It’s Murrrrrrrder Again? Ashanti Hooks Back Up W/ Irv Gotti [Audio]

Written By S. Samuel

Former Murder Inc. singer Ashanti has finally reunited with her ex-label's founder Irv Gotti for a new record called "No One Greater."

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Released over the weekend, her new record features production from Gotti plus vocals courtesy of French Montana and Meek Mill.

Just like old times, Ashanti is the R&B centerpiece alongside rap’s hottest names. For the latest single from her forthcoming album BraveHeart – her first in five years – the decorated songstress is paired with Bad Boy’s and Maybach Music’s tough guys, French Montana and Meek Mill, for “No One Greater”. This bass-knocking, synth-heavy number is produced by ‘Shanti’s former Murder Inc. boss, Irv Gotti, who is now apparently on good terms with the singer following their long-standing dispute. BraveHeart will be released sometime in 2013 – much later than the original August 28th date – via Ashanti’s own Written Entertainment imprint. (Soul Culture UK)

Back in May 2009, Gotti spoke on his shaky business relationship with Ashanti and hinted at plans to drop her.

“The relationship has run its course,” Gotti explained in an interview. “The chemistry of what’s needed — we’re in two totally different places. You’re talking to somebody that took her and shaped and molded her and put her out there for the world, and it blew up. We in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest selling debut by a female R&B artist, 503 [thousand]. We did it! My views and philosophies and her views and philosophies is not meeting up…I don’t think she can win. She needs some guidance with that…But she’s not thinking like that. Really, I couldn’t tell you what she’s thinking. So that relationship has run its course and honestly, I’m gonna just drop her.” (MTV)

Prior to their reconciliation, ex-labelmate Ja Rule talked to SOHH and gave his take on their quiet dispute.

“I’ma say it like this, Irv is my brother and I respect his decisions,” Rule told SOHH. “I don’t have any problems with Ashanti. That’s my sister. We’re a family so it’s funny, it’s like my brother and my sister are fighting. You see what I’m saying? It’s a funny thing to me but Gotti is my brother before she was my sister so you take it how you take it. But me and Bon Bon are cool and I got love for her, that’s my sister man..I think me and Bon Bon can coincide and do some records together again. I think we might even be able to hit the road and do some shows…Me and Bonnie don’t have issues, her and Irv have issues and it’s a tough thing you know what I’m saying? He brought her into the family but…me and her never had no real friction at all.” (SOHH)

Irv launched Ashanti’s career around 2002 with the help of former labelmate Ja Rule and Fat Joe.

With hitmaker Irv Gotti at the helm, Ashanti blasted into the urban music scene in 2002, topping the charts with multiple singles at once. She quickly became a sensation, gracing the covers of magazines and dominating urban radio. Ashanti built her reputation with duets, where she would complement an already popular rapper — Ja Rule (“Always on Time”), Fat Joe (“What’s Luv?”), the Notorious B.I.G. (“Unfoolish”) — contrasting the tough-guy male perspective with her own. (All Music)

Check out Ashanti’s “No One Greater” below:

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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