Having been rested on the bench for a few weeks, The Best You Never Heard returns this week with little known cuts by Ashanti, Monica, UK trio Misteeq as well as LL Cool J. Do you have any suggestions for future instalments? Drop me an email at sam@thatgrapejuice.net

Ashanti – Freedom

Despite the fact that Ashanti’s third studio album 2004’s ‘Concrete Rose’ achieved Platinum status, the record was largely dubbed a commercial failure for the once Princess of Murder INC. That said, I felt as though the LP was Ashanti’s most solid to date and served up what IMO is one of her strongest offerings in the form of ‘Freedom’. Raw, vocally lucid and a welcome change from her expected norm, the song is an awesomely constructed response to her critics.

Listen: Freedom

———————————————–

Monica – Getaway

Listen: Down The Aisle (ft. 112)

———————————————–

Your thoughts: Hit(s) or Miss(es)?

Let me put something out on the table right now. Here is my official response to all these gay rumors going around about myself.

1. Yes I heard the radio interview Fizz did.

2. No I am not upset with him and we do not have beef.

Now, a lot of people seem to believe I am gay. Well I am here to say IT’S NOT TRUE. I have expressed that many many times and frankly if some people can not understand that and still want to be ignorant about the subject matter then so be it. As I said before in a magazine interview and excuse my language, but I love pussy..I love the female body and I just have love for women in general.

I have nothing against the gay community, yes I support them. Why discriminate against someone due to their sexual orientation? I’m not close minded and I’m not stuck in a primitive decade. They have feelings to because they are human just like a hetrosexual male or female. Who is anyone to judge just because others discriminate against it? In a way that’s no different than being a racist. I said in a way..I didn’t say it was exactly the same, so don’t send me messages saying “it’s not the same thing” if u disagree.I have love for everyone even if they do hate my guts.

The Bible says “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5:38-44) ” In my case it’s all love and I do my best to look the other way.

Aside from that, people feel that I am gay because I have performed at the gay pride festival a couple of years ago. Well ya know what, that community is an audience like any other people. Why deprive them of a performance because of their sexual orientation? I am not the only musician who has performed for that group of people. Musicians who are on a bigger status have performed there, so why pinpoint me out and make me out to be the black sheep? Lets also get another thing straight, I never performed at a gay club. I made an APPEARANCE at one club, which means I signed autographs. Again, I’m not going to not fullfill my commitment to a group of people who were willing to come out to visit with me just because of their sexual perference.

Also just because I did the whole mohawk thing, doesn’t mean anything either. I was trying a different look and it certainly grab attention, which was my intention, but who knew it would grab so much negativity. And last but certainly not least, JUST BECAUSE I DID NOAH’S ARC DOES NOT MAKE ME GAY. I did it for the purpose behind the meaning of that particular episode which touched on HIV. Nothing more, nothing less other than receiving a pay check for it.

Do you know how many straight male actors have played gay roles? The Rock, Will Smith, The male actors on Will and Grace, Taye Diggs, Robin Williams, Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Bruce Willis, Marlon Brando, Forest Whitaker, Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.The list goes on, so therefore if they can act in such roles and continue on in life without the world wondering about their sexuality, then why can’t I? If I didn’t feel comfortable with the role then I wouldn’t have taken it. It’s called acting, that doesn’t mean I live that lifestyle.

So please hear me and understand me, I am in no way shape or form a gay male. I have nothing against that community. But I would appreciate it if people would stop with the false accusations. If you just asked me the question in recent times, this is not against you, I’m pointing this out for other purposes.Indeed I do realize majority of the public could careless in what I say and believe what they want, but overall it doesn’t matter because myself, my family and my friends know the real me. If you seem to have an issue with what I stated, then I don’t know what to tell you, but God Bless.

Hmmm…