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Post by Desaree on Feb 19, 2013 7:12:13 GMT -5
"Good morning, everyone, this is Rob Mohr and you're tuned into WNYX, New York's only station for hip-hop and R&B. We're here in the studio with the beatiful and talented Miss Ashanti. How you doing this morning, sweetie?"
I smiled before adjusting the microphone in front of me. "I'm good, Rob. What about you?"
"I'm great. I know you have a lot to do today, so let's get right to it. Ummm... Written Entertainment. That's your record label. Tell me, what's that like?"
"Ummm, it's amazing. You know, I was with The Inc for so long, and before that I was with Jive and Noontime so I was always sorta trapped behind what they wanted me to do, you know what I mean? So this is incredible, you know. It's like I'm the boss, me and no one else. The last album, The Declaration, I completed all by myself, but it wasn't the same as, you know, owning a label. It feels good."
"Alright, and Army Wives. Tell us a little about that."
"Army Wives... Army Wives airs March tenth, make sure y'all tune into that. That's all I'm gonna say. Y'all have to watch the show."
Rob and I laughed before he announced a quick break.
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 22, 2013 11:52:10 GMT -5
During the break I got a chance to chat with the hosts about some things we may not have been able to air.
"Okay we are back on WNYX, with the lovely Ashanti. Before the break we discussed her record label. So Ashanti is there anything new coming in 2013? I know you have a CD am I right?"
"Yes you are correct."
"So tell us about that."
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Post by Desaree on Feb 22, 2013 21:55:50 GMT -5
"The album is called Braveheart, and it's super dope. I've definitely grown a lot since the last album. My style has expanded a little. Of course, I hooked up with R. Kelly and a few other artists, along with some dope producers."
"You want to give us a little preview?"
"Uh uh, boo boo." I laughed. "But I will say that there are some tracks that I love on there. There's one called R.I.P and it's really, you know, visual. Then there's Paradise, which is basically a huge metaphor, and a song called Hero."
"You made a song with Keyshia Cole, Woman to Woman. Will that be on the album?"
"We actually don't know yet. We're thinking about making it a single, though."
"What about your man?"
"My man?"
"Don't play, Ashanti. I'm talking about Nelly."
I burst into laughter. "No, ummm... Nelly's not on the album."
"Well, what's up with y'all? You two still seeing each other?"
"I mean, we've been to dinner, a few movies, you know? I'm single and he's single. We're just friends."
"I guess, Ashanti. Do you plan on releasing another single before the album drops?"
"I'm kind of debating that. There's definitely one that I want to put out, but I'm not sure. It'll definitely be on the album, though."
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 0:00:31 GMT -5
"Okay that sounds good, I'll definately be looking forward to that. Well that's it on the show this morning, but we won't let you go away with out a little something something. Ashanti will be having a meet and great after an press conference here in New York. In the next hour two lucky winners will have the chance to win access into the event and meet Ashanti herself. This is a chance of a lifetime so after the song the lines will be open to call away. We're gonna take it back to old school Ashanti with "Baby." Don't forget to call. It's been good to have you on the show Ashanti."
"Thank you."
"Okay New York let's do this!"
Baby started playing before the callers could win access to the meet and greet.
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 7:31:52 GMT -5
"Alright," Rob said once the song ended. "In order to win. You have to answer to one simple question. Let's go. Shany, you wanna take the first call?"
"Sure. Hey, you're on air with Rob Mohr and Ashanti. What's your name and where you from?"
"I'm Kim from Brooklyn."
"Alright, Kim from Brooklyn, I'ma need you to answer this simple question. What are the names of my two dogs?"
"Okay, ummm... I know this one... Nini.... Nini and Tutu?"
"That's right!" I laughed as Kim started screaming at the top of her lungs. "Why are you screaming."
"Oh, my God! Thank you."
"No, thank you for being such a dedicated fan. We're gonna get back at you later with all the details."
"Okay. Love you, Ashanti."
"I love you too."
I hung around the studio for about thirty more minutes before it was time to choose another winner.
"Hey, hey, hey, you're on air with Ashanti and Rob Mohr. What's your name and where you from?"
"Desaree, from Florida."
"Okay, baby girl. This question will be a little tougher than the last one. You ready?"
"Of course, I'm your biggest fan."
"Okay, confidence is on ten thousand! So, what type of scholarship did I turn down to pursue my singing career?"
"That's easy. Track and field."
"That's right, Desaree."
She also started screaming at the top of her lungs. "Oh, my God. Okay, I gotta stay cool. You're my role model, Ashanti."
"Awww, thanks. I'll have to remember to give you a big hug at the meet and greet," I laughed before we said out goodbyes. "Alright, it's been fun, but I gotta get to the gym," I said. "Hopefully, I'll get a chance to do this again, though. I'm out for now. Holla!"
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 12:25:19 GMT -5
I was so hungry after my radio interview so I decided to hit up Kelis and ask her to join me at Masa one of the top New York sushi restaurants. I walked in and Kelis was already at the sushi bar waiting for me.
"Hey honey." She said giving me a hug. "How are you?"
"Hungry." I laughed. "No I'm good I just finished my interview with WNYX."
"What? How did it go? Tell me everything."
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 13:27:05 GMT -5
"It was cool. We talked about the album, Army Wives... Some people won chance to meet me in a few days."
"Cool."
"So, what's up? What's the plan for today?"
"I'm chillin'. You?"
"I don't know. I'll probably hang out with Shia, go the studio, write music, you know?"
"Or call Nelly?"
"No, I'll pass on that one."
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 15:27:58 GMT -5
"Girl you know that's your boo."
"We are just friends that's all."
"You know damn well I don't believe any of that."
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 15:31:27 GMT -5
"You have the right to assume whatever you want to assume."
"I know. How's Shia doing?"
"Great."
"Tina and Ken-Kaide?"
"Same."
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 15:43:26 GMT -5
"That's good."
"So how's Knight I haven't seen him in so long."
"That little boy is a mess. He's just super active that all, but overall good."
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 15:56:14 GMT -5
"You'll have to bring him to my house sometime. Maybe when Aliyah and Aliajah are there."
"I'll try."
I looked at the time on my phone, updated my Twitter status, then decided it was time to head on over to the studio. "Well, Kelis, I have to go. I have to get to the studio, the gym, make dinner..."
"Okay, I'll get up with you later."
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 16:05:59 GMT -5
Having money is nice, but I still enjoy getting stuck in New York traffic. Nothing beats reminding yourself of old times. After being in traffic for almost two hours I finally made it to the studio. Everyone was inside putting in serious work.
"Hey everyone." I said when I arrived.
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 17:14:56 GMT -5
"Wassup, Shany?" Seven Aurelius asked as he gave me a hug. As usual, I was the only female in the studio. I embraced the rest of the guys before asking what they were up to.
Seven turned on a beat before speaking. "We're all writing to this."
Thebeat was slow, but it was drum-heavy and melodic. I could definitely work with it. I sat next to Sev at the soundboard and took a pen and my notebook out of my purse, then got to work.
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 18:00:45 GMT -5
After a few hours of writing I finally had something I felt comfortable enough to record. I was only going to do a test today, but I was pretty sure I had a hit.
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 18:07:17 GMT -5
"What you got, Bon-Bon?" Sev asked, looking over my shoulder at my book. He quietly read a few lines before saying, "That's dope, Shan."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, that bridge is hot. Let me see what everyone else has, though, before I let you get in the booth."
Since writing was second-nature to me, it was nothing for me to push out a song. That talent didn't come as easily for anyone else in the studio, though. I was the only with a full song.
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 18:15:31 GMT -5
After looking it over for a few minutes everyone decided I should record the bridge first and see how it works with the beat.
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 18:27:04 GMT -5
I recorded the bridge twice in two different octaves, and the reception it got from the guys was crazy. Sev gave me the okay to record the rest of the song, too. When I finished recording the song, Sev mixed a few parts,a edited it a little bit, then played it for us.
"Yup, it's bangin'," I said, nodding my head to the beat. Seven was definitely a talented producer.
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Post by ladytoodee44 on Feb 23, 2013 19:02:56 GMT -5
We decided to call it quits for the night. I looked at the time before I left at it was nine o'clock, I didn't realize it had gotten so late. I quickly ditched the idea of cooking dinner and decided I would order out tonight and just work out for an extra hour tomorrow since I didn't get a chance to hit the gym.
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Post by Desaree on Feb 23, 2013 19:08:16 GMT -5
When I got home that night, Shia, my mom, my dad, my cousin Aliyah, and my Godson Aliajah were all there. I was greeted by a series of hugs, and attacked by Nini and Tutu. I picked Nini up and went upstairs. Shia followed me up.
"I'm not cooking tonight," I said as she sat next to me on the bed. "I think I wanna do a Ustream."
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