Singer Ashanti sued by ex-manager

Linda Berk claimed her contract was cut short in 2003 after she had helped to make the 25-year-old singer "a music and entertainment superstar".

"The contract expired naturally and we didn't renew it," said a spokesperson for the performer.

Ashanti, whose full name is Ashanti Douglas, has scored top ten hits in the UK with the singles Only U and Foolish.

She has been particularly successful in the US, where her debut album, Ashanti, won a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album.

The singer has also achieved success in Hollywood, starring alongside Samuel L Jackson in last year's hit film Coach Carter.

Controversy

However, her career has been dogged by controversy.

Her record label, Murder Inc, was raided by the FBI in 2003 as part of a drug operation.

The label's boss, Irv Gotti, was later charged with laundering $1m (£530,000) for an allegedly violent drug gang.

None of the label's artists were implicated in the case.

Last year, Ashanti was ordered to pay $630,000 (£359,000) to her first producer in a separate trial for breach of contract.

The producer, Genard Parker, began working with Ashanti before she landed a recording contract.

Mr Parker released her on the condition he could produce two songs for her debut album, which was not honoured.

At the time, Ashanti's lawyer said she would appeal against the verdict.

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Ashanti's official website
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