Kudos to Ashanti for doing great this week. We can all second-guess her decision to go independent, but there's no guarantee she'd have sold one more copy than she did of Braveheart. Ashanti was at the height of her career 10 years ago. A bigger promotional budget might have yielded similar results.

We live in a digital world and her fan base is young enough to mostly be online. Anybody who cared to know knew Ashanti had a new album coming out. This album was promoted on the blogs (served here with sides of shade, but promoted nonetheless), on cable r&b video channels, through extensive radio interviews, and through TV appearances (most importantly, 106th & Park). Any Ashanti fans so inclined could have listened to her album online and decided to purchase a copy.

Now, just imagine if Ashanti had gotten herself locked into a 360 deal. She'd be collecting 65¢ per unit (at best) instead of $6.50 per unit (at least). Oh, and she'd also have to cut her label in on any touring money she might make.