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Ashanti is opening up about where she stood with Irv Gotti in the months before he passed away.
During her recent appearance on Angie Martinez's IRL, the former Murder Inc. Records signee was asked how Gotti's death affected her. Ashanti paid tribute to the late producer in a touching Instagram post despite their controversial past. She said she didn't know how to process his death at first, but admitted it saddened her especially since she prayed for his peace.
It was a lot of different feelings and emotions, and I think honestly what I said [in my tribute post] is really how I feel,” Ashanti said.
“I was really sad and I’m still sad that it ended like this, because there was a time where things were just amazing," she continued. "And I know my heart always just wanted peace for both of us and for us to be cordial. I wished peace for him. I prayed for him to be at peace and you just don’t really see this – it really just came out of nowhere.”
Ashanti and Irv Gotti weren't always on great terms, especially after he detailed the extent of their relationship in his Murder Inc. docuseries on BET. While promoting the program on Drink Champs, Gotti shared his thoughts about Ashanti and revealed how he found out she began dating Nelly. Despite all the drama and everything else she endured, Gotti's former artist said she still "extended the olive branch."
“I really wanted it to happen because like I said, we made history together," she added. "That is infinite. Like, talking about my son – my son is gonna know that we made these records together! I’m sad that the last few years we weren’t seeing eye to eye. What I do know is that I tried. I do know that I extended the olive branch. I just want things to be cool.”
Irv Gotti reportedly died following a severe stroke last month. His brother Chris Gotti confirmed he experienced the medical episode while he was playing poker after he ate Chinese food. The Murder Inc. Records co-founder was laid to rest during an intimate service with family and close friends. Ashanti attended the service along with JAY-Z, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Angie Martinez and others.
Watch the entire episode of IRL below.