TONY ENGELHART: HOPEFULLY ASHANTI WEARS THIS OUTFIT TONIGHT >>>

I’m not a huge pop fan so I’m not going to lie and tell you “I LOVE ASHANTI,” but I’m not going to slam her either. For one thing, she’s hot! For another, she has a voice, and a very good one at that â€" like Whitney before crack. Since 2002, Ashanti has been at the top of the charts, dominating magazine covers and selling out shows. The singer built her rep by way of duets with established rappers Ja Rule and Fat Joe, but soon stepped into her own spotlight. Ashanti’s debut solo single, “Foolish,” catapulted her career into high gear. It would be easy to call her an overnight sensation, but what came before was years of training and hard work. The singer/dancer/actress has been featured in countless big name music videos and has taken part in two Spike Lee movies. Did her beauty get her some breaks? Well, duh! Of course it did. But at least she has some real talent, too.

Tonight, Ashanti will play the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.

[Emerald Queen Casino, 8:30 p.m., $40-$85, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594. 7777]