Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Sunday

Interview With Ashanti, Ja Rule

Aired February 23, 2003 - 18:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: By midnight we should know who is considered music's top artist, because right now the Grammys are getting ready to get under way. Musicians in New York are hoping to hit more than just the right note tonight, and CNN's Arthel Neville is standing by live there -- Arthel.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, absolutely, Carol. Listen I'm actually standing with two young folks here who are definitely hitting some great notes because Ashanti here is up for five Grammys. Ja Rule is up here for a Grammy himself. Are you feeling lucky?

ASHANTI, SINGER: Definitely, I'm feeling really blessed tonight.

NEVILLE: Yes?

ASHANTI: Yes.

NEVILLE: OK, what about you?

JA RULE, RAPPER: Oh, I'm feeling great, you know. Come to just come. I don't really expect to win. I just come and, you know, support Bon Bon (ph) like that. I'm here in support of Bon Bon.

NEVILLE: Bon Bon? What's up with this nickname?

ASHANTI: It's a little nickname. They all call me Bon Bon.

NEVILLE: Why do they call you Bon Bon?

ASHANTI: That originated from my auntie. She calls me Shonny Bonny (ph) and it was overheard by John there so it kind of got shortened to Bon Bon.

NEVILLE: Are you performing tonight?

ASHANTI: Yes, I am.

NEVILLE: What are we expecting to hear from you?

ASHANTI: A wonderful performance. I can't tell you what it is yet. It's still a secret.

NEVILLE: Well, we don't want to give away any secrets but you know there are going to be so many great performances here tonight. I'm wondering if you have anything or anybody you're looking forward to most?

ASHANTI: Honestly, I'm just looking forward to having a great time watching all the talent do their thing on stage, you know, looking forward to a big night.

NEVILLE: Now, Ja Rule, you've been around longer than Ashanti. Are you giving her some advice because this has been a whirlwind for her?

JA RULE: I mean she's the champion already. She knows how to bob and weave the obstacles and she's real good at this and she doesn't really need too much, you know, knowledge of this game. She's got it pretty down pat.

ASHANTI: I soaked it all in from him and he doesn't even know sometimes that I soak it up.

NEVILLE: But really being a newcomer, this is a lot -- I mean a huge spotlight you're under right now.

ASHANTI: Definitely. I mean it's definitely been a long time in the making, about nine and a half years so when it finally happened, you know, I'm just thanking God every day.

NEVILLE: So, did you ever get discouraged along the way?

ASHANTI: Of course. It's been nine years and three record deals later.

NEVILLE: Congratulations on all of your success, and tell me, I didn't ask you what performance you're looking for, what performance you're looking forward to tonight because you're looking forward to the gift bag.

JA RULE: Oh, the gift bag, you know. You would die for one of these gift bags, man. Now, the gift bag is always a hot item anymore definitely.

NEVILLE: All right, Ja Rule, Ashanti, good luck to both of you, nice to see you. Carol Lin, I'm telling you that the stars are out tonight. We are surrounded by all of them. This is the biggest night in music indeed. Carol, we're having a blast.

LIN: I bet. Oh, have a great time tonight Arthel.

NEVILLE: Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired February 23, 2003 - 18:56   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: By midnight we should know who is considered music's top artist, because right now the Grammys are getting ready to get under way. Musicians in New York are hoping to hit more than just the right note tonight, and CNN's Arthel Neville is standing by live there -- Arthel.
ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, absolutely, Carol. Listen I'm actually standing with two young folks here who are definitely hitting some great notes because Ashanti here is up for five Grammys. Ja Rule is up here for a Grammy himself. Are you feeling lucky?

ASHANTI, SINGER: Definitely, I'm feeling really blessed tonight.

NEVILLE: Yes?

ASHANTI: Yes.

NEVILLE: OK, what about you?

JA RULE, RAPPER: Oh, I'm feeling great, you know. Come to just come. I don't really expect to win. I just come and, you know, support Bon Bon (ph) like that. I'm here in support of Bon Bon.

NEVILLE: Bon Bon? What's up with this nickname?

ASHANTI: It's a little nickname. They all call me Bon Bon.

NEVILLE: Why do they call you Bon Bon?

ASHANTI: That originated from my auntie. She calls me Shonny Bonny (ph) and it was overheard by John there so it kind of got shortened to Bon Bon.

NEVILLE: Are you performing tonight?

ASHANTI: Yes, I am.

NEVILLE: What are we expecting to hear from you?

ASHANTI: A wonderful performance. I can't tell you what it is yet. It's still a secret.

NEVILLE: Well, we don't want to give away any secrets but you know there are going to be so many great performances here tonight. I'm wondering if you have anything or anybody you're looking forward to most?

ASHANTI: Honestly, I'm just looking forward to having a great time watching all the talent do their thing on stage, you know, looking forward to a big night.

NEVILLE: Now, Ja Rule, you've been around longer than Ashanti. Are you giving her some advice because this has been a whirlwind for her?

JA RULE: I mean she's the champion already. She knows how to bob and weave the obstacles and she's real good at this and she doesn't really need too much, you know, knowledge of this game. She's got it pretty down pat.

ASHANTI: I soaked it all in from him and he doesn't even know sometimes that I soak it up.

NEVILLE: But really being a newcomer, this is a lot -- I mean a huge spotlight you're under right now.

ASHANTI: Definitely. I mean it's definitely been a long time in the making, about nine and a half years so when it finally happened, you know, I'm just thanking God every day.

NEVILLE: So, did you ever get discouraged along the way?

ASHANTI: Of course. It's been nine years and three record deals later.

NEVILLE: Congratulations on all of your success, and tell me, I didn't ask you what performance you're looking for, what performance you're looking forward to tonight because you're looking forward to the gift bag.

JA RULE: Oh, the gift bag, you know. You would die for one of these gift bags, man. Now, the gift bag is always a hot item anymore definitely.

NEVILLE: All right, Ja Rule, Ashanti, good luck to both of you, nice to see you. Carol Lin, I'm telling you that the stars are out tonight. We are surrounded by all of them. This is the biggest night in music indeed. Carol, we're having a blast.

LIN: I bet. Oh, have a great time tonight Arthel.

NEVILLE: Sure.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com