the third studio album by American singer Ashanti. It was released by The Inc. Records and Def Jam Recordings on December 14, 2004 in the United States. In addition to working with frequent collaborators Irv Gotti, Chink Santana, and 7 Aurelius, Ashanti also enlisted new collaborators Malcolm Flythe, Jimi Kendrix, and Demi-Doc, to assist. The album features features guest appearance from rappers T.I., Ja Rule, and Lloyd. Concrete Rose was proceeded by lead single "Only U", which received positive reviews and reached the top-twenty in several countries. The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 in the United States, with first-week sales of 254,000 units; the album also became Ashanti's third consecutive album to top the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Outside the United States, the album was less successful, with its most strongest ranking being in the top thirty of the UK Albums Chart. Critical reception to the project was mixed, with most deeming the album as unoriginal. Nonetheless, the album did receive a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and gained gold status in Japan and the United Kingdom. The album and its promotion was vastly overshadowed by the legal troubles that faced The Inc. and Gotti, who was arrested on money laundering charges only a month after Concrete Rose's release. As a result, Def Jam severed ties with The Inc. in May 2005, and refused to promote the album's second single "Don't Let Them", which only charted moderately in Ireland and the United Kingdom