Ashanti Single Due Out Soon!

While Ashanti was at the BET Awards, she said in an interview that a new single was to be released and coming sooner than you think. The time frame given then was 2-3 weeks. Which would make the release as soon as soon as July 12th, and as late as July 19th-seeing as though music is normally released on Tuesdays.

Ashanti in the studio with singer songwriter Rico Love.

The single is speculated to be something uptempo, so one can only hope it continues to be that groundbreaking sound that was loved by so many on the Rock/guitar driven "Only U." Bring on July 19th! Are you hyped for Ashanti's return? I'm curious to know, drop a comment below!

Clearly Inspired by The King Of Pop

Michael Jackson has inspired so many current artists. In remembrance and memorial to Michael Jackson, here is a look at a few (in no particular order)...

Britney Spears
Spears has become one of the biggest selling artists in the 2000s and partly because of her tours which feature what many think Spears does best, dance. A lot of her dancing has been influenced from Michael Jackson.

Chris Brown
Brown has been labeled in some cases a younger version of MJ. Once again his dance moves catapult him towards this comparison. At the 2007 MTV VMAs he performed to "Billie Jean," in tribute to MJ.

Justin Timberlake
Timberlake has become another entertainer who's gained many MJ comparisons from his particular dancing. Along with 'N Sync, he even performed with one of his idols, MJ.

Usher
Very similar to MJ, Usher grew up in the spotlight and became the star he is today right in front of the public. As he grew up, his dancing became more respected and appreciated; from his distinctive moves such as his handstand, he's obviously been influenced by MJ.

Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo alike MJ has became a prominent and popular songwriter. As he has been dancing for some time now, he really showed off his MJ moves and swag with the live performances and music video to 2008s "Closer."

Rihanna
While Rihanna isn't really the dancing music superstar, she sampled the MJ made famous "Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa" chant in her hit "Don't Stop The Music." Following, she also used the dark eerie vibe from "Thriller" in her music video to "Disturbia."

Ciara
Unlike many others Ciara has listed both MJ and his younger sister has big influenced to her style of dance. While some label her the new era Janet, in a recent interview with ThatGrapeJuice she actually picked MJ over Janet!

Ashanti
While Ashanti isn't really compared to MJ for her dancing, she was definitely lyrically inspired by The King Of Pop. Her 2003 hit single was titled "Rock Wit You (Awww Baby)" similar to MJs 1979 hit single "Rock With You." She also remixed the song to feature a beat more similar to MJs version and a bridge featuring his lyrics.

Beyonce
Beyonce is one of the biggest females when it comes to putting on a show filled with dance routines and memorable performances. Similar to MJ's moonwalk, Beyonce's dance routine for "Single Ladies" was inspired from a past similar number she saw. She has recently claimed him as one of her heroes.

Omarion
Even though Omarion isn't currently in the spotlight as he used to be, Omarion's dancing has been clearly inspired from MJ. If you watch his videos including "Touch" you can see resemblances to how MJ would effortless move in Omarion as well.

As you can see many artists have been and continue to be influenced and inspired by The King Of Pop. Michael Jackson will stand forever as the guideline of what an ultimate global star is and should be like. And if that statement seems to big for me to make, just look at some of the extremely popular stars who have emulated Jackson in some way, shape or form. [Do you know someone who deserves to be on this list? Drop a comment, and list your name and you will receive credit if added to the list]

R.I.P. Michael Joseph Jackson
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

Irv Drops & Disses Ashanti, For Show Promotion

So, recently Irv Gotti head of Murder Inc./The INC. Records, did a pretty revealing news release video with MTV. In the video he stated that he was honestly just going to drop the current biggest bread winner from his label, Ashanti.

To me personally this comes at a very ironic time, about a year ago Irv was giving radio host Wendy Williams mixed singles when she asked if Ashanti and him have ever been together sexually. Seems like promo for his reality show on VH1, Gotti's Way to me. But OK he did an interview, and that is that. But nearly after a year from Ashanti's fourth album release The Declaration which Gotti didn't play a role in as usual, Irv decides to drop her from The INC. The worst part about this, is that he actually has his second season of his reality show about to premier (unless it just recently did). It really comes off as a way for him to promote himself, more than being wise business wise with his label.

If he was upset and not happy with Ashanti's performance or sales of her last record, would she have been dropped 5 months or so after the album was released. To put that in perspective, the album was released in early June 2008. It is now early May 2009 and he decides to release a pretty harsh video and statements on why he is deciding to drop Ashanti.

I guess the funny thing is that Ashanti fans have been wanting her to leave Murder INC. ever since it's trial back in late 2004-early 2005. But Ashanti stayed loyal to her label, and didn't get out of her contract. The video also features Irv Gotti, trying to take credit for being who made Ashanti the star, and able to sell 503,000 copies of her self titled debut album in its first week. Which actually is a record by debuting female R&B artists. Anyways while the situation was definitely handled in the worst way possible, Ashanti has showed the world what she is capable and I see her having no problem finding a new home, that will promote her albums correctly. And for Irv, good luck with trying to jump start Murder INC again, I mean how long has Ja Rules album been pushed back, 3 years by now! I was always a fan of the label but the shady business of Irv could potentially turn me way off from Murder INC., we'll see.

Hurry Up, Ashanti! New Single Necessary!

So I really think it’s about time that Ashanti release another single off of The Declaration soon. Since she didn’t try to revamp the airplay success of “Good Good,” with a remix, a third single is in order to keep people onto her current album. My personal favorite track from the album by far has got to be “In These Streets.” This could make a good single cause it is catchy mid-tempo song; not to fast or slow.

Though there has been rumors that the choice was once said to be the breakup ridden “So Over You.” And even more recently between “Struggle,” the we’re meant for each other-let’s work things out song and “You’re Gonna Miss,” a positive you’ll never find anyone better song.

While “Struggle,” has been a fan favorite since the albums release in June; the best option for Ashanti in my eyes, would be to release two singles. One aired to R&B radio formats and the other toward Pop formats. This would work out great if Ashanti is deciding between “Struggle,” & “You’re Gonna Miss,” since “Struggle,” would easily suit R&B formats well and “You’re Gonna Miss,” has a Pop vibe to it, perfect for Pop Stations. Not to mention a double video, “Struggle/You’re Gonna Miss” would be a good look for Ashanti as well, something new!

Whatever the single choice is, let’s hurry up and get a single out Ashanti, before people forget how great The Declaration, actually is.


What do you think about "In These Streets," as a single?