This article was originally published in 2018.
Can you believe 10 years have flown by since Ashanti released her fourth album The Declaration? It was the first time fans had to wait more than a year for her album to drop — but it was for a good reason, though.
The New York native was undergoing several changes in the music industry, while also stretching her talents in other ventures. She found herself switching labels and acting in two films (John Tucker Must Die and Resident Evil: Extinction) as the dust settled with the ongoing investigation of The Inc. Records (formerly Murder Inc.).
Ashanti’s time away from the music spotlight promoted the title of her 2008 release. “The reason why I named the album The Declaration is because this time around, during that four-year gap, I learned so much and I grew up so much,” she stated in a 2008 interview with PR.com. “This time around I handled my project completely on my own. I executive produced the entire album from the behind the scenes to the creative process. So, The Declaration just stands for declaring a sense of independence, a sense of freedom and just a sense of growing up.”
Testing the waters with a few songs, “Switch” and “Hey Baby (After the Club),” Ashanti officially kicked off The Declaration era with “The Way That I Love You” in fall 2007. Shortly after securing her ninth top 5 single (No. 2) on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the album was released on June 3, 2008.
As we glance back at Ashanti’s decade-old album, here are five proclamations made on The Declaration.
“You’re Gonna Miss”
1. The proclamation of self-worth.
Not all love is worth fighting for. Find the strength to move on. Don’t look back or second guess if you made the right decision to leave.
“And when I try to justify what you did wrong / It’s like I’m constantly reminded that I can’t move on.”
“The Way That I Love You”
2. The proclamation of trusting your intuition.
These days, you can’t put anything past your lover. Although we don’t want to believe the ugly truth about our mate, face it head-on. It could be the thing to help heal your heart faster.
“Felt like you were hidin’ something, but I didn’t push it / I didn’t complain or say nothing.”
“Shine”
3. The proclamation of never dimming your light.
No one can take anything from you — especially your light. They might try and dim your bulb so their light can shine bright but always let ‘em know: it’s enough wattage for the both of us.
“They’ll try to take you, try to break you down / Remember you are born to shine.”
“Good Good”
4. The proclamation of sexual confidence.
Confidence starts within. Once you secure self-assurance about yourself (most importantly your body), you can only imagine the fire it will bring to the bedroom. Your mate shouldn’t even think about looking elsewhere if you possess that “good good.”
“Cause when I say I got that pop lock and drop it believe me / If I’m with you, it’s gon’ kill you on the days you don’t see me.”
“Mother”
5. The proclamation to honor thy mother.
A simple act of kindness should be putting a smile on your mother’s face. Yes, sometimes they drive us crazy and tell us the truth when our friends don’t, but the bond is unlike any other. So, hold on to it. Make sure to cherish her (or whomever you look up to as a mother in your life).
“I thank you, and I love you / And I would never place anyone above you.”
Stream Ashanti’s The Declaration below.
