SZA Interrupts Ashanti's Interview To Sing Her Praises In Heartwarming Video

BY Erika Marie 62.4K Views
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SZA, Ashanti
Ja Rule and Ashanti were in the middle of chatting with a reporter when SZA walked by and couldn't help but fawn over the R&B icon.

Before all of the Verzuz hoopla took over timelines, Ashanti and Ja Rule made an appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards. The longtime friends and collaborators were making the rounds like many of the other celebrities on the scene in New York City, but Ashanti was especially touched by a surprise moment that she shared with SZA.

Fans were treated to a video of the brief exchange thanks to Entertainment Tonight. Ashanti and Ja were in the middle of an interview when SZA was walking by with her team, and the Top Dawg Entertainment songbird couldn't help but interrupt to share a memory and sing Ashanti her praises.

Bennett Raglin / Stringer / Getty Images

It seems, according to SZA, that when she was a young teen she waited in line for upwards of 10 hours to get Ashanti's autograph. The "Good Days" singer revisited the memory in detail, ending her story by telling Ashanti that she would wait forever to see her. The singers embraced as Ja looked on and both he and Ashanti were touched by the heartwarming exchange.

Ashanti shared the clip to social media and added, "This was such an incredible moment last night. We don’t see enough women empowerment.. Women camaraderie… Women showing women love. The perception is that women are so 'Catty'…. This genuinely made my heart smile and I can’t lie it made me a lil emotional."

"@sza you are beautiful with a beautiful soul inside and out… and your Talent is Amazing. Love u too I’m a big fan as well [red heart emoji]." Check it out below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.