Your debut album, Ashanti, turns 25 next year and you’re in the process of re-recording it. How do you feel about that album now?

We are re-recording it so I will own my masters. Sonically, it will be a lot clearer. It was 25 years ago so it’ll sound a little more new, obviously, but with the same classic vibe. I’m very excited. What I’ve learned is that I’m just really grateful to have written records that stand the test of time. Foolish is turning 25! That I can still go to an arena and hold the mic in the air and hear everyone sing those lyrics is a beautiful feeling. And a blessing.

Owning my masters is really important to me. Nowadays, obviously, things are a lot different compared with back when I first came out as an artist. But after 20 years, you get the right to go in and legally re-record your masters … and take back what’s yours, so to speak. Hopefully it inspires artists to try and take control from the beginning – hopefully you don’t have to wait 20 years!…