Ashanti Talks Pursuing Music, Even With Opportunities to Attend Hampton & Princeton

BY Erika Marie 3.7K Views
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The R&B icon has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album all year, and she takes a walk down memory lane.

The public has already crowned Omarion as the "unbothered" king, but he may have met his match. Ashanti has been the talk of Hip Hop for weeks following Irv Gotti and Ja Rule's appearance on Drink champs. Gotti rehashed his prior romance with the Murder Inc singer, leaving many to speculate about whether or not he was truly over the relationship. Although they dated for a time two decades ago, Irv seemed to have unresolved feelings about the split.

Meanwhile, Ashanti has continued to take to stages across the globe as she pushes her career forward. This year marks the 20th anniversary of her eponymous debut studio album, and she caught up with CBS Mornings for a walk down memory lane.

Theo Wargo / Staff / Getty Images

She discussed having full support from her parents who encouraged whatever career path she wanted to take. Even with her loved ones in her corner, Ashanti said she faced doubt, like any other creative.

"With all the support in the world, sometimes you still feel like, 'Well, am I gonna make it? Is it gonna be that big?' I didn't dream that these things would happen," she said.

It was an ambition that came after she rejected opportunities to run track for some of the highest-rated schools in the country. "We had that scholarship for Hampton and Princeton … it's a big deal."

 

Check out her interview with CBS Mornings below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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