Petition Against Ashanti
 

This just in on the Russ and Olivia show, there is a petition against ASHANTI receiving the ARETHA FRANKLIN Entertainer of the YEar from Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards.

Arguably her album is selling but it is not a stellar CD. Remember back in 2000, everyone and I do mean everyone was plugging Jill Scott's CD amd deservably so because girlfriend is NOT a studio artist; she puts on a heck of a concert; in other words she is an entertainer.

At any rate, there is a petition where you can sign your name to if you are so inclined to have them rethink the Ashanti nomination.

http://www.petitiononline.com/junjun/petition.html

When they first said petition on Russ and Olivia show, there were 800 signatures. . . now 20 minutes later close to 1300.

I just signed the petition, and now there's close to 1700 signatures!

Oh my gosh...there are now over 1900 signatures. She shouldn't be nominated for any awards, especially not one with Aretha Franklin's names attatched to it. Since when do no talents like Ashanti win recognition in less then a year of launching their first (weak) album.

I just signed it myself, and it's now up to 1969 signatures!! I'm sending this to everyone I know!!! I don't like Ashanti!!!

There are now 2145 signatures. I am sending this out to everyone that I can think of. She just doesn't deserve it.

Even if they get 5000 sigs (which they probably will by the end of the day at the rate they are being posted) , do you think Soul Train will actually change their minds and give it to someone who is definately more deserving? How many sigs do you think they would have to get in order to change it?

I just signed...she is alright but not worthy of that award.........

I voted... my number was 2266!

I heard the topic on Russ and Olivia as well... I don't know what is becoming of Soul Train - they seem to honor fly by night artists these days instead of the long standing divas.

I just signed too! AND I'm listening to Down Ass Chick wondering who in their right mind nominated Ashanti?

Just my $19.13 worth
 

IMHO, Aretha doesn't even deserve to receive such an award much less have it named after her. She models what NOT to do as an entertainer. So maybe it is appropriate for Ashanti to receive it. ;)

Good evening ladies,

I am #4169 to sign the petition.


sincerely,
blacknproud

Re: Just my $19.13 worth
 

I can agree with you about Aretha, but I guess it's the "Entertainer of the Year" part that has me puzzled. I don't think an artist that just released their freshman album that hasn't exactly blown away the charts can hardly be considered for such an award.

I just singned myself and I agree that, although Ashanti has SOME talent, she does not deserve to win such an award. If she does, then I feel that people like JILL SCOTT were definitely cheated (because Jill can write AND she can blow). Heck, I'd give the award to Alicia Keys first (and I'm not really into her). I'll also ask, what's going to happen once 5000 or more signatures are on that petition? Does this mean that they WON'T give her the award? Oh yeah, and WHO nominated and voted anyway, because I surely don't recall getting any emails, letters, or calls asking me what my vote would be?

I have to play devil's advocate here.

Ashanti's not the best artist in the world--but this award is going to Entertainer of the year, not Artist of the year. I really don't believe that a simple nomination warrants a petition. Ashanti has had 4 top 10 singles in a 4 month period. She's obviously doing something right that people are enjoying. This uproar reminds me of the Alicia Keys backlash after she (undeservedly IMO) won 5 grammy awards. All of a sudden, she was nothing more than a 1 (or 2) hit wonder when before, she was receiving nothing but praise.

Hmm...

Well, sisterfriends, to stir it up a bit more... think over the last 12 months and come up with who you think would be worthy of the nomination....

My thoughts off top:
1. Angie Stone
2. Brandy

Anybody else?

Well, I'm not that fond of Ashanti. She's a very pretty girl, but I don't think she sings all that well and I would rate her album generic at best.

HOWEVER...

When you really think about it, what female solo artists have been making moves this year? As far as SOLO artists, there have really just been a lot of new faces... vets like Brandy, Monica, Jill, etc. were kinda quiet until very recently so that left room for the newcomers (Ashanti, Amerie, Sharissa...). When you really think about it, the biz is male-dominated, and most females seem to be associated with groups. I agree that Angie Stone or Alicia Keys would be more worthy - but you have to consider that the pool of nominees isn't really all that big if you're just talking about THIS YEAR.

All that said, I did sign the petition. ;)