Ashanti was most definitely ready to confront Joe Budden and DJ Akademiks about comments the two made about her onstage outburst when fans threw money at her like she was a stripper. And for a minute or two, things got a little tense.
https://youtu.be/BKx80pTH1cg?t=18m45s
The R&B singer appeared on <em>Everyday Struggle</em> to promote her new single “Say Less,” which she advised Akademiks (and Budden) should do more often.
The conversation then shifted to jokes the two hosts made about Ashanti when she recently lashed out at fans who she felt was treating her like a stripper while she was performing onstage. “Let’s talk about it; I’m here,” she said.
Akademiks was first to try to explain himself, stating “I gave the little safe, PC answer ‘cus I know how Twitter takes these type of things.” But it was Budden who previously said that Ashanti was, in fact dressed like a stripper, which he repeated with Ashanti now in-studio. “Hold it!” she immediately stopped him.
<blockquote>“I had on a body suit, with boots, which 90 percent of my peers wear, which we perform in. We’re there to do a show, so that’s what you wear. Strippers are naked. Strippers, sometimes they have on thongs, they’re half-naked.”</blockquote>
Budden stated that it’s illegal for strippers to be naked in New York and claimed they now wear bodysuits and boots. “I’ve never seen a stripper in a bodysuit!” Ashanti exclaimed.
<blockquote>“The point I’m making to you is: I’ve been in the strip club. I’ve seen things; I’ve seen private areas. My private areas weren’t out. If I wore a stethoscope am I a doctor? Yes, or no?”</blockquote>
Budden and Akademiks both answered no, but also noted she’d still be dressed like a doctor. “Would you like me to operate on you?” she asked. “Hell, no!” Budden shot back. Making her point, Ashanti then said she shouldn’t have money throw on her just because she’s in a bodysuit.
“Time out. We were joking,” Budden relented. “We don’t seriously think you should have money thrown on you. What do you think, we’re ignorant f*cks up here?” he asked. “Sometimes,” Ashanti laughed.
Though it got a little tense for a few minutes, the three quickly squashed the mini beef. In fact, they concluded the hour-long interview with laughs and jokes.
Below is the viral video that’s at the center of the friction.“Yo, Imma need you to stop throwing that money. I’m not a f***ing stripper!” Ashanti tells fans after several bills rained on stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=28&v=ejSYovWlWfM
