The Definition Of... cover

Released 10 years ago

The Definition Of...

Fantasia Barrino · 2016

48 min · 11 tracks · soul

A vibrant blend of contemporary R&B and classic soul, showcasing rich vocals over dynamic instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    When I Met You — This track stands out for its heartfelt lyrics and Fantasia's emotive delivery, encapsulating the transformative power of love.
  • →
    Crazy — With its infectious groove and relatable theme of love's unpredictability, this song showcases Fantasia's ability to blend vulnerability with energy.
  • →
    Ugly — This empowering anthem tackles self-acceptance and beauty standards, highlighting both lyrical depth and Fantasia's dynamic vocal range.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends contemporary R&B with classic soul, highlighted by strong vocal performances and varied tempos.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the fourth track introduces a slower ballad that shifts the album's energy.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • rich vocal performances throughout
  • emotional depth in every track
  • uplifting anthems for celebration
  • intimate moments of reflection
  • dynamic pacing with varied tempos

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • avoid emotional vulnerability themes

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2016, The Definition Of... is Fantasia Barrino's fourth studio album, following her 2013 release, Side Effects of You. At this point in her career, Fantasia was establishing herself as a seasoned artist with a powerful vocal presence, embracing both personal storytelling and broader themes in her music.
Stylistic neighbors
Jennifer Hudson· Lalah Hathaway· Alicia Keys

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Crazy 4:50
  • 2 No Time for It 3:26
  • 3 So Blue 4:23
  • 4 When I Met You 4:33
  • 5 Sleeping With the One I Love 5:03
  • 6 Stay Up 3:37
  • 7 Ugly 3:18
  • 8 Wait for You 5:09
  • 9 Roller Coasters 4:55
  • 10 Lonely Legend 3:50
  • 11 I Made It 5:40

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata