Ashanti Teams With Ty Dolla $ign, DJ Mustard, & More For New Album

Published: Wednesday 31st Aug 2016 by Sam
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Ashanti may not have emerged victorious in the mid 00’s showdown of R&B divas, but she sure knows how to keep it moving.

Never starved of a check, the former Murder Inc maven has diversified into TV and has also maintained a touring presence. The latter evidenced by her current trek with Ja Rule.

New music remains at the forefront of her mind, though. And it appears its arrival may be a case of “sooner rather than later.”

Full story below…

In a new interview with Billboard, the 35-year-old dropped a number points…

On The New Project’s Rumored Title

“The next album is absolutely not called Chapter VI (as rumored). It’s really confusing. I have no idea where that came from. But the music on there is incredible. I’m really excited. I can’t wait for people to hear the new music.”

On Its Sound

“[I’ve recorded about 15 or 16 songs]. I’m probably in love with about six or seven of them, like IN LOVE in love. I’m working with different people, different sounds, different things on this album, just kind of going places I haven’t gone before. Being an adult now, times are different. People want more of you.

“here are certain things that five years ago there’s no way anyone could’ve gotten me to say certain things, but this time around it’s like, ‘Hey, we’re in 2016 going into 2017, and this is how I feel. This is how it is. This is where we are in life, with everything.’ I’m ready to do that.”

On Recording In LA With Ty Dolla $ign, DJ Mustard, J-Roc, Hit-Boy, L.T. Hutton & More

“There’s so many different people. I was just thinking about my favorite records and who did them. The last two times I went out to L.A. I was only supposed to be there for a week and ended up staying for a month each time. I catch a really great vibe out there for some reason. Whenever I’m out there I go super hard.”

No release date was given, but the star says she hopes to have music to the masses before the year’s end.

As for us, we just hope it receives the right setup.

Because, as Ms. Douglas learned on her ‘Braveheart’ outing, it’s possible to make all the vocal and performance improvements possible and still fall short if the if the roll-out is wrong.

We’ve always maintained that going indie is not for all. Something her last era showcased in earnest. Fingers crossed that if she insists on going the “Written Entertainment” route once again, she’ll have teamed with a bigger entity to ensure she’s getting the proper looks as far as radio, TV, and all-round awareness. Because, we’re rooting for her. Especially with that line-up of producers.

What’s more, as the recent successes of Remy Ma and Fat Joe highlight, it’s important to never count one out…

Your thoughts?

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  1. Molly #TheMostRelevantBitch August 31, 2016

    Ty dolla is the man right now ?

  2. BeyKnowlesBest August 31, 2016

    braveheart was pretty solid ..I’ll always be a fan she’s just a good songwriter

    • The Legend Called Missy Elliott August 31, 2016

      The Woman You Loveeeee

  3. #JACKIE August 31, 2016

    She is working with the exact same people as everyone else. Ashanti needs a new sound…

    • Johnny Gill Nicole Scherzinger Brian McKnight August 31, 2016

      And what does Ciara need?

      • #JACKIE August 31, 2016

        Ciara is RELEVANT unlike the three has beens in your username (excluding Nicole; she’s a NEVER been. Stay mad bxtch.

    • Johnny Gill Nicole Scherzinger Brian McKnight August 31, 2016

      Well then, good thing Nicole has talent (as well as the other two) backing her up, unlike…some others. At least Nicole can sing, unlike some people who’s name starts with C and ends with A.

      All the people in my user name have talent and can sing.

      At least Nicole didn’t make a fool out of herself when singing the national anthem. Who did that again? Name’s on the tip of my tongue.
      When she reached for that “free” note, it just wasn’t there! Lord what a disaster! Her next album probably gonna flop so hard after that embarrassment.

      Future could sing the national anthem better lol

    • I stan for talent August 31, 2016

      @Tacky, ho in what world is ci-error relevant? Ho sit you tried it.

  4. Career Ender August 31, 2016

    nice

  5. Kitty Puurrzz August 31, 2016

    Ashanti.. I’m here for your return.

  6. christinastherealtalent August 31, 2016

    #sideye at a Ciara Stan saying Ashanti needs a new sound!

    • #JACKIE August 31, 2016

      Side eye all you want honey, but Ciara experiments with different sounds. Worry about Irrelevantina.

      • Tori August 31, 2016

        That’s her problem, we don’t want her to experiment anymore. She does good with R&b and Urban pop but she keeps thinking ppl want straight Top 40 pop at 30. This is why shell fail because she don’t listen to her audience that actually BUYS her music.

      • #JACKIE August 31, 2016

        She listened to her audience plenty of times and they don’t BUY s***, so she might as well do what she wants! Girl BYE get out of my replies høe.

      • Tori August 31, 2016

        When did she listened to her fans? When BEGGED her to promote her “Ciara” album and she decided no to because she was a 2 months pregnant and sat on her ass til she gave birth the next summer OR when she said she was recording her “Best album to date” and only one song was true to her sound while the rest was teenage pop music? OR when we asked her to promote and release “Only One” “All Good” “Dance Like Were Making Love” and she didn’t do ANYTHING? CIARA NEVER DOES WANT THE PPL WO BUY HER MUSIC ASK HER TO. I mean if Sorry, Body Party, and I Bet are the songs that ppl buy and listen to the most, why record a full pop album?

      • Johnny Gill Nicole Scherzinger Brian McKnight August 31, 2016

        Lol @ci-error experimenting.

      • BeyonceIsASlut August 31, 2016

        You mean irrelevantina, the girl who gets paid 3 Mio dollars for a private show while C-Error keeps gifting her albums at KFC and performing her songs on empty ass parking lots? BYE ?

      • #JACKIE August 31, 2016

        This discussion is TIRED! Back to the topic at hand…..

        As you were….➡️

      • BeyonceIsASlut August 31, 2016

        Tired like your t***** looking fave, her tired trash albums and tired ass TRYING to be relevant and failing miserably

      • Tori August 31, 2016

        Is it tired because I gave you the truth and you have nothing else to say? Are you one of the fans that was begging and pleading but got let down as well? Ciara half ass ambition is tired. The only girl who could be up there with Beyonce and she still playing catch up with Tinashe and Rihanna after 12 years, b**** you shouldn’t have anything to say about anybody’s fave till Ciara album sales match her single says. All your comments and opinions are DECLINED!

      • #JACKIE August 31, 2016

        Kii sis the discussion is TIRED because it’s been going on since 2010. Ciara is a grown woman who does what she wants. She OBVIOUSLY has y’all bothered seeing how y’all are more focused on her than Ashanti.

        Now exit my reply box… All of you peasants.➡️

  7. Jay Jay August 31, 2016

    I think she has more of a chance this go around since urban is becoming more and more mainstream again. She just needs a big R&B hit like Kelly Motivation, or Ciara Body Party.

  8. #TeamTinashe Stan August 31, 2016

    I am interested.
    I have to say I actually hate when artists like Ashanti are on the mission to releasing new albums our people(black people) feel the need to shade it, compare it, and downgrade at best.
    Why can’t we just support black R&B artists without shading it for a few RTs or because you’re a stan for somebody else? smh.

    I am only saying this because her last album was actually good but I seen alot of black people trying their best to shade it for the hell of it. She’s done good so far and especially as an indie artist now doing 29K the first week was actually good for her.

  9. ptr2 August 31, 2016

    tinashe is a threat to this fat trick lmao they have similar voices that’s all people have the same voice in this world tinashe got washed up b****** shook out here hating b****** in the industry keep stopping the poor girl from making it they know she’s hot jealousy is a b****

  10. Biting Truth August 31, 2016

    That whole “Written Entertainment” indie thing was a cute little experiment, but she needs a real label this time.

    • Tori August 31, 2016

      HELL NO! She should be saving all her money so that she can fund a bigger release with a great promo tour. She’ll make much more money as the artists/label than just as an artist. Even if she flops, she still makes millions. All she needs is a new manager with great industry connections who can book her high profile promo and maybe some company to invest in a tour. She definitely doesn’t need to sign to a major label.

      • King August 31, 2016

        This is what I be trying to get ppl to understand. That as an indie artist. If you’re album don’t pull big numbers. You can still make a gang of money. But if you’re signed to a major and it don’t sell. Than you want make a dime off that album. Once the label recoup their investment. She’s doing the right thing. Plus she did 20,000 her first week. And she did it as an indie artist. That’s a huge future

    • Infinitt September 1, 2016

      You make tons of money if you hold the majority of the publishing. What people don’t understand is that when artists are indie, it is up to THEM to fund everything: recording sessions, producer fees, promotion, music videos, touring, etc., etc. And when they are funding themselves, the quality usually looks and sounds more modest – but without that Universal/Sony/Warner budget, they can’t afford to be as top notch or spend more time fine tuning things. So in the end, they don’t still makes millions, even if the album flops. If they’re lucky they only barely break even. And most indie releases DO flop. That avenue is just a way for artists to continue their careers when the major label structure rejects them. It’s not anything to strive for.

  11. Danzou August 31, 2016

    She’s a beautiful girl. That declaration album was fire.

  12. B_Roni August 31, 2016

    Her and Mya have some void albums. I think she is happy doing the independent thing. Mya said herself that she has made more money independently than when she was with a major label.

    • Smoove Jones August 31, 2016

      Void albums? Fear of Flying & Moodring are great solid efforts. The Declaration & Braveheart were solid too.

      • Your Phantom Edges September 1, 2016

        Sweet XVI was a good EP from Mya too! I think she does a good job at pleasing her core supporters which seems to generate revenue in return. Ashanti needs to partner with one of the big streaming services and sell her album everywhere. Her fans will still buy and the streams would gain her plenty exposure

  13. Smile! August 31, 2016

    Just saw her and Ja Rule live last night and it really reminded me of how big they were. Their chemistry is undeniable and I’ve always admired her ability to write, be classy and stay true to her roots. Experimenting is great but giving your root fans what they want is always just as important. Looking forward to the new album.

  14. Smile! August 31, 2016

    Ashanti also stated before that the independent route was a much better route financially then the 360 deal.

  15. christinastherealtalent August 31, 2016

    #JACKIE

    Christina’s debut was straight pop.

    Stripped consisted of every genre including hip hop, R&B, rock, etc…

    Back to Basics consisted of jazz, blues, soul, and pop.

    Bionic was more electro

    Lotus was straight pop and R&B

    So tell me again Xtina hasn’t dabbled in every sound there is.

    • I stan for talent August 31, 2016

      Lol why take her seriously, she’s a fan of ciara the flop’s non-singin’ ass

    • BCinKS August 31, 2016

      To be fair though, Christina’s allure has always been her vocals. As long as she hit those runs and high notes, nobody cared what genre she sang. AND she can literally sing any genre. Ashanti? Not so much.

  16. I stan for talent August 31, 2016

    Ashanti you need to work on your singing before you put out another weak album of moaning and kuing

    • Kareem Hicks August 31, 2016

      Watch your mouth on Ashanti. That was a good album

    • I stan for talent August 31, 2016

      It would’ve been better if the girl could sing. Ashanti can’t f****** sing I can’t believe I’m the only one bringing this up. Even ciara sings better than her. Good thing she’s a good songwriter and chooses decent production most of the time because her vocal skills are laughable.

      • I stan for talent August 31, 2016

        That’s one thing Ashanti got on Ciara, she writes her own music and makes decent songs. Ciara on the other hand has more wack songs than rihanna has hits!

        Lol

      • Danzou August 31, 2016

        Ciara does write her own music. She was a writer before going solo. she wrote fantasias “You got me waiting”

      • Naibutafly August 31, 2016

        Prove it that she can’t sing. This is just for people like you. Haters for no reason. https://youtu.be/jTab7aLJA-8

  17. Kareem Hicks August 31, 2016

    Ashanti biggest supporter her and I just want her on top.

  18. Smoove Jones August 31, 2016

    Can’t wait I’m excited.

  19. Casual-T August 31, 2016

    I think she should remain independent. The industry continues to shift in such a way that signing with a major label doesn’t make much sense. Ashanti never bothered to promote her strongest tracks on Braveheart — First Real Love and 3 Words. When she comes back, she’s got to come back hard, and she’s got to put out the right singles. And more, in today’s streaming world, she’s going to need instantly catchy songs that people will like enough to want to hear repeatedly, b/c that’s where her revenue will be.

  20. Dat Dude August 31, 2016

    I’m definitely here for her always have been she the only R&B female artist that release songs that I can relate to as a guy not just females only.

  21. mike August 31, 2016

    Back in the day people compare her to Beyonce, because she was a top act but today she is not anymore so good.
    Her time is over.

    • Johnny Gill Nicole Scherzinger Brian McKnight August 31, 2016

      Real talk and ashanti will always be known as one of the worst female singers. She’s no Beyonce!

  22. Jackx August 31, 2016

    Come thru, braveheart was slept on, love that album. Excited ??

  23. Mark August 31, 2016

    I thought Ja and Ashanti would’ve ended up like Bey and Jay.50 cent and his big mouth really ended them.

  24. Kingbey August 31, 2016

    First of all the only ppl who say she can’t sing obviously hasn’t been following her. The girl was on Broadway like cmon. She sings better than majority of these pop girls snatching these tips 10s but anyways..

    Her last album was released independently and still managed to sell more than Jhud Tinashe Jlo etc…..
    She may never reach her peak again but the girl can definitely come back and make some noise. All her albums are solid. Here for it.

  25. Smile! August 31, 2016

    Ciara sings better than Ashanti? WTF? Ashanti is no Mariah but she has Ciara’s whispering ass beat by a mile. Come correct.

    • MsThing485 September 1, 2016

      By two miles. Ashanti is a good “okay” singer. Ciara is an okay “okay” singer. Ashanti’s voice is thin, but it’s clear and audible. Ciara’s voice is muffled and cotton-mouth sounding.

  26. Johnny Gill Nicole Scherzinger Brian McKnight September 1, 2016

    Oh wow I never knew Ashanti could sing like that. Why doesn’t she ever do it in her music? I mean it wasn’t great or anything, but this was when she got signed so you’d think she’d improve since then not the opposite.

    Ashanti’s music is like orgasm music, that’s it.

    But when I was listening to that I was like “oh wow Ciara the flop could never do that.”

    I guess people like Ashanti, Mya and Tinashe have somewhat good voices, not great but at least beer than ciara, rih, shitny ECT.

  27. Nowqd Reddish tran ivy blobukz Need UK timely Ukuno eremixi September 1, 2016

    Nice

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