21... Ways to Grow is the third studio album by American R&B singer Shanice. It was released by Motown Records on June 21, 1994, in the United States. Less successful than her 1991 album Inner Child, it peaked at number 46 on the US Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 184 on the US Billboard 200. It includes the minor hit singles "Somewhere" and "Turn Down the Lights".
Jean Rosenbluth of the Los Angeles Times wrote that: "On this coming-of-age album, the veteran recording artist celebrates adulthood with her most mature effort yet, a cohesive collection of playful hip-hop, come-hither power ballads and aggressive funk." Vibe contributor Jeremy Helligar commended Shanice's "versatile and finely nuanced" voice and being more involved in the album's production, but felt it lacked cohesiveness when going for numerous R&B demographics, concluding that: "Sure, Shanice wears all these hats well, especially that funky, funky chapeau on "I Like." But she'll have to streamline her scope to compete with the big girls.
