R&B star Ashanti will release her third album, “Concrete Rose,” Dec. 7 via the Inc./Def Jam. The 7 Aurelius-produced first single “Only U” debuted last week at No. 30 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart and is No. 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles tally. Although a track list was not available at deadline, labelmates Ja Rule and Lloyd are confirmed to make guest appearances.
“Concrete Rose” is the follow-up to Ashanti’s 2003 album “Chapter II,” which debuted at No. 1 on both The Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums tally. The set has sold 1.46 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Ashanti eased her way back into the spotlight recently with a guest spot on Ja Rule’s single “Wonderful,” which is No. 13 on the Hot 100 this week. She also appears with R. Kelly in the accompanying video.
The artist has lined up a host of promotional appearances surrounding “Concrete Rose,” including Nov. 14 on the American Music Awards and two days later on “Good Morning America” (both on ABC). A “custom concert,” during which fans will be able to choose the set list, will air Nov. 28 on Oxygen.
Beyond music, Ashanti will make her feature film debut alongside Samuel L. Jackson in “Coach Carter,” which opens Jan. 14 in U.S. theaters. As previously reported, she will also play Dorothy in an ABC production of “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” scheduled to run in May.
