Ashanti is definitely R&B for the under-30 set, and as such it's bouncy and playful. These days, R&B girls seem to be two a penny, but Ashanti Douglas is a step ahead of the pack. Youthful appeal and a pleasantly dreamy voice complement the 21-year old singer-songwriter's ability to pen her own radio-friendly verses. However, Ashanti's youth shows itself through her treatment of the usual R&B-girl subject matters: love standing strong, love gone bad, and the search for love of self. Songs like "Foolish", "Happy", and "Baby" are as simple and agreeable as their one-word titles suggest, while "Call", "Movies", and "Over" take a slightly more earthy approach. This debut, as is to be expected of a Murder Inc. release, features a strong hip-hop element, not least of which are the inclusion of two duets with Irv Gotti's golden child, Ja Rule, and the sampling (in "Unfoolish") of a controversial Notorious B.I.G. composition. The kids should love it. --Rebecca Levine