Collectables by Ashanti [Clean] [Edited]

Performer: Ashanti
Artist: Paul Wall; Method Man; Ja Rule
Producer: Arizona Slim
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Ashanti (vocals); Free, Ja Rule, Method Man, Paul Wall , Black Child, Caddillac Tah, Merce (rap vocals). Given Ashanti's tenure for Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. label, the R&B star's strong ties to hip-hop are not surprising. Even though Gotti's company softened its image a bit by changing its name to The Inc. Records, Ashanti stayed true to her rap-friendly background, releasing the rhyme-laden COLLECTABLES BY ASHANTI in 2005. Consisting primarily of remixes and previously unreleased tracks, this compilation boasts a legion of gruff-voiced MCs, including Ja Rule, Method Man, Caddillac Tah, and Black Child. As always, however, the expressive singer shines the brightest when carrying her own tunes, as on the gentle, chiming "I Love You" and the beat-laden "I Found It in You." Looking even less legit than the illegit-looking compilation of early recordings released in 2004, Collectables by Ashanti is an official compilation from The Inc released to coincide with the 2005 holiday shopping season. A succinct disc at ten tracks and 40 minutes, it throws together remixes and a handful of new recordings, including the ruggedly sweet "Still on It" (featuring Paul Wall and Method Man), the drama-free "I Love You," and the Chink Santana-produced "Show You" -- which is like a lukewarm scramble of some of her biggest singles. Nothing here will appeal to casual fans, but those who have bought each proper Ashanti album on-sight will be happy to obtain the remixes of "Rain on Me" (with Ja Rule, Charli Baltimore, and Hussein Fatal), "Only U" (with Ja Rule, Caddillac Tah, Merce, and Black Child), "Still Down" (with Caddillac Tah), and "Focus" (with Free). [A clean version of the disc was also made available.] ~ Andy Kellman

Beginning her career as a featured back-up singer on tracks by Jah Rule, Jennifer Lopez, Big Pun, and a host of other Irv Gotti/Murder Inc. projects, Ashanti's solo career exploded upon the release of her self-titled Murder Inc. debut, which topped the Billboard charts the week of its release. Various award nominations and wins later, the singer released CHAPTER II, which also debuted at number one. The juggernaut that was her career slowed just a bit for the release of 2004's CONCRETE ROSE, but film and television work, as well as song writing and producing credits kept her firmly fixed in the spotlight, and solidified her position as one of the most powerful women in hip-hop and R&B.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25