the chal banz blog

So word on the street is that Ashanti is secretly dating The Game. I read a story last night on another online blog and I believe it. I remember this same blog posted a screenshot of Ashanti liking one of Game's infamous underwear selfie pics. If that's not enough Game was said to be overheard but not seen on Ashanti's Snapchat, the same was said about Game. Both artists were visiting a club in L.A. Ashanti has been spending a lot of time in L.A. as of recently. Her sister has a place there and she's doing a lot of business over there. I think she's signed a record deal to one L.A. based label but don't quote me on that. It would be interesting if Game and Ashanti are dating though given their past history. Both artists recorded for labels that were once foes, Murder Inc. & G-Unit. While most of the beef has been patched up over the years there's still some ill feelings between Ja Rule & 50 Cent, Irv Gotti & Ashanti, and Game and 50 Cent. Asha...

It's the battle of the R&B Divas. The Battle of the R&B Divas will basically profile two R&B Divas and the origin of their beef and where it stands today, if it's been resolved or what have you. Tonight I'm profiling Keyshia Cole & Ashanti. There were always rumors of a rift to between Keyshia Cole and Ashanti but it was very seldom brought up until years down the road. Keyshia Cole and Ashanti shocked fans when they did a duet for the title track for Keyshia Cole's album, "Woman To Woman". Of course everyone wanted to know how they hooked up and according to Ashanti, they were in the same studio working next door to one another. Ashanti says Keyshia came in and said "yo I got this record I want you to hear". And Ashanti said it was "dope" and she said a few weeks later, they were recording. When it came time for Ashanti to promote her album, "Braveheart" a year later after their duet, Ashanti says she was told b...

He was born Irving Lorenzo and he spearheaded one of the more recent rap clicks, The Inc aka Murder Inc. He is responsible for introducing us to artists such as DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Lloyd, and may more. Outside of his production ventures, Irv had a reality show, "Gotti's Way" on VH1 and he is also known for his criminal past and numerous arrests. Check out the list of songs that Irv Gotti has been responsible for over the years: Ain't It Funny(Remix), Jennifer Lopez feat. Ja Rule Down 4 U, Ja Rule feat. Vita, Charli Baltimore, and Ashanti Rain On Me, Ashanti Can I Get A..., Jay-Z feat. Ja Rule & Amil What's My Name, DMX Hot Spot, Foxy Brown Vita, Vita, Vita, Vita What's Luv, Fat Joe feat. Ashanti Me & My Boyfriend, Toni Braxton Charlie, Charli Baltimore Come Back In One Piece, Aaliyah feat. DMX Da Thugs, Krayzie Bone Gangsta Lovin', Eve feat. Alicia Keys Get Away, Christina Milian How We Roll, Big Pun Infatuated, Memphis Bleek ---------------- No...

There was such a huge liking for Jazmine Sullivan's debut album, "Fearless" but I never really got into it. I did like the singles though. The album as a whole though didn't do it for me. Now Jazmine Sullivan is returning with a new album, "Love Me Back" which will be released on September 28. The album's first single, "Holdin' Me Down(Circles)" was produced by Missy Elliott. Another album to look forward to this fall is from Faith Evans. Her album, "Somethin' About Faith" will be in stores October 5. There has been a bit of confusion regarding her album's first single. The originally planned first single, "Way U Move" featuring Snoop Dogg went to radio and was later nixed. Soon it was revealed that the Mike City produced song, "Party" would be the first single. Now it has been revealed that a ballad, "Real Things" may in fact be the first single. Once it finally does become legit, I will be l...

Part 1 of 2 interview features Lloyd as he talks about his departure from The Inc records, his relationship with Irv Gotti, and pressure from his record label. A very interesting and insightful interview. Check it out! Part 2 Music Biz: Chris Brown Releases Statement On Larry King Interview! There have been reports on the internet that I didn’t remember what happened that night with Rihanna. I want to try and set things straight. That 30 seconds of the interview they used of me was taken from a one hour interview during which that same question was asked something like 4 or 5 times — and when you look at the entire interview you will see it is not representative of what I said. The first four times – or how ever many times it was – I gave the same answer — which was that I didn’t think it was appropriate for me to talk about what happened that night. I said it was not right for me and it really wasn’t fair to Rihanna. The fifth time – or whatever it was – I just misspoke. I was asked, ...

Whitney Houston is definitely on fire. The buzz for her new album has reached a fever pitch. The album's first single, "Million Dollar Bill" leaked out today and the reaction to the song has been overwhelmingly great! The title track, "I Look To You" has also made an impact already in the top 20 of the R&B charts. My only gripe with the new album is that its only 11 songs and I've(and most of us) have heard a lot of the songs already. Check out the promo pic for Whitney and the new single below! Music Biz: Ludacris, Shawnna Plan Duet Album! Before Ludacris wages war on the charts with his next solo album Ludaversal, he’s going to battle with his female counterpart Shawnna. Despite previous efforts, no male and female rappers have recorded an entire album together. “I know that Jay-Z and Foxy [Brown] might have talked about doing it before and maybe Nas and somebody else,” he explains. “But there’s never really been an album with a male rapper and a femal...

The world 'flop' is used a lot on the message boards I visit. It is actually a word that I have come to despise and one that annoys me. Despite how I feel the word made for a good music feed as I like to call these. I would be sitting here and typing all day if I had to name every flop album in the last 20 years. These albums are largely considered flops by industry standards. The artists mentioned below have a track record for hit albums and hit singles but even they hit a snag. Glitter by Mariah Carey Mariah's one and only album for Virgin Records came on the eve of her nervous and mental breakdown. Even though the album did go platinum, the album was considered a huge flop. The album produced one hit, "Loverboy" which went to #2 on the pop charts and #1 on the R&B charts. Afrodisiac by Brandy As I have said many times before, Brandy's personal life overshadows her music. Clearly her personal life is more interesting but it is also the very thing she s...

Here are some of the latest music stories and headlines! Lloyd Leaves The Inc.! R&B singer LLOYD has parted ways with his longtime record label The Inc.- just a month after ASHANTI walked out of her contract at the music firm. Ashanti left the label, run by music mogul Irv Gotti, in May (09) after years of reportedly frosty relations with The Inc. bosses. And Lloyd has now followed her out the door after releasing three albums with the company - but insists the split was amicable. He tells AllHipHop.com, “I’m ready for a change. There’s no bad blood. I just feel I need to take more control over my career and get a fresh start. Hopefully Irv can understand my position." This comes as quite a surprise to me because I thought Lloyd was going to be with The Inc. for the long run. Brian McKnight Plans New Album! Brian McKnight is "almost done" with his first set of all-new material in three years and predicts its first single could "go to radio in the next two weeks....

---------------- Now playing: Brandy - Shattered Heart via FoxyTunes The newest video/single from Slim. I figured the album, "Love's Crazy" was pretty much a done deal but I guess not. I didn't like the album. I was expecting more but then again I'm always expecting certain musicians to deliver musically and they always fail. Music Biz: Toni Braxton Returns! After her stint on "Dancing With The Stars" last year, Toni Braxton suffered a health crisis during her "Revealed" tour in Vegas. Shortly thereafter the singer was suing the insurance company behind the tour. Now signed to Atlantic Records, Toni has been somewhat quiet on the music scene with the exception of a few leaked songs hear and there ("Melt", "Not A Chance"). Now you can click here to sign up for Toni's mailing list as info becomes available for her and her upcoming album. Irv Gotti Drops Ashanti! Irv Gotti says he and Ashanti, the Princess of the Inc., wil...

---------------- Now playing: Pussycat Dolls - Who's Gonna Love You via FoxyTunes Irv Gotti is riding high with the 2nd season of his hit reality show, "Gotti's Way". The show gives an inside look at The Inc's mogul's life, his career, and more. Check out this exclusive interview with Angie Martinez.

Hello all! I'm not sure how many of you remember my "Six Degrees Of..." posts I used to do. I was doing a few of them for a time. I realized I hadn't done one in awhile so I decided to do one tonight. I thought it would be cool too also to give a slight break from the multiple audio posts. Tonight's(or this mornings) featured artist is Ashanti. You either love or hate her. She's known for her multiple hit singles and cool personality. Below are listed six names of people who are often associated with the famed singer. Check it out! Beyonce She is considered Ashanti's rival. The comparisons started when Ashanti and Beyonce released their perspective albums a week apart. To this day Ashanti denies any beef with Beyonce. Interviewers never bother to ask Beyonce about Ashanti probably because they feel it is pointless to ask. If you ever see the two in pictures together they are never side by side. Funny heh? Irv Gotti He is the mastermind behind Ashanti's...