The Real Reason We Don't Hear About Ashanti Anymore

Ashanti was everywhere in the early aughts, scoring huge hits as a solo artist and as a collaborator with rappers like Ja Rule. The Grammy winner was on top of the charts and on top of her game, but then she seemingly disappeared into thin air. Here's why we don't hear much from Ashanti anymore. Murder Inc. Records released Ashanti's wildly successful self-titled debut album in 2002. Dubbed a "music powerhouse" by VH1, the label spawned a slew of hits and when it backed Ashanti as its first R&B artist, she immediately hit the spotlight. Ashanti debuted at Number 1 on both the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album's first single, "Foolish," became a Number 1 hit too, spending ten weeks at the top of both charts. Ashanti quickly became a bonafide superstar and released three more albums with the label. Two out of the three went platinum. But Ashanti's future prospects nearly disappeared when the label's top brass were arrested in connection with a major drug sting. According to Spin, founders Irv and Christopher Gotti were charged with laundering more than $1 million through several businesses. Ashanti and the label parted ways in 2009, and the superstar went dark. Though fans were hungry for new music, she wouldn't release an album for another 5 years. Watch the video for The Real Reason We Don't Hear About Ashanti Anymore! #Ashanti #JaRule #MurderInc Her label crushed her plans | 0:00 Out on her own | 1:21 Almost missing a hit | 2:01 Battling a stalker | 2:47 Switching it up | 3:28 Not bringing in the fans | 4:01 Still making music | 4:35