Ashanti Releases New Single, Goes Independent With Upcoming Album

R&B singer Ashanti is preparing for a comeback. First, she released a new single, a track featuring Busta Rhymes titled “The Woman You Love.” Then, she announced that she’s releasing her upcoming album independently. Ashanti’s follow-up to The Declaration will come out on her own label, Written Entertainment. However, Ashanti’s label has a worldwide distribution deal with eOne Music. She was formerly signed to The Inc./Universal Motown.

In a statement, Alan Grunblatt, President of eOne Music, said: “eOne is proud to have a partnership with Ashanti and her label Written Entertainment. Ashanti truly has the independent entrepreneurial attitude that eOne was built on, and we’re thrilled to be working with her.”

Ashanti then replied: “I’m so excited to have my own record label, Written Entertainment. With eOne as my distributor, I feel that their innovative and ambitious approach to the music industry, really gives my label a worldwide presence. They have the top radio people in the business and are hungry to win! The more I learned the business the more I knew this is what I wanted. Ownership is so important. As a business woman this was a great move for me!”

Is releasing a comeback on an independent label a wise choice, or will Ashanti’s career fail to take off?

“The Woman You Love” is the first single off that album, which is scheduled for release at some point in 2012. Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis produced the track. The Declaration came out in 2008 and was the least successful of the singer’s albums, and while Ashanti kept busy on Broadway, the pop music and R&B landscape has changed significantly since then. Listen to “The Woman You Love” below. What do you think of her sound?