Jill Scott, Arsenio Hall, and Destiny Child’s Kelly Rowland are just some of the artists who defended Ashanti at this years’ controversial Lady of Soul Awards recently held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California.
Ashanti, the newly crowded Princess of R&B who blazed the music scene earlier this year with hit duets alongside rappers Ja Rule, and Fat Joe caused a stir when Soul Train organizers decided to honor her with the coveted 2002 Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of the Year.
More than 20,000 signatures were gathered on an Internet petition criticizing the decision to give the 21-year-old singer who has sold more than 2.3 million copies of her self-titled debut album, such a prestigious acclaim. Rommel Zamora, a California high school student launched the petition in July when he typed out a modest 116-word petition, entitled “Better Candidate for Aretha Franklin Award on petition online. Drawing the attention of TV and radio stations, Zamora’s cyber statement read. “Ashanti simply lacks singing ability and stage presence. It is an insult to other entertainers who are more deserving of this award…..”
His suggested alternates included Faith Evans, Alicia Keys, India.Arie and Aaliyah. The statement which he claims he wrote in boredom immediately prompted a bizarre diatribe from Soul Train organizers who dismissed the 15-year-old as a “grossly, uninformed moron,” firing back with disparaging remarks about Zamora and his supporters on its Web site SoulTrain.com.
Scott, winner of the Aretha Franklin Award for 2001, who hosted the event along with Arsenio Hall and Shemar Moore stressed backstage the purpose of the award was not to compare the recipient’s voice to Franklin’s. “The award says, ‘For outstanding achievement,’ And Ashanti, achieved, outstandingly this year. Part of it, I understand because it is Aretha Franklin. That’s scared to us vocally. But that is not what the award says. That’s where the difference lies. So, I understand the controversy.” Scott also spoke of her disappointment that her planned tribute to the late Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash last year, was cut due to time constraints. She had planned to read a poem she wrote about Aaliyah, who won awards for best R&B/soul single, solo R&B/soul or rap song of the year, for “Rock The Boat,” but said she was unsure if she would perform or publish the writing elsewhere. “I wrote it specifically for her and for this, so to read it anywhere else I don’t think so.” Although other artists like Evander Holyfield, Truth Hurts and Amerie declined to comment on the Ashanti petition, Arsenio Hall who read a tribute in memory of deceased R&B singer Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes claimed she rightfully deserved the accolade. “Ashanti had the “number’ that got her award.” Hall commented referring the units her album sold. “Some people choose based on their personal taste, the bottom line is that she has a great number and it’s a business. It’s not entertainer of the decade or a lifetime achievement award. It’s who has made an impact this year and in the R&B community there is no denying it Ashanti has. It’s about making a show and we are taking it all a little bit too seriously.” Kelly Rowland spoke on subject stating. “Every artist always reaches a rock in their career and she (Ashanti) has gone over this very good and I wish her all the best in her career”.
Ashanti, who was also bestowed with the evening’s best new artist award, did not directly address the flack and was among a number of artists that performed on the show including openers Nelly and Kelly Rowland who performed “Dilemma” the first song from her solo debut project titled “Simply Deep.” Truth Hurts, CeCe Winans, Isyss featuring Jadakiss, LovHer, and Scott also made spectacular performances. Angela Bassett was presented with the 2002 Lena Horne Award For Outstanding Career Achievements In The Field Of Entertainment and actors Robert DeNiro and Lawrence Fishburne both saluted her with a moving speech after which a medley of clips from her movies were played. Her breakthrough role as Tina Turner in 1993’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” garnered her acclaim, respect and an Oscar nomination. Since then, she has consistently showcased her brilliant skills in a number of film and television projects. Designed to celebrate the achievements of female recording artists exclusively, the Lady Of Soul Awards is the only awards show concept of its kind currently in existence.
