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! scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom
! scope="row" rowspan="2"|United Kingdom
| Digital download<ref name="Amazon UK Digital">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Braveheart-Explicit-Ashanti/dp/B00IK6PM2W/ |title=Braveheart [Explicit&#93;: Ashanti: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2014-04-05}}</ref>
| Digital download<ref name="Amazon UK Digital">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Braveheart-Explicit-Ashanti/dp/B00IK6PM2W/ |title=Braveheart [Explicit&#93;: Ashanti: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=2014-04-05}}</ref>
| rowspan="3"| eOne Music
| rowspan="2"|eOne Music
|-
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| March 24, 2014
| March 24, 2014
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*CD
*CD
*digital download}}
*digital download}}
|[[JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment|Victor]]
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Revision as of 07:06, 20 February 2021

Braveheart
Studio album by
Ashanti
ReleasedMarch 4, 2014 (2014-03-04)
RecordedFebruary 2010 – 2014
GenreR&B
Length52:29
Label
Producer
Ashanti chronology
A Wonderful Christmas with Ashanti
(2014) 		Braveheart
(2014)
Singles from Braveheart
  1. "Never Should Have"
    Released: March 25, 2013
  2. "I Got It"
    Released: November 26, 2013
  3. "Early in the Morning"
    Released: October 14, 2014

Braveheart is the sixth studio album by American singer Ashanti, released on March 4, 2014, by Ashanti's independent record label Written Entertainment. This was her first studio album to be released in six years, with her last studio album having been 2008's The Declaration. It was also her first release since leaving Murder Inc Records.

"Never Should Have" was used in the season 7 finale of the TV show Army Wives, which Ashanti starred in. On November 26, 2013, Ashanti released "I Got It", featuring Rick Ross in support of the album. French Montana, Jeremih, Rick Ross and Beenie Man are all featured on the album too. Upon release, the album garnered favorable reviews, with music critics describing Braveheart's sound as an "evolution of R&B" and praising the themes of empowerment, but criticizing the romantic clichés and lack of interesting moments on the album. On the charts, Braveheart opened at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming Ashanti's fifth consecutive top-ten album, as well as her first Independent Albums chart topper. It also debuted in the top-thirty of the UK R&B Albums Chart and top-forty of the UK Indie Albums Chart. "Braveheart" is primarily an R&B album with electro, trap, and urban pop influences.

Background

On June 3, 2008, Ashanti released her fourth album The Declaration,[1] which spawned the singles "The Way That I Love You", "Body on Me" (with Akon & Nelly) and "Good Good". The first peaked within the top-forty on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Body on Me" peaked at number forty-two; "Good Good" managed to reach the top-forty on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. These singles became the lowest charting among Ashanti's career thus far.[2][3] While The Declaration peaked at number six and sold 86,000 copies in its first week, Concrete Rose (2004) reached number seven with 254,000 copies sold.[4] The Declaration became her first album to not to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[5] Just under a year later in May 2009 Irv Gotti, the president of Ashanti's label Murder Inc., told MTV News that Ashanti's affiliation with the label was over. He said "The relationship has run its course. The chemistry of what's needed — we're in two totally different places. You're talking to somebody that took her and shaped and molded her and put her out there for the world, and it blew up. We [hold the record] for the [fastest] selling debut by a female R&B artist — 503 [thousand]. We did it! My views and philosophies and her views and philosophies are not meeting up."[6]

On December 15, 2011, "The Woman You Love" featuring American rapper Busta Rhymes was unveiled as the album's lead single and was released for digital download a day later.[7][8] Trent Fitzgerald of Popcrush wrote "This song is a great start for Ashanti" and expressed great interest in "what she is going to bring in 2012 now that she is an independent woman".[9] The video premiered on BET's 106 & Park on March 13, 2012, and peaked at number 5 on April 23, 2012.[10] "The Woman You Love" debuted at number ninety-seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the week of January 7, 2012.[11] Three weeks later the song re-entered at number ninety-five for the week of January 28, 2012.[12] An "R&B Mix" of the song, sans Busta Rhymes, was released on February 14, 2012.[13] "The Woman You Love" peaked at number fifty-nine.[14] "The Woman You Love" was excluded from the final album track list.

Production

In February 2010, Ashanti begun work in recording studios for a brand new album,[15] and in December the same year, Ashanti confirmed that fans could expect new music in 2011.[16] In July 2011, a promo picture was released announcing that new music was on the way and a brand new single was due in August 2011.[17] On July 26, 2011, Ashanti announced that her fifth album would be the first to be independently released via her own newly established record label, Written Entertainment.[18] Details of the label and distribution came out in December, when it was unveiled that Written Entertainment would be independently distributed worldwide through eOne Music.[19][20] In a press release, the President of eOne Music, Alan Grunblatt said: "eOne is proud to have a partnership with Ashanti and her label Written Entertainment. Ashanti truly has the independent entrepreneurial attitude that eOne was built on, and we're thrilled to be working with her."[21] Ashanti added, "I'm so excited to have my own record label, Written Entertainment. With eOne as my distributor, I feel that their innovative and ambitious approach to the music industry, really gives my label a worldwide presence. They have the top radio people in the business and are hungry to win! The more I learned the business the more I knew this is what I wanted. Ownership is so important. As a business woman this was a great move for me!"[19]

During an interview on 106 & Park, Ashanti stated that there would be two collaborations on the album, one with a male vocalist and one with a female vocalist; Boombox later revealed that the male artist was R. Kelly and the female was Keyshia Cole.[22] Ashanti worked with R. Kelly ("That's What We Do"), Rico Love ("Perfect So Far"), and Keyshia Cole ("Woman to Woman").[23] In total, Ashanti recorded sixty songs for the album.[24]

Title and artwork

In an interview with Power 99 FM in Los Angeles, Ashanti explained how the Oscar-winning film Braveheart inspired her album title. "The metaphor that I took was basically in the movie you have the Europeans, you have the soldiers from London and the U.K.," she said. "They have the big horses, they have the shields, the guns, the weapons... They're all armored up. And then you have the Scots. They're all raggedy, homemade weapons, and paint on their faces. It's not an even playing ground, so I feel like with the [major labels], they're bossed up. They have the big engine and all the artists signed to them and with the indies, it's depending. It's homemade, it's homegrown. It's a lesser engine. So the metaphor I was using was being brave and putting your blood and guts into it and fighting passionately to win."[25] The album's artwork was released on March 22, 2012. The artwork was described as "The warrior princess strikes a bold pose on the dramatic cover art."[25] The image used is a screenshot from the music video for "The Woman You Love"; it was later revealed on April 13, 2013, that Ashanti flew out to Atlanta to shoot a brand new artwork with photographer Robert Ector.[26] In January 2014, the singer unveiled the brand-new album artwork on her official Instagram account.[27]

Composition

Sound and influence

Ashanti spoke on the influences of the album, also explaining how the Oscar-winning film Braveheart inspired her album title. "The metaphor that I took was basically in the movie you have the Europeans, you have the soldiers from London and the U.K.," she said. "They have the big horses, they have the shields, the guns, the weapons... They're all armored up. And then you have the Scots. They're all raggedy, homemade weapons, and paint on their faces. It's not an even playing ground, so I feel like with the [major labels], they're bossed up. They have the big engine and all the artists signed to them and with the indies, it's depending. It's homemade, it's homegrown. It's a lesser engine. So the metaphor I was using was being brave and putting your blood and guts into it and fighting passionately to win."[23]

Songs and lyrics

The album opens with a monologue introduction spoken by Ashanti in which she says; "A lot of people counted me out and that feeds my hunger and ignites my passion to continue my journey, I will continue to thrive, continue to prosper, I will continue to be brave. I am Braveheart."[28] "She Can't" was produced by Mansur, which was described as a sexy mid-tempo number with a chaotic beat. "Never Should Have", also produced by Mansur, sees the singer cooing over a former lover she now regrets over a marching band-driven beat.[29] Rico Love co-wrote the guitar-laden track "Perfect So Far".[29]

Promotion and release

Ashanti performed "The Woman You Love" live on Good Morning America on February 13, 2012,[30] and also performed the song on April 17, 2012, as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[31] Over a year later, in June 2013, Ashanti took to the stage of Marie to perform "Never Should Have" live for the first time.[32] "Never Should Have" along with snippets of "She Can't" and "I Got It" (featuring Future) all featured on DJ Ty Boogie's Str8 RnB pt. 6 mixtape, hosted by Ashanti.[33] On July 30, 2013, the date BraveHeart was supposed to be released, Ashanti confirmed that the album would now be released in September 2013. Via her Instagram account she posted a new promotional picture and said, "Hey y'all! So Braveheart is NOT coming out today we have clearances & legalities to take of... It costs to be the boss!!!".[34] The album was then slated for release in early 2014, preceded by the single "I Got It" featuring rapper Rick Ross.[35] Originally set for a February 18 release,[36][37] the album was released on March 4, 2014.[38][39]

Singles

According to Ashanti's website, On March 25, 2013, a brand new song titled "Never Should Have" was released for digital download.[40] The official music video was filmed in March 2013 by director Sanji.[41] The song impacted US Rhythmic and Urban radio on April 29, 2013.[42][43] After it was announced that the album was pushed back from July 30, 2013, Ashanti announced that two exclusive remixes, The JButtah and AllStyle Remixes of "Never Should Have" would be released and promoted to radio stations.[44] Despite not peaking in any US chart, "Never Should Have" won Ashanti a 2013 Soul Train Music Award for Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance.[45] The album's next single "I Got It" featuring Rick Ross, was made available for purchase via iTunes on November 26, 2013.[35][46] It was sent to US urban contemporary radio stations on January 28, 2014.[47] On February 20, 2014, Rap-Up confirmed that "First Real Love" would be the album's next music video.[48] However, in April 2014, during an interview with Mike Wass for Idolator, Ashanti said she was going with "Early in the Morning" featuring French Montana as the album's next single after its skyrocketing performance on the US iTunes R&B Chart.[49]

In July 2014, Ashanti announced that future official singles from Braveheart would be voted on by fans.[50]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[51]
HipHopDX[52]
Rolling Stone(favorable)[53]
USA Today[54]

Upon its release, BraveHeart was met with generally positive from music critics. Jon Reyes of HipHopDX gave the album three out of five stars, saying "Braveheart has a few of those moments that demonstrate sonic evolution and connectedness. Though it is concise and cohesive, more than any of Ashanti's albums, it's still marred with glimpses of wanted grandiosity at the expense of artistic revelation."[52] Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album four out of five stars, saying "Although it took longer to complete than Ashanti, Chapter II, and Concrete Rose combined, Braveheart doesn't sound like it. More importantly, The Declaration's lack of success – relative to those previous albums – doesn't seem to have changed Ashanti's direction one bit."[51] At USA Today, Elysa Gardner rated the album two-and-a-half stars out of four, stating that "Ashanti defies and succumbs to romantic clichés, her piquant soprano alternately teasing and sulking, lashing out and standing firm."[54]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 28,000 copies in the United States.[55]

Track listing

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" / "Braveheart"
5:23
2."Nowhere"
3:02
3."Runaway"
  • Douglas
  • King
  • JeanOlivier
  • James Brown
  • Samuel Barnes
  • James Smith
  • Daniels
  • Lynne Collins
  • Slater
3:10
4."Count"
2:53
5."Early in the Morning" (featuring French Montana)
DJ Clue4:07
6."3 Words"
  • Douglas
  • Hutton
L.T. Hutton3:23
7."Love Games" (featuring Jeremih)Timothy Bullock 4:12
8."Scars"
  • Douglas
  • Hutton
  • Randolph
  • Hutton
  • Randolph[a]
5:49
9."Never Should Have"
  • Douglas
  • Zafr
Zafr3:58
10."She Can't"
  • Douglas
  • Zafr
Zafr3:44
11."Don't Tell Me No"
  • Douglas
  • India Boodram
  • Kesia Hollins
  • Jazmyn Boodram
  • Zafr
Zafr3:49
12."I Got It" (featuring Rick Ross)
L.T. Hutton4:06
13."First Real Love" / "Outro" (featuring Beenie Man)
  • Teetimus
  • Greene
4:53
iTunes Store / Japan edition bonus tracks[56][57]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Perfect So Far"
  • Love
  • Medor
4:51
15."Never too Far Away"
  • Douglas
  • Hutton
L.T. Hutton5:25
Target bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
14."Bonafide Survivor"
Campbell3:50
15."RIP"
  • Douglas
  • Alan Cameron
  • Marvin D. Floyd
  • Cameron
  • Floyd
4:12
Total length:1:00:33
Notes
  • ^[a] denotes co-producer
  • ^[b] denotes vocal producer
  • "Runaway" features an interpolation of "Put It on the Line", written by James Brown and Gloria Lyn Collins. It also contains interpolations of "I Shot Ya", as written by Brown, Collins, Jean Claude Olivier and James Todd Smith.[58]
  • Sample and producers credits taken from album liner.[58] Writing credits taken from Universal Music Publishing, ASCAP Repertoire or BMI Repertoire.[59]

Charts

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United States[38][39] March 4, 2014
United Kingdom Digital download[65] eOne Music
March 24, 2014 CD[66]
Japan[56] March 26, 2014
  • CD
  • digital download
 Victor

References

  1. ^ "Ashanti and Nelly Get New Release Dates". Rap-Up.com. January 24, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  2. ^ "Ashanti - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "Ashanti - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  4. ^ "Disturbed Scores Third Straight No. 1 Album". Billboard. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  5. ^ "Irv Gotti on Ashanti: 'I'm Gonna Drop Her'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  6. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 7, 2009). "Irv Gotti Says He's Dropping Ashanti From The Inc". MTV News. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  7. ^ "New Music: Ashanti f/ Busta Rhymes – 'The Woman You Love'". Rap-Up.com. December 14, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  8. ^ "The Woman You Love (feat. Busta Rhymes) - Single by Ashanti". iTunes. December 16, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ Fitzgerald, Trent (December 15, 2011). "Ashanti, 'The Woman You Love' Feat. Busta Rhymes – Song Review". Popcrush. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  10. ^ "106 & Park 04/23 | BET's 106 & Park Countdown". C0untd0wn.com. April 24, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  11. ^ "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  12. ^ "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  13. ^ "The Woman You Love (R&B Mix) - Single by Ashanti". iTunes. February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  14. ^ "A Tribute to the Ever Beautiful, Miss Ashanti". Teamashanti.Com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  15. ^ "Ashanti Shines Bright in Hollywood". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  16. ^ "Ashanti Is a Sight to See at 'Tourist' Premiere". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  17. ^ "Ashanti Heats Up the Desert in New Promo Pic". Rap-Up.com. July 26, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
  18. ^ "Ashanti Shares Laughs with Lil Wayne". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Ashanti Announces New Record Deal". Rap-Up.com. December 15, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  20. ^ "Ashanti Announces New Record Deal and Upcoming Album". Vibe. December 15, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  21. ^ "Ashanti Announces New Record Deal". The Urban Daily. December 15, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  22. ^ "Ashanti Talks 'Braveheart,' Owning Her Own Label on '106 & Park'". Rap-Up.com. March 14, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  23. ^ a b "Ashanti Dishes on Album Title, Keyshia Cole Duet, & 'Coach Carter 2'". Rap-Up.com. March 15, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  24. ^ "Ashanti's 'BraveHeart': Album Review". Idolator.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  25. ^ a b "Album Cover: Ashanti – 'BraveHeart'". Rap-Up.com. March 22, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  26. ^ "Ashanti shooting new album artwork with Robert Ector this weekend!". Writtenbyashanti.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  27. ^ Copsey, Robert (January 8, 2014). "Ashanti unveils new album BraveHeart artwork, confirms release date". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  28. ^ "Ashanti 'Braveheart' Album Stream". Rap-Up.com. February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  29. ^ a b Georgette Cline (March 7, 2012). "Ashanti Album Listening: Title Is Film-Inspired, R. Kelly Collaborates, Songs Center on Love". The Boombox. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  30. ^ "Ashanti To Perform On Good Morning America". Ashantithisisme.com. February 2, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  31. ^ Bené Viera (April 18, 2012). "Ashanti Turns Up the Heat with New Look in Jimmy Kimmel Performance". Vh1.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  32. ^ "Ashanti Performs 'Never Should Have' on 'Marie'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  33. ^ "@DJTYBOOGIE1 - Str8 Rnb Pt6- Hosted By Ashanti Hosted by DJTYBOOGIE // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  34. ^ Leonard, Kato (July 30, 2013). "Ashanti Delays 'Braveheart' Album". LoudMusic247. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  35. ^ a b "New Music: Ashanti Feat. Rick Ross 'I Got It'". Vibe. November 26, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  36. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (December 28, 2013). "2014 music preview: Best of the rest". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  37. ^ "BraveHeart". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Ashanti's 'Braveheart' Album Gets New Artwork, Release Date". Huffington Post. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  39. ^ a b "Ashanti Unveils New 'BraveHeart' Cover, Release Date". Vibe magazine. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  40. ^ "Never Should Have - Single by Ashanti". Itunes. March 25, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  41. ^ "Ashanti "Never Should Have" (Sanji, dir.)". VideoStatic. May 31, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  42. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Rhythmic". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. April 29, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  43. ^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: Urban". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. April 29, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  44. ^ "Ashanti Releases "Never Should Have" Remixes Following Album Delay". Singersroom. July 11, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  45. ^ "Congratulations As Ashanti Wins Soul Train Award". Ashanti This Is Me. November 15, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  46. ^ "I Got It (feat. Rick Ross) - Single by Ashanti". iTunes. November 26, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  47. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases | R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  48. ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2014/02/20/new-music-ashanti-f-beenie-man-first-real-love/
  49. ^ http://www.idolator.com/7513139/ashanti-interview-braveheart-independent-next-single
  50. ^ http://www.hitfix.com/news/ashanti-to-iggy-azalea-hey-i-did-it-first-plus-prepping-video-with-french-montana
  51. ^ a b Andy Kellman. "Braveheart – Ashanti". AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  52. ^ a b Reyes, Jon. "Ashanti – Braveheart". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  53. ^ Dave DiMartino (March 4, 2014). "The Cat In The Hat Comes Back". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  54. ^ a b Gardner, Elysa (March 3, 2014). "Listen Up: Other notable releases". USA Today. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  55. ^ "Rick Ross Rules With Fifth No. 1 Album On Billboard 200". Billboard. August 18, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  56. ^ a b "Braveheart : Ashanti | HMV ONLINE - VICP-65168 [English Site]". Hmv.co.jp. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  57. ^ "Braveheart (Deluxe Edition) by Ashanti". Itunes. October 13, 1980. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  58. ^ a b Ashanti (2014). Braveheart. [Album Liner Credits]. Written Entertainment (distributed by eOne).
  59. ^ Writing credits for Braveheart
  60. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  61. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  62. ^ "Ashanti Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  63. ^ "Ashanti Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  64. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  65. ^ "Braveheart [Explicit]: Ashanti: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  66. ^ "Braveheart: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
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