Ashanti: The Princess Returns to Reign

Ashanti debuts her new sound for celebrity friends and the music industry's finest

By Charreah Jackson


(April 23, 2008—New York City) Ashanti unveiled her new sound and sassy style
at R&B Live last night, as stars and the music industry's elite
looked on, including rappers Q-Tip, Free and Flo Rida and actor Anthony
Anderson.

After a four-year break the singer is back with her third album Declaration,
set to be released in June. The singer sauntered out to some of her
biggest hits and belted out her new single "The Way I Love You" and
other new songs. Ashanti's sultry strut as she asks the men in the
room, 'what would you do if I was your girlfriend?' let the crowd know
this girl-next-door is all grown up.

“I think the best moments
honestly are just going on stage at a venue and I am able to hold the
mic in the air and the building is singing the hook," she told ESSENCE.
"I think it's a wonderful feeling and it's such a great
accomplishment.”

PHOTOS: Ashanti's Performance with Celebrity Friends

Eric Nicks,founder/owner of First Class Entertainment, Ashanti and
Shanti Das, executive vice president of Universal/Motown and co-founder
of R&B Live are all smiles as Ashanti prepares to take the stage.


Ashanti's excitment is contagious as she strikes a pose with Gayle King.

"I just want to be remembered as the girl who always kept it real—
lyrically," Ashanti told ESSENCE. "Everything I am writing, I do to
just have people enjoy my music and have them realize that they are not
the only one dealing with certain things. If people don't have the
courage to say or talk about certain things, they can put on a record
of mine and it'll explain the whole thing.


BET’s Alicia Renee, Gayle King and Ashanti share a laugh back stage.

How she looking funny so, maybe da dey make up, she also look like she na gain weight too

yeah the make up looks plenty.. and she looks lighter too...

I was nnever really into her

Sugar wrote:

I was nnever really into her

I'm not that much into her either, but I might check out the CD.