Ashanti settles contract dispute

Ashanti was recently seen in the film John Tucker Must Die

R&B singer Ashanti has settled a bitter contract dispute with her former producer Genard Parker.

The pair's out-of-court settlement meant a court case, which began on Monday, was scrapped.

No details of the agreement have been disclosed, but the 25-year-old said she was "very pleased" with the outcome.

Mr Parker had been seeking $2.3m (£1.2m) for helping to launch Ashanti's career. Her lawyers, however, said he was owed just $50,000 (£26,500).

The singer's lawyer said the decision by both sides to drop all litigation was "an excellent result".

Demo tapes

The singer expressed relief that the proceedings were over, telling the Associated Press: "I'd rather be in the studio writing."

Mr Parker, who helped Ashanti record some demo tapes at the start of her career, told reporters outside the New York court he was "happy it's over".

In an earlier trial in New York last year, Ashanti was ordered to pay Mr Parker $630,000 (£335,000).

But a judge later rejected most of the award, ruling the jurors did not have sufficient facts to determine the proper amount of damages.