In late September, Ashanti sent her fans into a frenzy when she took to ‘The Tamron Hall Show’ to reveal she was set to re-record her biggest hits (as we reported here).
The news – of particular importance for the R&B diva who is just 6 months away from celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of her eponymous debut album – was trumpeted again during a recent interview on ‘The Angie Martinez Show.’
While there, the GRAMMY winner dished on a number of hot topics in her life including the “awkward” #VERZUZ reunion with ex-boyfriend/rapper Nelly, remembering DMX, working on a tell-all documentary, getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and more. But, it’s the discussion about the ownership of her music that really got tongues wagging – chiefly that of her Murder Inc. Records CEO Irv Gotti.
See what he had to say inside:
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During a robust discussion with Martinez, Ashanti waxed honest about her elation for re-recording some numbers from her discography. When quizzed on why she was doing it, the ‘Foolish’ singer replied:
“The thinking behind that is showing the business side of ownership and how important it is to own and then once I re-record the first album,” she said before later continuing, “So everything purchased, like when that goes, everything purchased from that moment I own.”
The plans didn’t exactly sit well with Gotti, who acted as executive producer and co-writer on a number of her projects. What’s more, he also served as the CEO and founder of Murder Inc. – the label her efforts were released on.
Taking to Instagram (in a statement captured by our friends at TSR), Irv said:
“@angiemartinez just for super clarity, I own all those great Ashanti Albums Angie. I own the masters and I produced all those great Ashanti Albums. So I also own a good portion of the Publishing,” Irv wrote. “What she is trying to do is re record all those great records and put them out on her label. She can do this under the COVER laws. But she is basically trying to f**k me out of my Masters. And make people decide which album to listen too or stream. Hoping her loyal fans will choose her version.”
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Ouch! As of time reported, Ashanti has not responded to Gotti’s comments. See her full interview with Angie Martinez below.
It’s business! I hope her fans choose her new versions over the originals.
No thanks. It won’t be the same.
A rich fool complaining about not being able to get richer… I am so sick of the greed in us humans.
Re-recordings are never the same to my ears lmaoooooooo….but good for her
Irv is just being greedy as f***. Ashanti currently gets nothing from the masters side but gets royalties from the publishing. Irv gets from both sides. By re-recording the albums she will own the masters and get from both sides whilst Irv would then only get royalties from the publishing side for his part in writing/producing. Hes been living off her royalties for near 20 years. Its time she earned a greater share for her work.
Facts!!!! She deserves it!!!
The TLC effect
Hope he won’t get her celtic kilt