There’s a severely underrated interview scouring the “Innanet” and it’s probably for good reason. In a bombshell interview, the coming-of-age legendary recording artist, Ashanti, addressed the irreverent rantings of her fellow business associate, record label owner and producer Irv Gotti.
The “Happy” singer spoke with Angie Martinez on her podcast, In Real Life (IRL), to let everyone know that “Irv has flat out lied about a lot of things.” In the emotionally triggering interview, Ashanti extended grace to the Murder Inc. founder, politely denouncing the slanderous claims he made about her on his controversial Drink Champs interview.
“I definitely had a genuine love for Irv because he one-hundred percent helped to change my life,” Ashanti said. “You know, I had some of the most amazing times just writing records, touring, making history. You know what I’m saying? Having chemistry with somebody to write these records with…It was like a perfect fit.”
Irv Gotti’s main contention with Ashanti is his control over her music rights — the singer once requested rights to her earlier music to no avail and has resorted to re-recording the award-winning albums instead — and her loyalty to him and the label. While on Murder Inc., which later became The Inc., Ashanti released five studio albums, including Ashanti (2002), Chapter II (2003), Ashanti’s Christmas (2003), Concrete Rose (2004), and The Declaration (2008).
Ashanti attributes cutting ties from the label to Irv Gotti’s mismanagement of their business relationship, which was at the mercy of his emotions, but still gives credit where it’s due.
“Nobody ever discredited you, so why are you going that deep and that hard,” Ashanti questioned.
Some of the claims Ashanti makes are pretty serious from a business standpoint and in the current landscape where powerful people are being “canceled” for abuse of power and misogyny. Not only was Ashanti allegedly blackballed from working with other major producers, signing deals elsewhere, and getting spins from DJs, she also experienced intimidation as she engaged in a relationship with former boyfriend, Nelly.
“There were threats, you know me dealing with Nelly,” Ashanti continued. “Manipulation definitely played a part. Power, flexing, throwing your weight around.”
Speaking out publicly about her personal issues is out of character for Ashanti. However, she believes that her story will add to those who have so bravely paved the way for women to publicly expose the underbelly of patriarchal industries.
Ashanti continued, “I want women to be able to feel comfortable and strong, walk in their purpose and I don’t want women to have to cater or bow down, or feel scared in situations when a man has the power…It’s a scary situation to be in, so I feel like it’s important to defend yourself. I think it’s important to create clarity.”
Despite Ashanti’s blunt revelations, somehow the hip hop and R&B communities are very complacent and tone-deaf about the entire situation, with many of the interviewers laughing the serious allegations off as just hip hop tales or auto-piloting their responses to appear neutral. Nothing is being done to reprimand Irv Gotti’s behavior, at least business wise.
Although hip hop has been begrudgingly accepted for its reputation for disrespecting and degrading women and breaking all the politically correct rules, there’s something to be said for the genre being silent about a grown man preying on a very young woman at the time while married, and then rebirthing the ordeal 20 years later to demonize and humiliate the one that was taken advantage of.
It’s going to take a coalition of women in hip hop and R&B to not only speak out as Ashanti did, but to pursue extensive measures to settle chatty patties like Mr. Gotti, and hold their allies accountable, as well, for providing an irresponsible platform.
It’s nice to see hip hop icons age before our eyes and still maintain relevancy. Still, hip hop needs to pump the breaks on making a joke out of everything as was done on Drink Champs, and for once, do the right thing.
