Katy Perry Re-Enters UK Top Ten / Ashanti Makes Top 40 Debut

Published: Monday 10th Mar 2014 by David
ashanti-braveheart-that-grape-juice-she-is-diva-2014jpg

Though major label backing would have seen it fare far better, it seems Ashanti‘s independent release ‘Braveheart’ is having no trouble impacting the charts this week.

Set to move around 20,000 units in its US opening week, the R&B effort now finds a friend in the United Kingdom, where it can now boast of owning a Top 40 spot thanks to sales that have seen it out perform Robin Thicke‘s ‘Blurred Lines‘ this week.

Details below…

Debuting at #29 on the Official R&B Albums chart, ‘Brave’ now sees itself placed two spots Destiny‘s Child’s ‘NO #1s’, which spends its 89th week on the tally at #31.

Marking the star’s first independent release, the LP’s British debut has to thank a well oiled digital PR machine to thank for its charting, with UK radio or print press yet to lend its full support to the project.

Elsewhere, Katy Perry’s ‘Dark Horse’ trots and tramples over her competition, flinging its supporting album ‘Prism’ back in the Top Ten…#7 to be exact.

Rising 17 spots in the last week, the album is now placed 4 spots above Rick Ross’ ‘Mastermind’ which debuts at #11, while Beyonce‘s ‘Beyonce‘ spends its 13th week on the chart at #6.

Your thoughts?

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  1. WHITE GIRL MOB March 10, 2014

    Ashanti is still a FLOP B****. So… And her fans is a bunch of cheap lazy utorrent downloading pricks.

    KREAYSHAWN RUN YOU BROKE LAZY B******

  2. FutureCIARA March 10, 2014

    Keep it up Ashanti…. I think the haters are cringing right now, They probably figured you do a lot worse..

    But give them something to talk about!

    The album is cute, I listened to it this weekend. Nice body of work,

    The Reggae song should be your next single.

  3. Navy Commander March 10, 2014

    I need the sales Samantha

  4. L21480 March 10, 2014

    I think Ashanti shot herself in the foot with this album. Even if it “does well for an independent release,” if she ever has plans to sign with a major again, this album would need to do better than OK. It would have to do exceptionally well…near Macklemore levels.

    She should have swallowed her pride and took one of those crappy “360” major label offers and later renegotiated if necessary. If this album totally tanks, then that just lowers her industry value even more, to the point where those majors that were willing to meet with her before suddenly won’t be interested.

  5. Sarah March 10, 2014

    Michelle’s hair was ALWAYS Laid..Kelly’s hair was tragic and Beyonce’s was dry..LOVED that remix though! Congrats to Ashanti as well!!

  6. HIMEROS March 10, 2014

    If Basicism over takes beyonce on that chart, the world is seriously effed.

  7. Jaymi March 10, 2014

    I work in the industry and it shocks and upsets me at the same time that Thatgrapejuice always promotes irrelevant chart positions. I mean top 40 on R&B, this is REALLY a joke cause that means she has probably sold about 1300 copies. Is that an achievement? Not at all.

  8. Rihater March 10, 2014

    What was the point of mentioning Beyonce once again…

  9. Say What!!!! March 10, 2014

    As an indie artist Ashanti will make more money that an artist signed to a label. If sells 500K she will make as much as an artist that sells 2 million. Plus she keep all her earnings from touring and endorsements. Ashanti is a BOSS.

  10. FreeBreezy March 10, 2014

    Slay miss Ashanti!

  11. marqverdict March 10, 2014

    I don’t think a 360 deal can be negotiated like that. I think for Ashanti to take her career into her own hands has been a benefit for her, but like you said, she may have shot herself in her own foot, seeing as she’s no longer ‘hot’ like she was back in the day. Furthermore It would be better for ashanti to ‘flop’ and still have some form of money as an independent artist than to flop with hardly any, whilst having the record label drop her. I think she’s doing very well as an independent artist. Of course she’s a black R&B female singer so her sales may not match those of Macklemore but thats a whole different discussion. Support the independent artists y’all.

  12. munch March 10, 2014

    I actually think that Bootylicious remix posted is much better than the original song.

  13. OrangeJuiceInstead March 10, 2014

    Good for Ashanti! Glad to see she still gets to do what she loves.

  14. IStanForYourFav March 10, 2014

    Ashanti is doing the right thing by going independent. No matter how little the sales, she gets all the money excluding a little percentage to Amazon, iTunes, & Target. She is still looking at least 60% of the profits. If she was a 360 or a major label she would only make money off touring (no shade bc I bought the album), but that wouldn’t benefit her at all because people don’t respect her as a live performer.

    I hate stories like Ashanti, Amerie, Mya, and more. The thing that benefited her (like most female artists who have a man behind them) hurt her in the end. Being a part of Murder Inc. was a dream come true back during the height of her career (along with Ja Rule, J.Lo, and more affiliates) and it came crashing down suddenly. I was shocked to see Only U suffering the way it did. It was visually and sonically pleasing. Oh well. That’s the industry for you.

    NP: Only U on the Herbal Essence commercial (only saw it twice on T.V.)

  15. CzarM March 10, 2014

    marqverdict is correct.

    Let’s be real: Ashanti was going to flop no matter what label she was on. Its been a long time now since she’s been seen as a major artist, plus the “type” of artist she is and music she does isn’t half as commercially viable as it was during her “Foolish” days. In 2014, she’s not in the company of Beyoncé or Rihanna.

    Taking a 360 deal with a major would have left her broke and in debt, even if she defied the odds commercially and did reasonably well. Now imagine if she took one and then flopped. That would have been a disaster for her. She’d been stranded, miserable, broke and literally locked in a contract that wouldn’t give her any kind of wiggle room. Like Jojo and Blackground.

    At least in this scenario she can be her own boss, make her own creative decisions and moves, and keep a good bulk of whatever profits she makes. No she’s not gonna be pampered with star treatment…she won’t get her choice of the best songwriters & producers, or hot collaborators…nor is she going to score any hits. But at the end of the day any profit she generates she gets to largely keep and no one is sitting on her, or telling her what to do. 360 deals are only valuable if you’re either at a commercial peak OR if you’re some kind of legend/touring act offered a hundred million dollar deal.

  16. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    I finally listened to the album. There were a few songs that were “cute” other than that, it was really nothing special. I’m sure six months from now, this album will be long forgotten about. kudos to her for trying though! Get that money hun 😀

  17. The truth hurts March 10, 2014

    Misleading titles
    Saying she entered the top 40 implies she entered the top 40 of the general chart when in fact it was the R&B chart which means it probably sold 500 copies ore some other tiny number.

  18. ashley March 10, 2014

    Her sales will only decrease as the weeks go by. So this “She’s making more money” excuse will be null and void soon. She should focus on choosing the right singles and getting them to chart on the R&B chart, atleast. So that her album can have longevity. That should be most important right now.

  19. Mariahismusic1 March 10, 2014

    Ashanti writes her own music @slay-hive, just let that sink in

  20. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    *hands ashanti a cookie for writing her own music*

  21. dezi March 10, 2014

    A bunch of penny pinching and barrel scraping m************ on here calling somebody a flop NOW THAT’S FUNNY. They’d trade places with ashanti in a heart-beat if the could because they don’t have a career of any description. Just hired trolls who indulge in the same tired ass b******* day in and day out.

  22. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    LOL and the PRESSED b****** show up! kii What does her money or our money have to do with her being a FLOP?! IDGI 😀 20,000 is a flop. sorry 🙁

    I’d trade places with Queen Bey before Ashanti. I’m sure Ashanti’s not that much richer than me 😀

    #NP No Worries Lil Wayne 😀 😀 😀

  23. KESHIA CHANTE STAN March 10, 2014

    WOW congrats to Ashanti and R&B!!!!!

  24. ashley March 10, 2014

    Dezi why are you so mad? No one even called her a flop other than that troll kreayshawn lmao

  25. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    DEATH!!

  26. BEYS ‘R’ US March 10, 2014

    @Keshiachantestan your girl keshia, really looks like Queen Aaliyah a lot. At first I was skeptical about her playing the role of her but she definitely has my pass!

  27. Truth Tea March 10, 2014

    Braveheart has had NO PROMOTION in the UK at all! this is incredible well done Ashanti incredible album, you are flying the flag for Black people and Women taking charge of there own music so they can create and promote there work how they want to!

  28. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    20,000 isn’t too shabby though compared to Beyonce’s accumulated Japanese sales which are less than 18k while people like Taylor, Gaga, One Direction, and Rihanna sold 200k – 300k.

  29. ashley March 10, 2014

    lol slayriah why are you so obsessed with Beyonce? Who checks for japanese sales anyway. You are the epitome of pressed. No wonder slay_hive drags you.

  30. Dev March 10, 2014

    Gurl you get all the money ALL OF THE MONEY

  31. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    lmao SMH Should have know this pressed b**** was going to mention Beyonce. She should be more concerned with her fave’s current itunes position. Now that’s a kii

  32. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    Hi @Ashley.
    Japan is a very important music market in the world. I wouldn’t expect local Beytches to slay there. How are you?

  33. Kareem March 10, 2014

    I love it the album Ashanti. I bought my two copies.

  34. ashley March 10, 2014

    I’m great. Beyonce’s album will continuosly sell in Japan. The physical album was just released in there in February. You are seriously pressed that you have to research her Japanese sales just to throw shade. lmao

  35. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    Btw, miss Katy just won’t let up on that slayage. I just wish she had some type of talent behind it. It isn’t right because Gaga has more talent than all these h*** and I hate to see her flopping after 5 years. The industry is dumb.

  36. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    @Ashley I wasn’t looking up her Japanese sales. Lol I don’t care for B***** like that. I was on Chart news and I saw the sales. Even Ariana’s flop ass sold like 3 times what Bey sold. #Noshade. Just facts.

  37. ashley March 10, 2014

    Gaga is a gimmick. That was her main talent. She’s a basic singer. A basic songwriter, and Like Laurieann Gibson stated “Lady GaGa Is Rhythmically Challenged” in other words a basic stiff dancer. She is overrated and her sales are showing that now. Cling to Lady Gaga while You’re mine continues it’s tumble down itunes. lmao

  38. Just Sayin March 10, 2014

    Damn I click in this post and this Slayriah person is STILL obsessing about Beyoncé. I’m dying @ the obsession.

  39. ashley March 10, 2014

    slayriah save the lies. You were looking up Beyonce’s sales. You even posted the list a few days ago. Ariana released her album last summer. Beyonce will eventually pass her in sales. The physical copy was only just made available in February.

  40. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    Cling to Lady Gaga while You’re mine continues it’s tumble down itunes. lmao

    I’m not a Gaga fan nor am I clinging to her. I’m just simply saying that she has more talent than her counterparts and its a tragedy that they are slaying while she is flopping. I don’t know what this obsession is with Mariah’s iTunes positions but proceed…

  41. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    ashley I don’t even know why you’re wasting your time. She is always pressed. She wakes up with Beyonce on her mind and she wonders why You’re Mine is flopping. kii

  42. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    Beyonce isn’t passing Ariana though. Because Ariana actually sold over 4000 copies last week while Beyonce sold a little over 1000.

  43. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    LOL but you’re not looking up Beyonce’s Japanese sales? girl you are too pressed and bothered for me.

    Can you tell us how many copies of You’re Mine was sold last week, since you’re keeping up with sales?

  44. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    I didn’t know I was exempt from speaking about Beyonce. I can’t with this pressed souls. If someone isn’t kissing Beyonce’s nasty ass it’s like we’re not allowed to speak. Lol bye

  45. dezi March 10, 2014

    @S****-Hive – I struck a nerve huh penny pinching b****? Beyonce sure wouldn’t trade places with your broke ass — let alone toss your bleeding ass a tampon. Now here’s what’s funny ashanti can buy and sell your ass AT HER WORST and go places your penny scraping dirt foot ass can’t even go that’s why you stick to this blog like flies on s*** you nobody ass bum b****. Stop living vicariously through beyonce and find your own LIFE .. Messy ass c***.

    @ASHLEY Honey i’m not mad i just can’t wrap my mind around bum b****** trying to come for a successful woman. GET OVER IT OKAY LOL

  46. Just Sayin March 10, 2014

    Girl the difference is you are ALWAYS speaking about her, more than Mariah. I fear for her safety with people like you so obsessed with her on the net.

  47. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    I bet Arian’s flop ass is only selling decently in Japan because she is stealing Mariah’s style. Lol. Those Asians loved some Mimi.

  48. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    Death @ them saying I talk about B***** more than Mariah. I always have Mariah playing. Actually, Mariah’s 9x platinum debut album is slaying me right now.

  49. Super Cisus March 10, 2014

    @gay_hive is so Pressed smh

  50. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    @Dezi No honey. A PRESSED nothing ass bitter black b**** HIDING behind a troll account could never touch a nerve, let a lone strike one b****. GET REAL!

    I have a job that allows me to blog. I don’t have to wait for a little 30 minute break to participate like some of YOU b******. I do as I motherfucking please, and will CONTINUE to do it! kii

    Lastly.I was just pointing out how ignorant you sound. Just because majority of us (including YOU b****) aren’t as rich as Ashanti, doesn’t mean we can’t voice our opinion. The b**** is a flop. I don’t give a f*** if she is a billionaire. She is a flop! The truth is the MF truth, and I will voice it as long as slay_hive is paying slay_hive’s MF bills.

    Sit on a sick d*** and TWIRL b****!!

  51. SLAYRIAH CAREY (TOUR DE FORCE) March 10, 2014

    YESSS! I love obsessed. That song slays me. #Flawless.

  52. slay_hive March 10, 2014

    I’m pressed but your first comment is dedicated to me! kii

    Girl good f***** BYE!

  53. BCinKS March 10, 2014

    I won’t say anything about the actual album because it isn’t really anything exciting. However, if she ends up selling 20K, she will make about as much as if she had a regular 9-5. She still has to pay for studio time, producers, stylist, etc. So she may come out with what? $50k when it’s all said and done. And that’s for a product that took SIX (or so) years to create.

    I like Ashanti, but I need her to go back to her old style when she didn’t try so hard to be a vocalist.

  54. Molly March 10, 2014

    Thought this was about Ashanti and Katy not fraudyonce.

  55. HIMEROS March 10, 2014

    Ashley is seeking for attention. Ashanti will flop. She’s just another Nelly Furtado case: out of sight, out of mind.

    Katy is basic. People can’t even get excited for her success.
    She’s so basic, I bet her next single or video will be about the john mayer break up

    *yawns and fixes hair*

  56. DB March 10, 2014

    People on here are talking as if Ashanti gonna be raking in millions of dollars from her album just because she’s independent…which is false..at the end of the day its all about how big your fan base is..and ashanti hasn’t got a big fan base..so she’ll will still FLOP.

  57. MC! March 10, 2014

    Beyonce never does good in japan they don’t care for her…NEXT anyway Ashanti did pretty good for an indie her album is actually great haters fall back!!

  58. bradon March 10, 2014

    Hmm but wasn’t tgj predicting Ashanti dales to be 12k …get out of here with the b*******..Ashanti love the album

  59. RNB Charts March 10, 2014

    Ashanti slayin the sh@t out the singles charts though!
    Check the rnb itunes sigles charts, Ashanti got 5 singles in the top 100 and three aren’t even release as singles.

    Fact…. Beyonce may have her in albums sales but with the singles, Ashanti winning! Check Itunes sales bars!

    Keep going Ashanti, just need more music videos and live performances!

  60. anonymous March 10, 2014

    Good for You Ashanti. I’m happy for her. They predicted her sales to be lower at first, but I’m glad she’s expected to sell more now..

  61. Sundayluv March 11, 2014

    Hey don’t knock Ashanti’s hustle. I read somewhere that as an independent artist for every 100,000 albums sold garners 1million dollars so don’t cry for her. I just so proud that Toni and Babyface are still doing well on the charts. Brought my mom the physical album this weekend and she loves it. And I listen to Braveheart all the way through during my workouts at the gym.

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