Ashanti on Ja Rule: 'He still has what it takes to make a hit record'

theGRIO VIDEO - During an interview with theGrio, singer/songwriter Ashanti talked about her new TV role on 'Army Wives" and defended her former Mrder Inc. label mate, Ja Rule...

Happy b'day Michael Jackson! 20 stars who sampled the King of Pop

Kyle Harvey

SLIDESHOW - Some of our favorite artists have used the King of Pop's classic productions as the background to some of their biggest hits...

Slideshow: Female R&B singers turned movie stars

Chris Witherspoon

SLIDESHOW - Here are some our favorite R&B singers-turned actresses...

Ashanti wants to make a comeback, but should she?

Ronda Racha Penrice

OPINION - Despite Ashanti's record-setting accomplishments, she's never been particularly respected as an artist...

Jay-Z launches lavish 40/40 re-opening in NYC

Nakita Austin

SLIDESHOW - Jay-Z stepped out for the first time since the birth of his baby girl to celebrate and re-launch his flagship New York nightclub, the 40/40...

Ashanti to replace Fergie in the Black Eyed Peas? Not so fast

theGrio

Fergie will possibly be exiting the group to focus on family, and a few sources have whispered that R&B diva Ashanti would be taking her place as the resident lady Pea in the group...

The week in pop culture: 2nd 'Housewife' goes solo

Chris Witherspoon

theGRIO REPORT - Welcome to the week in pop culture. Here's all the latest and greatest entertainment news and headlines from the week that was...

Celebs throw weight behind Boys & Girls Clubs

Donna Owens

theGRIO REPORT - As cameras clicked and flashed steadily during the star-studded event, one by one the celebs took the podium to talk about their passion for youth, and a desire to reach more of them through the Boys & Girls Clubs...