Posted by Ashanti has been on the receiving end of many disparaging comments made by Irv Gotti this past week, and she’s now being advised on how best to handle it.
On Tuesday (August 9), TMZ ran into esteemed TV Judge Greg Mathis who had a few tips for the R&B singer, advising her that she should consider issuing a cease-and-desist to her former label boss.
“If she feels she’s being defamed, she should perhaps send a cease and desist if nothing else, hoping that they’ll honor the law,” Mathis said. “Because cease-and-desist order is just that, a law. So that would be my suggestion prior to moving further, just send a cease-and-desist and hope they honor that.”
He continued: “I deal with this quite frequently and as I tell the litigants there has to be an intent to hurt your reputation and it has to be made to third parties, and it must actually hurt your reputation so that’s the issue. Does it actually hurt your reputation or does it give you more fame like kids get in this society?”
When asked to share his personal thoughts on Gotti’s comments, he merely said: “I’ll just say the circumstances surrounding it clearly indicate that there’s bad blood in the air.”
During Irv Gotti’s recent appearance on the Drink Champs podcast last week, the famed producer recounted his alleged brief love affair with Ashanti, and at one point even claimed her hit song “Happy” was created right after the pair finished having sex.
The Murder Inc. co-founder’s comments caused a widespread backlash in the Hip Hop community, with many saying the 52-year-old was way out of line.
Fat Joe slammed Irv Gotti for “disrespecting” Ashanti, while also calling out Ja Rule — who was on Drink Champs with Gotti — for not sticking up for his friend and former label mate, with whom he formed a successful partnership on hits like “Mesmerize,” “Always On Time” and “Wonderful.”
Irv Gotti got wind of Joe’s comments, and said he was disappointed his former friend would take such a stance against him.
“I feel like [Fat Joe] fooled me. He’s not my friend. I was fooled, but in life you get fooled,” Irv said while a guest on Houston’s 97.9 The Box. “Forget Joe ’cause they don’t want me to talk about Joe. So I won’t talk about Joe, I’ll talk about life. And In life, everyone goes through friends. People who you thought were your friends — I’m not talking about Joe.”
He continued: “In life, I’ve had countless friends come and go, but, you know what remains consistent and why I get through all of this? My family, ’cause I don’t really need friends … I’m more than content going home and spending time with my mom. Like, I’m a weird dude like that.”
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On Thursday (August 11), Ja Rule addressed the controversy in an Instagram post, saying he does “not condone” Gotti’s remarks about Ashanti and wishes to be left out of the drama, given his long-standing relationship with both parties.
“Brotherly love… The last few days have been very turbulent for me but it’s time to land the plane,” he wrote alongside recent photos of him and Ashanti performing together. “I love my sis I love my bro but I DO NOT condone or agree with the behavior nor the way Gotti handled things on drink champs.
“I hope y’all understand how uncomfortable this is for me being in the middle of something I wish to not be… going forward all I ask is to be left out of this please and thank you!!! Sincerely Switzerland Bennett… #ICONN #Vibes.”
Ashanti has yet to respond to the situation.