If you reside in the DMV area, the My 2000’s Playlist Tour will be a hip-hop event later this month. Acts like T.I., Mase, Fabolous, Mike Jones, Ying Yang Twin, and Ja Rule will perform. The line-up also includes R&B vocalist Ashanti.
I’ll be the first to admit I was never a big fan of the Murder Inc. princess. However, I revisited her first album as a refresher for the concert. A particular song stood out enough to earn a coveted slot on Slow Jam Saturday.
The easy choice is her debut single, the DeBarge sampling “Foolish,” or the Frank White-assisted remix. Irv Gotti knew precisely what he was doing when marketing Ashanti. “Foolish” was released on February 11, 2002. It spent ten weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. However, I decided to go with the album track “Movies.”
Like the majority of the album, Ashanti linked up with producer 7 Aurelius for the production. Her first album sounded modern, with fresh beats and lightly insistent hooks. “Movies” was a perfect example of this formula. It was a gentle mid-tempo R&B track that featured a catchy chorus and lyrics about the power of love. The production was a beautiful blend of organic instrumentation and modern synth sounds.
In retrospect, “Movies” is a song about wanting to experience a passionate, romantic relationship like portrayed in cinema. Ashnati’s lyrics express the singer’s desire to be cherished and adored by her lover and explore the joy of knowing they can be together without worrying about time or the future. The song speaks to the power of love that makes the singer feel like they have been given a special feeling, the same one depicted in movies.
Hearing the song in 2023, I’m surprised Irv didn’t push it as a single. The video premise practically writes itself. While I wasn’t impressed the first time I saw Ashanti perform live two decades ago, I’m looking forward to seeing her this time.
Final Grade: B
“Movies” from Ashanti is available on all streaming platforms.
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.
The ballad was composed by Michael Masser and lyricist Gerry Goffin, and it was first recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1981. Eight years later, Natalie Cole covered the song, shortening the title. It became the fourth single from her twelfth album, “Good to Be Back.”
Braxton’s vocal talent is perfect on the standards “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” However, like any good R&B Christmas album, it is the soulful yuletide bops where Braxton truly shines. The album’s first single, “Snowflakes of Love,” is instrumental of Earl Klugh’s “Now We’re One”. Braxton’s lush vocals encapsulate the warmth and joy of romantic love amidst a wintery backdrop.