Not many can boast the illustrious strides Ashanti has made over her 20-year career, but – let the ‘Chapter 2’ singer tell it – there are still a few more chapters to be penned in her story.
Sitting down with “CBS Mornings” co-host Nate Burleson Monday (August 15), the GRAMMY winner dished on the ups-and-downs of her journey to becoming one of the 2000s most successful R&B acts.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Even revisiting the halls of Glen Cove High School in Long Island, Ashanti talked about passing on track scholarships to Ivy League schools, failed record deals, and more before launching a career with Murder Inc. A career, she says, that was amazing at its height but certainly impacted by the imprint’s legal drama and more.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Refusing to let her story end with its downfall, the 41-year-old spoke optimistically about her future – which includes re-recording her debut album, acting gigs, and a long-awaited LP of new music (her first since 2014’s ‘BraveHeart’).
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Watch the interview in full inside.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)ON LEAVING MURDER INC:
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)“There was a definite dark cloud,” Ashanti said. “I’m super-loyal, sometimes to the fault. And I felt like this was my family. So, I have to be on stage and be, like, ‘Oh, baby,’ and knowing that there’s a lotta drama going on behind the scenes. And it was a struggle, even just having integrity in what I’m doing.”
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ON HER LEGACY:
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)“I think my story ends with an amazing legacy, with me being happy,” she revealed. “And I think my story’s gonna end with an amazing family and husband and kids being very proud and happy. And when it does all go away, I’ll have my star and the family will be able to resonate on that forever and ever and ever and ever and ever.”
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Ashanti did not address the current hoopla with former Murder Inc. label head Irv Gotti.
Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)Still very much an engaging piece, click PLAY on the video above to see what was said about the chart topper’s rise to fame from humble beginnings, new music, and more.
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Love me some Ashanti. I still play all her music
it’s always nice to hear from ashanti, r&b lovers miss her
I like her too. Did you read the news? Shayla claims that you are me 😅
That music you speak of has been coming for 8 years…
Homegirl sold over a half of a million albums out the GATE, her first week! 💯 I remember thinking at the time that her music was instantly nostalgic, current AND futuristic, if that makes sense…very FRESH sounding with a nice THUMP to it lol…like turn this one UP 🎶🤣 All these years later and her music STILL feels like that to me and still GOES 🔥 Super talented artist and songwriter, timeless songs…. keep doing YOU Ashanti, don’t listen to a WORD hunnie! 😂 Like my girl Coco Chanel said, “I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at ALL.” Yaaas, lmaooooooooo 🤳🏽💋
Love Ashanti! Her 1st two albums are so good. She needs to hurry up and re-release her debut. I am very interested to hear changed up versions of those songs, especially: Call, Baby, Voodoo, Scared, Rescue and least but not last Movies!!