Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together is back for season two, and Ashanti is giving audiences more insight into the rerecording of her self-titled debut, first released in 2002, with a new teaser drop. In the nearly 2 /2-minute post, we see Ashanti in the studio, putting the final touches on a new version of the album Ashanti. “It’s so important to show women’s empowerment, and understanding the power of ownership is major,” she states.
Originally released through Murder Inc. and Def Jam, Ashanti introduced solo hits including “Foolish,” “Happy” and “Baby,” and debuted atop the Billboard 200. A staple of heartbreak playlists, the album established the singer as a defining voice of early 2000s R&B.
Ashanti did not own the original master recordings. Rerecording the album let her create new versions she could own and control. The late Murder Inc. cofounder Irv Gotti, who publicly said he owned the original masters, criticized her decision to rerecord in 2021.
In the teaser, Ashanti thanks Fat Joe for supporting her through the rerecording process. IRL, she held an intimate listening event for friends and family on June 17 to celebrate the finished project and preview it years after she first announced her plans.
Living in St. Louis and New York City, Nelly and Ashanti navigate the complications of nonstop touring, with Nelly reflecting on the physical toll it takes at this stage in his life and wondering how much longer he can keep up this demanding pace. The couple also deals with an unexpected family loss that reminds them what matters most. Meanwhile, they continue raising their 2-year-old son, Kareem, honor their extended families and face the normal ups and downs all couples go through. They also reflect on attending Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s Madison Square Garden-based wedding ceremony this past summer.
Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together, season two, premieres with all eight episodes on Thursday, November 19. All episodes of season one of Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together are now streaming on Peacock.