Hip-hop diva returns with 'Chapter II'

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

•	Ashanti 7 tonight Blaisdell Arena $39.50 (877) 750-4400

At that time, still two weeks removed from a Billboard album chart-topping bow for her self-titled debut, Ashanti performed with little more than a backing track for about 4,000 screaming fans beneath a tent in the Aloha Stadium parking lot at something called the 2002 Sports Carnival. For $2, you got 20 minutes of Ashanti performance and carnival rides.

Times have changed.

Now dubbed "the new princess of hip-hop and R&B" and a multimillion-selling recording artist, Ashanti returns to Honolulu with another No.1 CD, "Chapter II," and better venue — the Blaisdell tonight — to perform in.

Ashanti arrived in town Tuesday morning following a show in Tokyo, Japan. We spoke to her before she was off for some very brief pre-lu'au R&B:

How long will you be in Hawai'i this time?

(A bit sadly.) All I know is I'll be home on Halloween.

No vacation, huh?

Well, kinda-sorta. It's starting right now, actually, as soon as I get off (the telephone) with you. (Laughs.) I have a day and a half, I think. (Laughs more.)

What's the day been like so far?

We haven't done much. We got here, ate some breakfast, saw the view, I got dressed and now I'm on the way out. My crew rented some ... I don't know what they're called. Um, (it) starts with an 'S.' Shaquille O'Neal has them in his house ... some kind of air scooters or something. Speedway, or something.

I think they're called Speedways. And we're gonna go and test them out.

(We believe she was thinking of Segways, those self-balancing high-tech scooters.)

Why did you want to play Hawai'i again?

Because there's people out here that buy records. (Laughs.) Nah, I was invited to Hawai'i. And Hawai'i is really, really cool. This is actually one of the first places that I did an official show by myself. And the response was incredible. Everyone always asks me, 'So where was your best show?' And I always say Hawai'i, because it was my first official show by myself. There was no Ja (Rule, Ashanti's most-frequent duet partner). Irv (Gotti, head of Ashanti's record label Murder Inc.) was here. But I was on the stage by myself. And it was a great response.

What did the success of "Chapter II" mean to you coming after the huge success of your debut CD last year?

I think it's a blessing. I'm still considered a new artist. ... I'm really happy about the records.

Were you also secretly happy to show up any naysayers who pegged the success of your debut CD as just a fluke?

You mean (the fact that) I came back and hit 'em again? (Laughs.) Yeah, the sophomore jinx really didn't attack me too much.

With a million-plus sold, I'd say it didn't really hit you much at all.

(Laughs.) I just try to surround myself around good people. I have a great team of people that support me, and we work really hard. We just try to get in there and make hot music.

What did you want to accomplish with "Chapter II," musically and personally?

Basically, just connecting with the people, you know? Just showing the people reality and writing real records that everyone can relate to. And making universal records that people in Hawai'i and people in New York can rock (to) at the same time.

What musician has most inspired the way you've chosen to pursue your career?

Mary J. (Blige). She put the marriage together between hip-hop and R&B.

So what else do you want to do while you're here?

This is only my second time here. It's always a good vibe from the people. But I'm a beach-y, water person, so ...

... that's pretty much where you'll be for the next day and a half.

Yep! Yesiree-bob!

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8005.