ST Lady of Soul Nominations
 

7/23/02, 6 p.m. ET) -- Murder Inc./Def Jam recording artist Ashanti received five nominations Tuesday (July 23) at the eighth annual Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards nominations lunch held at Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills.

In addition to being up for awards for the best solo R&B/soul single, best solo R&B/soul album of the year, R&B/soul or rap song of the year, best solo R&B/soul or rap new artist, and best R&B/soul or rap music video, Ashanti was named as the recipient of the 2002 Aretha Franklin Award as "Entertainer Of The Year" for outstanding achievements in the field of entertainment.

It was also announced that actress Angela Bassett would be presented with the 2002 Lena Horne Award for outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment.

Alicia Keys and the late Aaliyah each received four bids in the same categories, best solo R&B/soul single, best solo R&B/soul album of the year, R&B/soul or rap song of the year, and best R&B/soul or rap music video.

The event, scheduled to air live on August 24 at 8 p.m. ET at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, will be co-hosted by Arsenio Hall, Shemar Moore, and Jill Scott.

Scott, who received four Lady Of Soul Awards last year, told LAUNCH that she volunteered to serve as a co-host for this year's program. "I really kinda searched this one out," Scott said. "I really wanted to do this because I thought that they did me so well last year, really paid attention to what I was doing when a lot of other award shows just didn't. And I felt respected by them, and I wanted to show my appreciation. I thought that I could add some fun and easygoingness, and a little class as well. I just thought it would be a good idea, and here I am."

The following is a complete list of the eighth annual Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards nominees:

BEST R&B/SOUL SINGLE, SOLO
Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat"
Alicia Keys - "A Woman's Worth"
Ashanti - "Foolish"
India.Arie - "Brown Skin"

BEST R&B/SOUL SINGLE, GROUP, BAND, OR DUO
702 - "Pootie Tangin'"
Destiny's Child - "Emotion"
Exhale - "Chillin' In Your Benz"
Isyss featuring Jadakiss - "Day & Night"

R&B/SOUL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, SOLO

Aaliyah - Aaliyah
Alicia Keys - Songs In A Minor
Ashanti - Ashanti
Mary J. Blige - No More Drama

R&B/SOUL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, GROUP, BAND, OR DUO
Allure - Sunny Days
Destiny's Child - Survivor

R&B/SOUL OR RAP SONG OF THE YEAR
Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat"
Alicia Keys - "Fallin"
Ashanti - "Foolish"
Mary J. Blige - "Family Affair"

BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP NEW ARTIST, SOLO
Ashanti - "Foolish"
KeKe Wyatt featuring Avant - "Nothing In This World"
Truth Hurts featuring Rakim - "Addictive"
Tweet - "Oops (Oh My)"

BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP NEW ARTIST, GROUP, BAND OR DUO
Damozel - "Everyday's A Party"
Exhale - "Still Not Over You"
Isyss featuring Jadakiss - "Night & Day"

BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP MUSIC VIDEO
Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat"
Ashanti - "Foolish"
Missy Elliott - "One Minute Man"
Trina - "Told Y'all"

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
CeCe Winans - CeCe Winans
Helen Baylor - My Everything
La Shun Pace - God Is Faithful
Yolanda Adams - Believe

-- Billy Johnson Jr., Los Angeles

It seems like the same people in every catergory...

I've heard of Allure, but the ALBUM?

Who are:Exhale, Iysiss(briefly heard about them), and the other group in the category?

Ummmmmm, just because they are females, do they deserve a nod? :confused:

702 for Pootie Tangin? wasn't that like 2 years ago?

There should not even be nominations for those categories...I mean c'mon!

Ashanti: Entertainer OF THE YEAR?


:confused:

Entertainer of the Year
 

Ashanti as Entertainer of the Year - how in the hell did she manage to snag this award??? Can somebody please 'splain it to me 'cause I'm still "cramming to understand" (MC Lyte style) :confused:

Re: Entertainer of the Year
 

I feel ya FeeFee I am confused also .:confused: I think that that award should go to someone who has at least won a Grammy or something.
________
NIGEL MANSELL

ok, i concur....

ASHANTI ????? :confused: :mad:

WHO ARE THESE ARTIST/ALBUMS THAT ARE NOMINATED?
Trina :eek: for Best R&B/Rap video????? Ok, I know that I don't watch much BET but shoot, after reading the nominations, I felt like an old lady....... scrolling down the list thinking....whatever happended to REAL music....

Ok, one more awards show that i will not be watching.....

Ashanti!!! What in the world is going on? I don't want to take anything away from the sistah but I would think whoever recevies an Aretha Franklin award would have at least two maybe three albums, some type of longevity; like maybe, um Aretha Franklin.

And what's up with India.Aire and Jill Scott?

ASHANTI??!!
 

Okay....did I miss the day she became a REAL artist? I totally disagree with this decision!! What were they THINKING???!! I know there a couple of ARTISTS out there with way more talent and skills than Ashanti!!!:confused: :mad:

MAD ABOUT ASHANTI: Music aficionados are PO'd with Lady of Soul award decision; online petition started.
by Jawn Murray

Ashanti
(Aug. 2, 2002) Some disgruntled fans are completely furious that Soul Train is honoring Murder Inc. recording artist Ashanti with the Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of the Year. In addition to the Franklin Award, Ashanti was also nominated for five other Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, including Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist Solo and Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video. The JaRule protégé’s debut self-titled album was released on April 2, 2002 and has sold nearly 1.5 million copies.

A campaign spearheaded by a Rommel Zamora was begun Wednesday July 31st at PetitionOnline.com and is called Better Candidate For Aretha Franklin Award.

Rommel writes, “We, the undersigned, feel that there are many superior entertainers that are more worthy of this award than Ashanti. It is an insult to other entertainers who are more deserving of this award and Aretha Franklin. Ashanti simply lacks singing ability and stage presence. She doesn't demonstrate the qualities of an entertainer and hasn't been out in the public for a full year.”

So far, nearly 3,000 people have signed their name and comments for the cause, which apparently is only a few days old. Here are some of the things people are saying. Angry #744 Natasha wrote, “This award has to be a joke. When will Don Cornelius get on TV and say "SIKE!!!" I guess the key here is that the award is called the Aretha Franklin Award which means an artist should be able to 1. SING 2. Perform live 3. Be able to sing so that you can perform live!!! Yes, there are more than enough qualified entertainers who should have received this award and if Don Cornelius needs a little help, try: Angie Stone, Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, or India.Arie to name a few. They could have given the Lady of Soul Award to Luther Vandross and I wouldn't have complained! This Ashanti situation does not reflect well on the integrity of this Award Show.”

If that wasn’t enough, #747 Chiantish added, “In the words of Ashanti's record label, listening to this long-sideburns-having fake Aaliyah is like----MURDER!!! She's a professional hook singer and not damn good one I might add. If awards are being given for dumb looking broads who sing hooks for rappers, let's at least give it to one that can sing like Lil' Mo or Faith Evans!”

Throwing fuel on the fire was #670 Barbria who wrote, “Mary J. Blige, Yolanda Adams, Missy Elliott...I could go on and on naming entertainers who deserve this award more than Ashanti. To give her the Aretha Franklin award, an award that SHOULD symbolize longevity, immense talent, and dedication to one's craft, should not be handed out to a GIRL who has only ONE hit album, and a bunch of "hooks" on other artist's songs. Imagine looking back in 5-10 years at her music and whether it has stood the test of time, and would you still want to give her this award?”

But it was #678 Maz who summed up everyone’s sentiments with, “The only award she deserves is for best marketing!”

No matter what happens – and don’t expect Soul Train to renege on her award – the Lady of Soul Awards will air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA on Saturday, August 24.

Please believe that I signed that petition! I can admit that I like Ashanti and damn it, she WAS marketed WELL! I just think that she needs more time to develop. I remember when Mary J. first came out. I KNEW that she could sing outside of the studio. However, as time went on, she developed into an artist that could sing and perform. In time, I think that Ashanti can shine...maybe.

It is all hype. I don't feel that she was set any records. Ok, "Foolish", "What's Love?", and "Always On Time" were on the charts at the same time. However, I only give her credit for "Foolish." Since when do you blow up and get major props for singing a chorus/hook?

THE KEY
 

The key was as redefined said Ashanti was very well marketed. She was number1 for a very long time on 106th and park and she totally help others before her own cd hit the stores (J. Lo, JaR, the fat cat who looks like Big Pun). I believe that some of the younger folks out in the hip-hop world (and this is just my thoughts.....but they might be accurate) are looking for an Aaliyah replacement. I mean they both have that little husky girliefied voice, almost the same hair image only Ashanti's is all real. But all in all I think Mary should have gotten this award now if she can be on VH1 diva's then she should surely be honored in her own backyard.

Why are we surprised????
 

this is one program i will not be watching this year, but i am glad that Angela is receiving an award. she is truly an acting powerhouse!!

That's Wack!
 

I signed the petition too...now they have almost 6,000 signitures...

Re: THE KEY
 

The "replacement" thing may be true because you are not the first to express that thought. I don't know. There can never be a replacement for Aaliyah... only someone to remind us of what we miss. Aaliyah can NEVER be replaced.

And I have to disagree with the hair thing. I believe that Aaliyah's hair was all real. Ashanti has OPENLY admitted that she wears a weave.

Re: THE KEY
 

Ashanti (of all people...She's too generic and needs more time to develop her own sense of musical style...), or anyone else, will never be able to replace Aaliyah. She had a sort of quiet confidence about her and a beautiful aura that I haven't seen in any other R& B female singer on the seen...And I believe most of Aaliyah's hair was hers., not that it matters...

A replacement?
 

Oh surely I believe that Aaliyah guys will never be replaced in addition to Lefteye, JFK, jr. oh and don't let me forget JFK jr. wife my icon of all times MRS. CAROLYN BESSETTE KENNEDY (I watch for class and camelotness) and etc. BUT people will surely like you indicated find someone to remind them of that person and bring them to the top. Redefined my little sister is always buying those hair books (you know the ones you can't help but to pick up when you're waiting the in cashier's line:D :D ) and Aaliyah's hair when she first started out was all hers don't get me wrong she has a good grade of real hair, but when she came out with "Your love is a one ........) she began adding extensions and sometimes even honey colored extensions. Ashanti (I really be looking: I'm the wig, weave queen......takes one to know one) hair is all. But all in all let's give them their props even if we do disagree on that ...... one thing we both can surely agree on is that WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Their hair is elite, flowing, and classy that's what I like. Do you agree?;) ;) ;)

Owhhh! I forgot.
 

I can even see if Jill Scott got this award. I bet alot of you all are not going to agree with this one but what about Sade. Let me know but didn't anyone listen to her when she came out with: love is stronger than pride, no ordinary love, and sweetest taboo. So many deserving artists have gone unnotice (en vogue, monica, brownstone, pebbles, etc.). Seem like the fly by night folks are always pushed further.:confused: :confused: :confused:

I don't see HOw they can give the ARETHA FRANKLIN award to Ashanti BEFORE Mary J. Blige!? Hell, if they wanted to give it to a debut artist with one legitimate CD, how can they justify giving it to her before JILL SCOTT, ALICIA KEYS, or even LAURYN HILL back in 1999?!:confused:

I know marketing is one thing, but the marjoity of Ashanti's #1 hits are as a "featured artist" singing hooks!! I can think of even a few more artists who are deserving (DOES EYRKAH BADU or ANGIE STONE, INDIA.ARIE, etc!) And does anyone know if that award is exclusively for women? Otherwise I can think of a TON OF MEN who are just as deserving! (MAXWELL, LUTHER (he might have one) or dare I say it.....R KELLY)


I mean the entire thing is INSULTING to the record-buying public, but I doubt Soul Train will reconsider, they have already gone public with awarding the honor to Ashanti.:mad:

Hail Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Virtual Violet
[B]I don't see HOw they can give the ARETHA FRANKLIN award to Ashanti BEFORE Mary J. Blige!? Hell, if they wanted to give it to a debut artist with one legitimate CD, how can they justify giving it to her before JILL SCOTT, ALICIA KEYS, or even LAURYN HILL back in 1999?!:confused:

Virtual Violet you're on fire!!!!!!!!
Mary should be getting it....she's gotten me through a many of break-ups, jealous friends (you know the ones you help and they stab you in the back) and midnight cries. She should be getting it...Whitney Houston is super particular about who she sings with she is like Barbra Streisand they both won't dam near sing with anyone even if the $$$ is right but Whitney has sanged a couple of times with Mary.

Can't hold a candle
 

I just don't see this. It is a marketing, not an artistic, nomination. But then again, the Grammys and American Music Awards often, IMO, don't take artistic merit into consideration.

Sidebar: Aretha Franklin has worked in many stylistic idioms. She even did jazz in the 1960s, and her 1960s Atlantic work was the best.

When will Ashanti (and for that matter, people like Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Whitless) do jazz or standards albums? At least Natalie Cole's doing jazz now, and I think someone like Anita Baker could do jazz, great vocal instrument.

Aretha and Natalie have grown as musicians. I just am not seeing that potential for today's singers.

Re: Can't hold a candle
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Steeltrap
I just don't see this. It is a marketing, not an artistic, nomination. But then again, the Grammys and American Music Awards often, IMO, don't take artistic merit into consideration.

Sidebar: Aretha Franklin has worked in many stylistic idioms. She even did jazz in the 1960s, and her 1960s Atlantic work was the best.

When will Ashanti (and for that matter, people like Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Whitless) do jazz or standards albums? At least Natalie Cole's doing jazz now, and I think someone like Anita Baker could do jazz, great vocal instrument.

Aretha and Natalie have grown as musicians. I just am not seeing that potential for today's singers. [/QUOTE

Steeltrap...the new contemporary artist today are really into pleasing the crowd and the $$$$. Anita Baker, Natalie, Sade are more into doing what they love and how they are feeling. That's why we hear sooo much remix going on. What I mean is like all the songs ( well 75% of them) have been re-makes of the old groups like: the police, eurythmics, james brown, psychedelic furs, whodini, diana ross, and alot of motown originators. My husband says it is talent and I tell him it's not.:mad: :mad: Jennifer Lopez when she stated out was dancing all in MC Hammers face when he appeared with Fab 5 Freddy on some show (I can't recall) she did that just to get some recognition now if MC Hammer asked her for a dime she crouk :rolleyes: :rolleyes: in his face. They do whatever to get that recognition.

Just an observation:
It seemed like that was MOST of Aaliyah's hair and also MOST of Ashanti's hair.

I say most for Ashanti because she ALWAYS likes to TOUCH and FEEL it to make sure it's all there. (Sidebar: please perm the sideburns) Just an observation...

:eek: :confused:

Back to the subject:

Okay, if you are going to give out these kind of awards, give them to REAL LEGENDARY people. For instance: Dianne Reeves, Randy Crawford, Chaka, Natalie, etc etc. Not these fly by night remake/remix/ jacking beats queens. They need to take notes from Steve Harvey and the BET Awards when he introduced EW&F.... LEGEND(ARY)

If their material isn't ORIGINAL, let 'em stay in the audience. They may as well start a Mary J. Blige remake achievement award. Don't get me wrong, I loves me some Mary, but ya'll know the chick was/is the REMAKE (jacking beats) QUEEN.

I forgot...The most important thing here is RATINGS! They need ratings, therefore, you have Ashanti and others to take the stage because they are HOT-HOT-HOT right now.

CTFU!!!! :D I am going to have to pay attention to her sideburns. Are we talking "ASHANTI PRESLEY"? :D

CTHU!!!
 

I thought I was the only one that noticed how she loves to check and make sure it's all there!!! I agree that MOST of it may be hers because of old family photos I've seen on TV. I also noticed that her grill is a bit funny and she can't dance a bit, but I'm not perfect either..... ;) :p :D

Re: CTHU!!!
 

Girl, she is always rubbing her hair. It's disgusting! Her grill is kind of funny. She is pretty when she smiles, but when she tries to do that "sexy, seductive" look, she looks a little crazy. All in all, she is attractive. The funny thing is that I don't understand why she can't dance since she claims to have taken dance since she was 2 months old. Go figure.

True dat!!!! But still...
 

Everytime (during performances) it seems like her hand is always in her head, as if to hold on. :confused:

I've seen those old photos too.

She reminded me of how "Gina" (T. Martin) always moved her "hair" out of her face on Martin. especially if she had that "bob" or a longer style/wig/weave going on. That used to burn me up! All of that was not necessary... Watch the repeats, you'll see.

:cool:

Edit:
Wasn't she supposedly a dancer in somebody's video?

LOL
 

It's like the poor chile is stuck on three moves.
1) touch hair
2) Point down
3) hands on hips or thighs

Then the cycle repeats!:rolleyes:

I'm still on fire!
 

My comments continue.....


The way I see it we need to look at who the award is named after...ARETHA FRANKLIN!! Her name is synonymous with SAAANGIN' and LONGEVITY!!

Neither of which Miss Ashanti has at this point. For God's sake, they gave the award to PATTI LA BELLE, last year!!

Now we all know Ashanti couldn't carry Patti's FIVE INCH PUMPS, much less carry a tune like Patti! I mean, they could have handed that award to BRANDY, or MONICA, etc..before Ashanti!? At least those girls have more than ONE CD and have been around for a fair number of years!!


If Soul Train wants to, what they should do is establish a new artist award. (They could name is after Aaliyah perhaps?) Then they can justify giving an award to anyone with only one CD to her credit!!!:mad: :mad:

Does anyone smell a rat here?! hmmmmm.....

Re: I'm still on fire!
 

I smell a big Mickey Mouse sized rat! Y'all know that it has been speculated that some labels pay for their artists to be played on the radio over and over and over..... again. Could it be that Irv Gotti slipped Don a ten spot? I mean, you know that Soul Train hasn't been the same in years.......

Re: LOL
 

See, I knew I wasn't the only one who got sick and tired of Ashanti's three moves. I told my fiance the other day while watching her "Happy" video that I was sick of seeing her touching her hair.

Thanks Ladies!!!!:D :D :p

Re: Re: CTHU!!!
 

Who in the HELL can dance @ the age of 2months!?!!?!?! Aren't most of us still sleeping and crying then. :confused: :confused: :eek: :mad: :confused: BOOOOOOOOO ASHANTI. . . your dancing suuuuuuucks.

Lady of soul awards
 

I cannot see Ashanti receiving such a prestigous award. She has not been on the scene long enough and her sound is all digital. Has anyone ever herar her perform live? She SUCKS!!! :confused: I dont know who they have nominating these people but they need some serious help.

The drama unfolds this weekend. Check E! ET, CNN, et. al. for details. :p

I won't be watching the awards but I will be watching E!...besides they do so much editing on those shows you never get to see what really happened; you'd just have to hear about it. Unless you actually go.

Re: Re: I'm still on fire!
 

I've heard many artist and record execs say that this happens a lot. One of my professors co-owns an independent label. He said he couldn't compete with the other labels because of how much money they were paying the radio stations. This award could have been given to her through a deal, so that it would give her career a boost. IMO, I think Mary should have won this award. Shes been in the business a while, and when she sings, she sings with all of her soul. At least she gives people something to watch!

I do not know about your channels, but it's on right now. I've missed the beginning.
I'm :mad: that BB3 isn't on, b/c of some dayum football. :mad:

I'm also watching it right now. She's giving her speech. AKA2d '91, BB3 has been on for the past couple of minutes.

Ashanti hasn't won anything other than that Aretha Franklin Award. I wonder if they did that on purpose...hmmm....

Also, it seems that ALOT of people are conveniently absent from this awards show....That's something else to think about.

Ashanti hasn't won anything other than that Aretha Franklin Award. I wonder if they did that on purpose...hmmm....

Also, it seems that ALOT of people are conveniently absent from this awards show....That's something else to think about.

Does anybody (thats in NY) on the board know what channel it came on?