“When you think of hip hop you think of something grimy, grungy, kind of like gritty concrete. And when you think of R&B you think of something soft, sensual…kind of like a rose.”
So breathes Ashanti in her slushy and pointless introduction to Concrete Rose as she helpfully interprets the mystery behind the album’s title. An alternative reading could see the ‘Concrete’ representing the contribution of heavy-hitting producers such as former in-house producer for The Inc, 7 Aurelius, with the ‘Rose’ signifying the sugary vocals and ‘sexy’ lyrics of Ashanti. But, as with any rose rooted in concrete, she’s starting to wilt. Last year saw the likes of Beyonce and Kelis raise the bar for female R&B artists but it’s a level Ashanti just can’t compete at and, while Concrete Rose is a case study in the modern importance of good producers, there’s only so much that can be done to paper over her lack of lyrical nous and limited vocal ability. Debut single ‘Only U’ is a case in point. Aurelius’ creation of a thudding beat and simple but hypnotic riff is certainly promising but Ashanti’s failure to inject similar power in her vocals leaves her floundering in the background. That’s not to say Concrete Rose is entirely without merit. The catchy ‘Take Me Tonight’ could be the surprise hit of spring while ‘So Hot, Freedom’ or ‘Don’t Leave Me Alone’ offer tantalising glimpses of what the singer is capable of.