23-year-old chart topper. Leona has also broken many records with album Spirit and single Bleeding Love and now she’s leaving her mark on YouTube. She has recieved millions of hits. The promo for her hit single Bleeding Love has entered the site’s top ten most viewed videos of all time. She is also the only British artist to make it anywhere near the top ten. At the last count, more than 55million people had watched the video for Leona’s No1 single.

Ya’ll remember R&B singer Adina Howard? ‘Freak Like Me/T-Shirt & Panties’ Adina Howard? It’s been a while I know but she was spotted at J’Adore Magazine cover party at Plumm last night alongside Danity Kane singers D. Woods and Aubrey O’Day:

Aubrey was obviously there because she has a feature spread in the latest issue of J’ Adore. Click here to view the photoshoot.

Keri Hilson chilled with her producer Polow Da Don at the R&B Live party in ATL last night:

Something looked a lil off with Ms Hilson but I am glad she is finally releasing that new album of hers.

WENN // WIREIMAGES

Late TLC singer Lisa ‘Lefteye’ Lopes is set to release a new album at the end of the year [READ MORE]

Ray-J is currently contemplating legal action after reports suggested he was kicked out of his Washington D.C. hotel because of his alleged possession of illegal drugs [READ MORE]

Producer Babyface is expecting his third child at 50 years old! [READ MORE]

For the sake of her health, Toni Braxton has decided not to continue with her Vegas show [READ MORE]

Rihanna and Chris Brown’s romance has been banned [READ MORE]

Listen to Bonus Usher track ‘Chivalry’ from Here I Stand [READ MORE]

This morning, Usher performed live at Bryant Park on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series. He performed This Ain’t Sex, Moving Mountains and Love In This Club:

This morning, Usher performed live at Bryant Park on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series. He performed This Ain’t Sex, Moving Mountains and Love In This Club: