Chapter II - Ashanti

CHAPTER II is a smooth follow-up to Ashanti's intr

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Music details

Artist(s): Ashanti
Genre: R&B
Label: Def Jam
Parental Advisory: No
Edited Version: No
Release Date: 07/01/2003

Parents need to know

The liner notes open up to a centerfold featuring Ashanti in a white bikini. Parents can take this as a hint of the musical content inside: stylish, attractive, insistently sexual.

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Life seems good or bad, depending on the quality of sexual relations. In "Rain On Me," a love affair gone wrong makes Ashanti despair: "I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe/See, I don't wanna hug my pillow late at night no more/ I'm tossin' and turning."

Consumerism:

The liner notes present Ashanti in five different outfits, complete with expensive gold jewelry, but the songs don't deal with material goods.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

There are no references to drugs or alcohol.

Violence

In "Carry On," Ashanti's boyfriend punches holes in her walls and puts "glass on the floor." The skit "Black Child" describes murder in hot summer streets.

Sex

In "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)," Ashanti seems to endorse non-monogamous sex, singing, "I can't describe what I wanna do to you tonight/Awww baby I'm satisfied even if you're not just mine." "The Story of 2 (Dreammaker)" talks about jumping into bed: "All of my friends say that I'm moving too soon/ I don't care what they say. I want to give myself to you."

Language

There are no obscenities, but many frank descriptions of sexual relations, like "Story Of 2 (Dreammaker)," where Ashanti sings, "Dreammaker, here's what we gon' do tonight/ We gon' make sweet love til the morning light, yeah, yeah."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthea Riesenberg

In his opening shoutout, Chink Santana calls Ashanti "Murder Inc's princess," and that may be a fitting description, at least in the kingdom of R&B. Ashanti sings the gritty "Living My Life" with regal confidence, and mellow tracks like "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" and "I Found Lovin'" with soulful assurance. Other standouts include "Breakup 2 Makeup" (not to be confused with The Stylistics' oldie of the same name), "The Story Of 2 (Dreammaker)," and "Feel So Good."

Listeners may question the skits, and fans of her previous album may regret Ashanti's choice of solo R&B over guest artist rap. But when Ashanti takes over, there's a lot to like in CHAPTER II. Just keep in mind it's frankly sexual, and not for younger listeners.