Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.

Now, firstly, I’ll address the elephant. As we all know, Ashanti has never been a powerhouse vocalist, which shows on all the cover songs, including “Silent Night,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “This Christmas,” among others. The production of all the cover songs comes across demo versions and is vocally bland. Given where she was at the time successfully, I still don’t know if Irv didn’t opt for a different route, as the original material is decent.

“Christmas Time Again” captures a festive spirit, with Ashanti painting a vivid picture of a snowy holiday landscape. Lyrics like “let the snow begin” and “Christmas time is oh so pretty” highlight the season’s beauty, emphasizing that the joy of Christmas warms even the coldest days.

The spoken interlude invites listeners into Ashanti’s cherished memories of family gatherings and baking with her aunt, reminding us of the importance of creating memorable moments with loved ones during the holiday season.

“Hey Santa” is the next original song, offering a fresh take on “Santa Baby.” This playful ditty captures the joyful and spirited essence of the holiday season, highlighting the wishes and desires that accompany it. It is a fun and upbeat track that showcases the excitement and anticipation of Christmas, particularly from the perspective of someone hoping for sweet treats and material gifts. The song reflects themes of innocence, longing, and the magic of the Christmas season.

“Sharing Christmas” depicts a snowy winter scene that creates a cozy atmosphere for the festivities, evoking nostalgia and warmth. Lines like “We’re baking a turkey and hanging the mistletoe” celebrate holiday traditions and symbolize family bonding. As a classic symbol of romance, Mistletoe emphasizes the theme of love in the holiday spirit.

“Time Of Year” is the lone ballad on the album and serves as a heartfelt reminder of the importance of loved ones during the Christmas season. Ashanti’s lyrics celebrate the connections that bind families together while honoring those who may no longer be present.

Looking back on this project, it’s clear that Irv had dollar signs in his eyes, and that’s the sole reason this project exists. While Ashanti isn’t a knockout singer, the original material here showed her potential, and it’s a shame Gotti didn’t lean more into that angle.

Final Grade: C

“Ashanti’s Christmas” is available on all streaming platforms.