R&B star Ashanti accepted an ‘Entertainer of the Year’ award at a US awards ceremony for female sould / r’n’b performers – the Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards. The awards was delivered despite complaints from some music fans that she didn't deserve the title - more than 28,000 signatures had been gathered on an internet petition decrying the decision to bestow the entertainer of the year mantle on the young performer. The petition said: "It is an insult to other entertainers who are more deserving of this award and to Aretha Franklin (who the award is named after). Ashanti simply lacks singing ability and stage presence". Ashanti didn’t mention the controversy in her speech, and most of the stars interviewed back stage refused to comment.
The other awards made at the ceremony included:
R&B single, solo: Aaliyah - Rock the Boat
R&B single, group, band, or duo: Destiny's Child - Emotion
R&B/soul album, solo: Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor
R&B/soul album, group, band, or duo: Destiny's Child - Survivor
R&B/soul or rap song: Aaliyah - Rock the Boat
R&B/soul or rap new artist of the year, solo: Ashanti - Foolish
R&B/soul or rap new artist, group, band or duo: Isyss featuring Jadakiss -Night & Day
R&B/soul or rap music video: -Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott - One Minute Man
Gospel album: Yolanda Adams - Believe
Lena Horne Award for outstanding career achievement: Angela Bassett