EMUSIC

It still shocks me to this day to think of how many singers don’t have much talent.

Planet of the Apes extra Ashanti’s beginnings were humble, making guest spots on Ja Rule’s “Always On Time” and Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv,” as well as cultivating superhit “Foolish,” a well-planned rip of Biggie’s “One More Chance.”  After that, [simply] the bitch fell off.

The albums that followed were so poorly constructed that the only thing that gave them any sales [considering her subpar voice, lack of dancing skills and sometimes gorilla-esque appearance sure weren’t] was their respective lead singles, “Rock Wit U” and “Only U” [seriously, artists need to use “you” more to, at the very least, show that they or their record companies have better spelling than Gwen Stefani].

Just when I thought her career was over, two tracks - “Switch,” Ashanti’s version of the Cha-Cha Slide, and “Hey Baby (After the Club),” part II to Diddy’s “Last Night” - leaked from The Declaration.  And both failed to make any impact whatsoever.

“The Way That I Love You,” a 360 from the previous two attempts, came out of left field and became the new lead single.  Now, the challenge is to follow that with a hit, something she hasn’t done since her first album.

Second single “Good Good,” featuring standard bass heavy production from Ratatouille extra Jermaine Dupri, is the chill summer song we’ve been waiting for.  From the sedated vocals, to the Hooked On Phonics lyrics and production so laidback it’s like you’re smokin’ a J, “Good Good” is that club joint you put on while sitting in VIP sipping on Hennesy and preparing to get the party bumpin’.

“If you got that good good, ladies show ‘em where it’s at,” sings Ashanti.  It’s clearly right here in this song.