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?!
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.
