Why is Ashanti so underrated?

Yeah Ashanti Irv and Ja Rule were a hit making machine. Ashanti had been in the industry since she was a kid so she knew what would work. Ashanti has still had a huge career, she broke records in the early 2000s. But Murder Inc dissolving really brought an abrupt end to that ride she was on.

Agreed, OP. And she's beautiful to look at, as well.

She isn't a bad actress, either; she was on the last one or two seasons of [italic]Army Wives,[/italic] and was quite believable.

And what about Miss Ciara? I ask you. And Toni Braxton? And Esperanza Spalding and Andra Day and the gorgeous Rose White?

Ashanti, Aaliyah, Ciara, Brandi, Mya, Tweet, Monica, etc. All of these one-named Black girls from the late-90s and early-00s were all interchangeable and quickly forgotten.

Just like Britney, Christina, Jessica, Mandy and all the one-name white girls from the same era r4.

Brandi is a legend. Don't diss Brandi. And Ciara is everyone's best girl when we get to see her. I love her.

Amerie is another underrated R&B artist.

[quote] Ashanti, Aaliyah, Ciara, Brandi, Mya, Tweet, Monica, etc. All of these one-named Black girls from the late-90s and early-00s were all interchangeable and quickly forgotten.

This only applies to Mya, Tweet and Ashanti. Though Ashanti is a songwriter and deserves her credit.

Brandy, Aaliyah and Monica debuted in the mid-90s and enjoyed success until the early 2000s. Brandy was in a popular sitcom Moesha and was in movies and had her own Barbie doll. So she was pretty big in her own right. Brandy's last hit album was in 2004 and her hit-and-run ruined her career. Aaliyah died in 2001, so we don't know if her music career would have lasted longer but she was getting booked for Hollywood roles.

Ciara debuted in the mid-2000s and was successful until 2013. She's still pretty well-known today and in her heyday, she was serious competition for Beyoncé and Rihanna.

[quote] Just like Britney, Christina, Jessica, Mandy and all the one-name white girls from the same era

These girls do not have the same ounce of talent either. Aaliyah, Ciara and Mya can outdance them. Brandy, Tweet and Monica can outsing them. Ashanti can write songs.

Because she's not overrated.

Who? Seriously, I never even heard of her before she was killed. (She was the one in the plane crash, right?)

That was Aaliyah. Ashanti is still alive.

No Madonna was the one who died in a plane crash. In 2005. RIP

It's her voice on the Murder Remixes of "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny". J Lo speak-sings the verses, but the rest is Ashanti.

Fun Fact: Ashanti, Ciara, Trina, Fantasia, E.V.E., Michelle Williams, Martha Wash, Jody Watley, Lizzo and Faith Evans have all guest judged on RPDR. Amber Riley, Jordin Sparks, Mel B, Vanessa Williams, Deborah Cox, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ms. Minaj, Chaka Khan, The Pointer Sisters and the great Natalie Cole too!!❤️

And lots of white girl singers too.

No real “it” factor. Got lucky when those Murder Inc. rap/r&b duets became of-the-moment pop.

Any of her hits could’ve also been a JLo hit (and probably vice versa).

Or Tamia.

Ashanti isn't much of a singer but she still can carry a tune better than no-talent J. Ho

[quote]Any of her hits could’ve also been a JLo hit (and probably vice versa).

Yeah except J.Lo never wrote a damn thing so she had no hits to give away! Tommy Mottola called up Irv Gotti to give J.Lo those hits to get back at Mariah hunny. Ashanti was the person who wrote those hooks. Ashanti had been floating around record labels for years as teen artist so she knew how to crank out a hook.

Ashanti had so many hits during that period, she couldn't even keep them all for herself. I forget the numbers, but she had at least 3-4 singles charting in top ten simultaneously. So it only made sense for her to donate them those in need, while making a mint at the same time.

R17: Tamia is great and has always kept her voice, 25+ years on. Her albums can be hit and miss but she’s got a good 20-30 great songs.

Aaliyah died, Ashanti got screwed over with Murder Inc. and Monica, Brandy, Keri, Ciara and Keyshia just made stupid mistakes. Beyoncé and Rihanna truly got lucky as they lacked competition. It was definitely not because they're more talented but due to industry politics and being at the right places at the right time.

^ Yes, to a degree. But that's true of everyone. At most anytime. Rihanna and Bey got more than lucky. They're special performers. In videos and on stage. Beyonce is one the great vocalists of the last 20 years, no matter if DL believes it or not. Her vocal tone doesn't please everyone, but her astounding talent and finesse is what most fans hears. Nobody says nothing bad about Rihanna. Except here. She's not a great singer. Her music is always good and she's way too cool. The sweetest to her fans. Not only on Instagram. AND she's a far better singer than she used to be. Cuz she wanted to be. She won the game, is moving on.

Ashanti ain't broke. WE love her too.

[quote]Beyonce is one the great vocalists of the last 20 years

[quote] Ashanti got screwed over with Murder Inc.

Ashanti was Irv's mistress. Even without his criminal activity, her career would have been dead anyway if it ended badly. She needed them to be relevant.

Are we sure Ashanti is not still performing duties for Jlo on her most recent songs??

While I agree Ashanti was very much of-the-moment. So was J. Lo. Yet Hennifer still gets film roles, releases hit songs and hogs up the media attention. J. Lo kept her career going by being an attention whore, hooking up with famous men and showing off her body and ass.

Ashanti is a good songwriter and while she has a tiny voice, she can sing well enough for the type of music she makes. I wouldn't mind if Ashanti had a comeback because Hennifer needs to go.

[Quote] Beyoncé and Rihanna truly got lucky as they lacked competition.

Jay is the lucky one.

Underrated?

She couldn't hit a note with a hammer, with that flat ass voice.

And she was quite the bitch back in the day herself as well.

[Quote] And she was quite the bitch back in the day herself as well.

Feel free to elaborate.

Watch her episode of Punkd for reference R29.

Cunty with a capital C.