R&B and pop singer Ashanti energized the Ventura County Fair crowd Aug. 3, performing hits and collaborations that sparked loud cheers and singalongs.
Accompanied by her DJ, City, and two dancers, Ashanti performed at the fair’s grandstand area, following hip-hop artist Bow Wow. Her hour-long set included hits that became singalongs with the fair audience, including opener “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby),” “Rain On Me” and “Happy.”
She wore a sparkly St. Louis Cardinals hat, a white top, blue denim shorts and matching red boots. Throughout the show, she frequently walked to the edge of the stage and dropped to one knee while singing, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Midway through the performance, she called out to the crowd. “Ventura, I may not always be there when you call, but you know what, I’m always on time,” she said, paraphrasing lyrics from Ja Rule’s “Always On Time,” on which she is the featured vocalist.
Ashanti’s hat featured her son’s initials on the side, and she prompted the audience to say “happy birthday” to him for a video recording.
Showing her versatility, she briefly performed Jennifer Lopez’s “Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix)” and sang her signature vocals on songs including Fabolous’ “Into You,” Nelly and Akon’s “Body On Me” and Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?”
Although she is married to Nelly, he did not perform. However, she showed videos of the couple through the years and referred to him as “my husband” during the performance.
Fair attendee Jayla Albanez, 30, of Oxnard called Ashanti “phenomenal.” “She’s always a 10 out of 10,” the attendee said.
Bow Wow delivered a high-energy, 30-minute set without any guest performers, featuring hits including “Like You,” “Bounce With Me,” “Shortie Like Mine” and “Fresh Az I’m Iz.”
Upcoming Ventura County Fair headliners include Switchfoot featuring Hoobastank on Aug. 4, Nate Smith on Aug. 5 and the Flying U Rodeo on Aug. 7-9.
For more information on the fair and headliners, go to venturacountyfair.org.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ashanti, Bow Wow deliver hit-filled sets at Ventura County Fair
Reporting by Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star | USA TODAY Network
