Spring Break
Hip-Hop princess lives the dream
Knight Ridder Tribune
Issue date: 3/3/03 Section: Features
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There is something about the simplicity of Ashanti's lyrics, the purity of her voice and the catchiness of the groove that makes her music irresistible.
"Her music is hot. She's like Mary J. Blige, she has a nice blend of R&B and hip-hop to her music," says Kim Osorio, editor of the Source magazine. She's been able to succeed on a rap label with music that appeals to an R&B audience.
For her sophomore album, scheduled to drop this summer, Ashanti wants to show her range. There is a reason why gospel stars Yolanda Adams and the Clark Sisters are her idols: Ashanti sings along to their records, too.
"I need more room," she says. On her debut, "there wasn't a lot of room to do all the runs and the ad-libs."
But for now, hip-hop's princess is getting the royal treatment. Gotti recently bought his new star a Mercedes-Benz to sit in the driveway of the Long Island home on which she is about to go to settlement.
"This is something I always wished and prayed for her," says Tina Douglas. "Sometimes I have to pinch myself. But you know what? If Shani said, `Ma, I'm tired,' I'd say, `Let's go.' And we'd move forward from there."
"Her music is hot. She's like Mary J. Blige, she has a nice blend of R&B and hip-hop to her music," says Kim Osorio, editor of the Source magazine. She's been able to succeed on a rap label with music that appeals to an R&B audience.
For her sophomore album, scheduled to drop this summer, Ashanti wants to show her range. There is a reason why gospel stars Yolanda Adams and the Clark Sisters are her idols: Ashanti sings along to their records, too.
"I need more room," she says. On her debut, "there wasn't a lot of room to do all the runs and the ad-libs."
But for now, hip-hop's princess is getting the royal treatment. Gotti recently bought his new star a Mercedes-Benz to sit in the driveway of the Long Island home on which she is about to go to settlement.
"This is something I always wished and prayed for her," says Tina Douglas. "Sometimes I have to pinch myself. But you know what? If Shani said, `Ma, I'm tired,' I'd say, `Let's go.' And we'd move forward from there."