Unveiling the Truth: How Jennifer Lopez Nearly Replaced Ashanti on Fat Joe’s Iconic ‘What’s Luv?’
The early 2000s produced a plethora of unforgettable hip-hop and R&B anthems, but few shine as brightly and enduringly as Fat Joe and Ashanti’s smash hit, “What’s Luv?” Its infectious hook, catchy beat, and smooth vocals cemented its place in music history, becoming a staple at parties and on radio waves for years. However, beneath the surface of this beloved track lies an astonishing untold story: the iconic chorus, masterfully delivered by Ashanti, was almost sung by none other than the global superstar Jennifer Lopez.
This revelation came to light during a candid Instagram Live session between the two artists, Fat Joe, 49, and Ashanti, 39, sending shockwaves through their fanbase and the music industry alike. The discussion peeled back the layers on a pivotal moment in the song’s creation, highlighting the behind-the-scenes decisions that could have drastically altered its trajectory and the careers of those involved. It was a moment of genuine surprise for Ashanti herself, who, despite being the voice behind the celebrated chorus, had been completely unaware of the original plans.
The Shocking Revelation: “This Is for You and J.Lo”
During their virtual reunion, Fat Joe recounted the early days of “What’s Luv?”, detailing his experience in the studio when the track was still taking shape. “I go to the studio, it’s like four in the morning and they play ‘What’s Luv?’ — and you’re on it!” Joe began, recalling his initial encounter with the demo that already featured Ashanti’s distinctive vocals. He then dropped the bombshell that left Ashanti—and countless fans—stunned. “And they’re yelling at me, ‘yo, this is for you and J.Lo — we want the Latinos on this.’ That’s a fact!”
The “they” Joe referred to were the song’s prolific writers and producers, Irv Gotti and Ja Rule, who, at the time, envisioned a different vocal pairing for the track. Their vision, driven by a desire to target the burgeoning Latin music market and leverage the immense star power of Jennifer Lopez, then 50, sought to unite two prominent Latin artists on what they hoped would become a crossover anthem. Joe, who shares Puerto Rican heritage with Lopez, was seemingly the perfect fit for their ambitious plan. This strategic move aimed to create a powerful cultural moment, a testament to the commercial considerations that often influence artistic decisions in the music world.
Ashanti’s reaction was one of pure disbelief and astonishment. “I never knew that!” she exclaimed, her voice conveying a mix of shock and perhaps a hint of indignation. For an artist who had poured her talent into a track that would become one of her signature performances, discovering such a critical piece of its history years later was undoubtedly a profound experience. It underscored the often opaque nature of music production, where artists sometimes remain unaware of the intricate dealings and negotiations that shape their work.
Fat Joe’s Stance: Championing Ashanti’s Unique Sound
Despite the producers’ clear intention to feature Jennifer Lopez, Fat Joe revealed that he vehemently advocated for Ashanti to remain on the song. His steadfast support was rooted in his artistic appreciation for her performance. “They wanted J.Lo to do it. And I said, ‘yo, J.Lo? This girl sounds amazing here.’ And they said, ‘Yeah, we want the Latino.’ And I said, ‘we’re leaving [Ashanti] on here…that’s a fact, I’m not lying to you,” Joe asserted during the Instagram Live, emphasizing his conviction.
Joe’s decision was a testament to his belief in Ashanti’s undeniable talent and the magic she had already infused into the track. He recognized that her vocals were not just competent, but exceptional, perfectly capturing the song’s mood and ensuring its infectious appeal. His argument was simple yet powerful: the existing performance was already flawless, and changing it would be an unnecessary alteration. This moment highlights Joe’s integrity as an artist, prioritizing the quality of the music over market-driven suggestions, even when those suggestions involved a superstar like Jennifer Lopez.
It’s worth noting that Fat Joe and Jennifer Lopez had a history of collaboration. Joe, along with the late Big Pun, had previously appeared on Lopez’s 1999 hit “Feelin’ So Good,” demonstrating a professional rapport between them. This existing relationship could have made it easier for Joe to accept the producers’ proposal. However, his decision to fight for Ashanti ultimately preserved the unique chemistry that made “What’s Luv?” a timeless classic, proving that sometimes, the best artistic choice is to stick with what already works beautifully.
Ashanti’s Surprise and Historical Tensions with Irv Gotti
The revelation continued to resonate with Ashanti throughout the conversation. Her mouth remained wide open in surprise as she reiterated, “Joe, I never knew that.” The initial shock then gave way to a moment of palpable frustration, hinting at deeper, unresolved issues within her career. “Oh my god, [Irv’s] still pulling records and trying to pull records from me,” she exclaimed, her comment shedding light on her long and often complicated relationship with producer Irv Gotti.
Irv Gotti, the visionary founder of the Murder Inc. record label, played a pivotal role in catapulting Ashanti, Ja Rule, and many other artists to stardom in the early 2000s. However, his professional relationship with the R&B songstress has been notoriously tense and fraught with personal complexities. Gotti publicly admitted on *The Wendy Williams Show* that he and Ashanti had engaged in a romantic relationship years ago, during a period when he was separated from his wife. This storied history, coupled with various business disputes, has led to a strained dynamic between them, with the two artists reportedly no longer speaking.
Ashanti’s frustrated remark during the Instagram Live was a vivid reminder of these ongoing tensions, suggesting a pattern of similar creative conflicts or uncredited contributions that have colored her career. The discovery that her pivotal role in “What’s Luv?” was almost usurped by a label decision only added another layer to her intricate history with the Murder Inc. mastermind. This incident, decades later, brought to the forefront the challenges artists often face in maintaining control over their creative output and receiving full recognition for their work.
🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ RT @ivieani: Yesterday, Fat Joe told Ashanti that Irv and Ja wanted to take her off “What’s Luv” and replace her with JLo instead to make it “for the Latinos.”
Ashanti never knew! pic.twitter.com/DViZ2dMBKH
— Matick (@SoulByDaPound) May 16, 2020
The Enduring Success of “What’s Luv?” and Ashanti’s Rise
Amidst Ashanti’s momentary anger, Fat Joe quickly intervened, reminding her of the undeniable success and enduring legacy of “What’s Luv?”. “Stop, stop!” Joe urged, his words a gentle redirection to the triumph they had achieved together. Indeed, the track was not just a hit; it was a phenomenon. “What’s Luv?” soared to the number two spot on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 charts, maintaining its dominant position for an astounding twenty consecutive weeks. This chart performance solidified its status as one of the definitive songs of the era and a commercial juggernaut.
Joe further emphasized Ashanti’s incredible breakout period, where her talent was not only recognized but celebrated across multiple platforms. “It happened, it went [to the top]… at the same time, you were #1, #2, and #3 right?” he reminded her, referencing a remarkable period in Ashanti’s career. During this time, she simultaneously dominated the charts with her smash collaborations “Always On Time” with Ja Rule and her critically acclaimed debut solo track, “Foolish.” This unprecedented success firmly established Ashanti as a dominant force in R&B, proving that her unique vocal abilities and artistic appeal were undeniable, regardless of initial production ideas. Her presence on “What’s Luv?” was not just a fortunate choice; it was an integral part of its success and her own skyrocketing career.
More Uncredited Contributions: Jennifer Lopez’s “I’m Real” Remix and “Ain’t It Funny”
The conversation between Fat Joe and Ashanti also revisited another instance where their careers intersected with Jennifer Lopez’s, specifically concerning Lopez’s now-iconic “I’m Real” remix. This track, which became a massive hit, famously features Ashanti singing uncredited backup vocals on the recording, a detail that has sparked considerable discussion over the years regarding recognition and fairness in the music industry.
In a 2016 interview, Ashanti shed light on her role in “I’m Real,” stating, “I demoed the record, so I sang the whole entire record and then they took most of my lead vocals out and she re-cut her part and they left my backgrounds on.” This practice, common in the music industry, involves a demo singer recording a full track to guide the main artist, but often, elements of the demo, like background harmonies, are retained in the final version without proper credit for the demo artist. This revelation added another layer to the narrative of uncredited contributions, showcasing Ashanti’s foundational work on tracks that became massive successes for other artists.
Producer Irv Gotti, in his appearance on *The Wendy Williams Show*, offered his perspective on the “I’m Real” situation, downplaying the significance of Ashanti’s contribution. “Ashanti was a background vocalist, that’s it, period, don’t make a big thing about it,” he stated. He further added, “Yes, it was her voice, but you know how many records have background vocals? Why y’all making a big thing out of it? Ashanti wasn’t a star [back then], she was just in the studio with me, and I was Napoleon,” referring to his then-dominant position as the head of Murder Inc. Gotti’s comments underscored the power dynamics prevalent in the music industry, where established producers often dictate narratives around contributions, especially from artists who are not yet superstars. His assertion that Ashanti “wasn’t a star” at the time aimed to diminish the importance of her work, even as her talent was clearly being utilized on high-profile projects.
Adding to Ashanti’s significant, though sometimes understated, contributions to Jennifer Lopez’s career, it’s also notable that Ashanti penned Lopez’s follow-up hit, “Ain’t It Funny.” This songwriting credit further highlights Ashanti’s versatile talents beyond just singing, cementing her legacy as a gifted artist who contributed to the success of numerous chart-topping records, whether through her voice or her pen. These behind-the-scenes stories provide a compelling glimpse into the intricate and often complex world of music creation, revealing how many hands and voices contribute to the songs that become soundtracks to our lives.