The Definition Of...
The Definition Of... is the fifth studio album by American singer Fantasia. It was released on July 29, 2016, by RCA Records and 19 Recordings.[1] The album features production from Ron Fair, R. Kelly, and The-Dream, among others, and incorporates elements of contemporary R&B, pop, and soul.[2] It was preceded by the singles "No Time for It" in May 2016 and "Sleeping with the One I Love" in July 2016.[3] Upon release, The Definition Of... received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised Fantasia's vocal performances and the album's eclectic sound.[2]Development and Production
Background and development
Following the release of her fourth studio album, Side Effects of You in 2013, Fantasia Barrino sought to redefine her musical identity by exploring a fusion of R&B, rock, gospel, and pop elements, which she termed "rock soul." This shift aimed to break from contemporary R&B conventions and embrace a more eclectic, vintage-inspired sound reflective of her artistic evolution.[4][5] The project initially began with sessions involving longtime collaborator R. Kelly, but these proved unproductive due to creative differences and personal shifts in Barrino's life; she later credited Kelly's improvisational approach as an indirect inspiration for the album's bold direction, though additional collaboration did not occur beyond one track co-written and produced by Kelly.[5][6][1] In December 2015, under new management from Primary Wave, Barrino restarted the process, hiring Ron Fair as executive producer to guide the vision, with Fair's experience on projects for artists like Mary J. Blige bringing a polished yet genre-blending touch.[5][6] Key influences for the album drew from classic rock and soul icons, including Tina Turner, James Brown, and Prince, infusing the work with gritty energy and emotional depth to pioneer a "rock soul" aesthetic. Barrino's personal experiences, including recovery from financial hardships, depression, a 2010 suicide attempt, and abusive relationships, profoundly shaped the album's thematic focus on resilience, self-love, and triumph; as a mother of two at the time, these life events underscored her emphasis on healing and empowerment.[5][4] The project was first teased in early 2016 through promotional singles like "No Time for It" in January, with Barrino discussing the album's conception in interviews that highlighted her intent to create music true to her multifaceted identity.[7]Recording and production
The recording of Fantasia's fifth studio album, The Definition Of..., primarily took place at multiple studios in California and other locations during early 2016, ahead of its July release. Vocals were captured at Faircraft Studios in Brentwood, California, with additional recording sessions at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California; the Record Plant in Los Angeles, California; and Patchwerk Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Other contributions came from The Chocolate Factory in Chicago, Illinois, and HyGrade Studios in London, United Kingdom.[1] Executive producer Ron Fair, working closely with Fantasia at his Faircraft Studios, shaped the album's sound through lush, orchestral arrangements infused with a rock edge, incorporating live instrumentation such as guitars and horns to create a rock-soul texture.[5] Fair also handled string arrangements and conduction for several tracks, including "Sleeping with the One I Love," where he arranged and conducted the strings alongside producing the vocals.[1] Fantasia's vocal performances were recorded with an emphasis on emotional depth, involving a deliberate and introspective process where she drew from personal experiences to infuse her gospel-rooted inflections and raw delivery; this approach resulted in a slower pace, as she aimed to authentically convey vulnerability across multiple takes.[8] Mixing occurred at Capitol Studios and Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood; engineers included Chris Godbey and Jaycen Joshua. The album, consisting of 11 tracks, was finalized under RCA Records and mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.[1]Concept and Composition
Title and artwork
The title of the album, The Definition Of..., stems from Fantasia Barrino's intention to articulate her evolved sense of self as a multifaceted woman, drawing on her experiences to embody qualities like strength, love, motherhood, resilience, and survival, thereby establishing a mature artistic persona independent of her early fame from American Idol.[9][5] The cover artwork depicts Fantasia in a striking, ethereal pose with her face adorned in reflective chrome elements, symbolizing a bold transformation and evoking metallic strength; this visual was realized through a custom painting by artist Kip Omolade, whose hyperrealistic chrome mask style draws from Afrofuturist influences and African art traditions, and photographed by Derek Blanks under the direction of RCA Records' creative team.[1][10][11] Omolade's contribution to the cover, titled Diovadiova Chrome, required five months of meticulous work to capture the luminous, otherworldly effect, aligning with the album's themes of personal reinvention and empowerment.[10] The inner booklet continues these motifs of empowerment, featuring intimate design elements that complement the rock-inspired aesthetic of the project, developed in collaboration with RCA's art department to underscore Fantasia's narrative of breaking barriers.[1]Music and lyrics
The Definition Of... showcases a predominant R&B style blended with rock edges, including prominent guitar solos and driving rhythms that evoke a "rock soul" identity, while incorporating gospel undertones through Fantasia's emotive vocal delivery.[5] This fusion draws influences from 1970s soul-rock artists like Tina Turner, particularly in tracks featuring bluesy, energetic instrumentation, alongside modern R&B production techniques that emphasize live band elements and retro grandeur.[5][4] The album's overall sound balances upbeat anthems, such as the mid-tempo empowerment track "No Time for It," with introspective ballads like "When I Met You," creating dynamic contrasts that highlight Fantasia's versatile vocal range spanning powerful belts to improvisational flourishes rooted in her gospel background.[4][12] Lyrically, the album explores themes of love, resilience, spirituality, and personal growth, deeply informed by Fantasia's real-life experiences with relationships, faith, and overcoming adversity.[5][4] Songs reflect a narrative of self-empowerment and emotional healing, with references to gratitude toward past partners and triumphant faith-driven perseverance, positioning the record as a testament to defining one's identity amid challenges.[12] Fantasia's improvisational style and wide vocal dynamics serve as the core of this "rock soul" ethos, allowing her to infuse raw authenticity into both celebratory and vulnerable moments.[5] Clocking in at 48:41, the album is structured as a cohesive narrative arc of self-definition, progressing from bold declarations of independence to reflective affirmations of love and spiritual strength, unified by Fantasia's commanding presence.[1]Track listing
The standard edition of The Definition Of... features 11 tracks, with guest appearances by Stacy Barthe, Aloe Blacc, and Tye Tribbett.[2] The album has a total runtime of 48 minutes and 41 seconds, sequenced to guide listeners through an emotional arc progressing from themes of empowerment in the opening uptempo tracks to deeper reflection in the closing ballads.[1] Executive production is by Ron Fair, with contributions from various producers including Brian Kennedy, R. Kelly, and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon. No deluxe physical edition was released at launch.[1][13]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crazy | Troi Irons | Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon, Ron Fair | 4:49 |
| 2 | No Time for It | Brian Kennedy, Ron Fair | 3:25 | |
| 3 | So Blue | Ron Fair | 4:23 | |
| 4 | When I Met You | Ron Fair | 4:33 | |
| 5 | Sleeping with the One I Love | R. Kelly | R. Kelly, Ron Fair | 5:03 |
| 6 | Stay Up (feat. Stacy Barthe) | Dylan Wiggins, Ron Fair | 3:37 | |
| 7 | Ugly | Audra Mae, Nicolle Galyon | Ron Fair | 3:17 |
| 8 | Wait for You | GRADES, Ron Fair | 5:09 | |
| 9 | Roller Coasters (feat. Aloe Blacc) | Ron Fair | 4:55 | |
| 10 | Lonely Legend | D. Smith, Ron Fair | 3:50 | |
| 11 | I Made It (feat. Tye Tribbett) | David Outing, Tye Tribbett | Ron Fair, Tye Tribbett | 5:40 |