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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > March > 13 > Entry
Spitzer’s ‘Kristen’ Has Atlanta Music Connection
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though she may now be known to the country as “Kristen,” the pricey prostitute involved in New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s fall this week, the 22-year-old Ashley Alexandra Dupre is also an aspiring R&B singer — with a purported connection to our Motown of the South.
Atlanta-based producer Simon Illa (above) claims to have worked with Dupre, musically, and his publicist Jurena Cantrell issued this statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Ashley is a talented singer and songwriter. I respect her right to privacy and have no comment on her life.”
That’s it. Cantrell says Dupre’s lawyers have asked him not to discuss anything - including whether the woman known as “Kristen” came to Atlanta to record, when, for how long … nothing. (BUT the song playing on her MySpace page - before it was taken down today - is one of his productions, he says. That’s probably why Howard Stern and “Inside Edition” are on his trail, according to Illa’s reps.)
As for Illa - a relative unknown on the Atlanta scene as he just moved here six months ago - his bio says he “earned an East Coast Emmy nomination for his music for NBC’s ‘Tribute to 9/11’ in 2003 and was dubbed ‘Philadelphia’s Hottest Producer’ by Blender magazine in 2006’. It also says he has done tour production for R&B acts Vivian Green and Floetry.
Meanwhile, have you heard of Simon Illa (check out his myspace page)? Know his work? What about any other Atlanta MUSIC connection to Dupre?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Christopher Cook
March 13, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
I heard Dupre’s song on the radio news yesterday. The deaf have never been so lucky.
By Ima Nidiot
March 13, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Dupre has immense talents as an artist and songwriter. She has been compared to Alicia Keys and other similar artists. In addition to her vocal abilities, she is very talented with the piano, organ, and several other related instruments.
By Jeff
March 13, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Who would have imagined? A hooker that wants to be a hip hop singer has an Atlanta connection.
By Ima Conscience
March 14, 2008 5:43 AM | Link to this
You Dummies! Read some of these comments and delete them in the name of decency! Kids read your stuff on-line!
By I know her manager
March 14, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
I am speechless! I met her in Atlanta about six months ago and she signed to a management company in Atlanta and her manager was trying to shop a record deal to my associates. I don’t know how to reach him but his name is Dennis Byron and he is in Atlanta somewhere. His myspace page is www.myspace.com/blacktalent He probably should have worked harder!!!
By Beat Pimpa
March 14, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
I am speechless! I met her in Atlanta about six months ago and she signed to a management company in Atlanta and her manager was trying to shop a record deal to my associates. I don’t know how to reach him but his name is Dennis Byron and he is in Atlanta somewhere. His myspace page is www.myspace.com/blacktalent He probably should have worked harder!!!
By whatever
March 14, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Here come the holier than thou crowds…. I don’t condone her actions as a professional prostitute. She is still a child of GOD and she will find her way! Mr. Cook may be a professional talent scout and has a clue as to what defines good music. I , for one, thought she sang very well. I’m no Simon so I want judge the women! I applaud her for persevering through what seems a very challenging young life.
By Beat Pimpa
March 14, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Why are people so surprised? There are hundreds of ladies in Atlanta alone that moonlight as strippers and have other occupations. These same individuals are doing this but because of their financial needs and struggles. How expensive do you think it cost to live in New York City? Survival of the fittest.
By david
March 14, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
I think her music could benefit from a horn section. Maybe a little saxaphone, trumpet, or a rusty trombone.
By Tony the Mailman
March 14, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
I wish I would have given her the overnight package when she was down here in ATL…
By ss
March 14, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Thanks a lot MTV, for spreading more of your MOLD in Atlanta
By ss
March 14, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Who would have thought…There is such a close relationship with prostitution and the Hip-Hop/R and B Lifestyle?
By Ima Nidiot
March 14, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
There’s a double standard here: if Dupre was a male prostitute of either persuasion, a music career and fame would not be even a remote consideration.
Somehow society seems to think it’s OK for a person to have sex for money if it’s a woman…what a great message for impressionable young women.
I predict that the pages of this newspaper will be graced for the next ten years with stories of her repeated DUI and drug arrests, child custody disputes, and whatever immature behavior this latest Britney Spears wannabe can inflict on us.
My prediction is her first DUI arrest on July 10, 2009…any takers?
By Reply to david
March 14, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Actually, her demo tracks do feature some of the instruments you mention. There was a young trumpet player named Scott, and there was, believe it or not, a talented musician named Rusty on the alta-trumpet (the more commonly accepted term for trombone among horn players).
By ss
March 14, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
It’s almost as if the writer is PROUD to have ties with Atlanta and Prostitution… no? Yes, Ima Nidiot - either “DUI” or “ass kicked” by producer boyfriend
By Bill
March 14, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Who gives a rip!!!
By muffin
March 14, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
My reply to Reply to david: No one cares.
By Mike Myers
March 14, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
Butt Kicked by Mini-Me
By Somebody
March 14, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
I know the producer of Ashley’s music. He is an extremely talented and nice person. He really has no other connection to Ashley except for the songs they recorded together a long time ago. Check the link to his page and you will see. I am glad Simon is getting the exposure, it’s only a matter of time before he BLOWS UP!! Good look Simon your hard work will pay off for you soon buddy!!
By David's friend Matt
March 14, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Excellent point David. I believe a flute would also be welcome.
By ss
March 14, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
I bet her grandparents are very proud
By LilJinx
March 14, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Dear Kristen, please stay in NYC and do NOT come back to ATL. We have enough scum down here already! Thank you.
By chris
March 14, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
It will be difficult for the majority of the public to take her music ambitions seriously because she is a prostitute/w**. The odds are she will be in Penthouse before too long.
By George
March 14, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
I thought her song was hot.
By Monk
March 14, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
More cowbell!!
I’ve got a fever and the only cure is ……… more cowbell!!
By By David & Matt's friend The Commondant
March 14, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
She could also benefit (& enjoy thoroughly I think) tickling the rare Taint Trumpet with her tonsils…possibly the Blumpkin Bass guitar.
By Chief Wiggum
March 14, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Simon Illa? That sounds like some kind of food-borne disease.
I do hope she’s good on the organ, because her music sucks. I visited her myspace page, and was desperately looking for the mute button.
By CGB
March 14, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
This Simon guy…I know I’ve seen him on tv…I think, not sure, that he was on Miami Ink, getting a tattoo done by one of the guys on that show. That guy looked very much like this Simon guy and said he was in the music business - so it might be the same guy.
By Reply to muffin (by reply to david)
March 14, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
I understand that Dupre also worked as a cook in an upscale NY establishment doing salad preparation.
By HUH?
March 14, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Why is this news?
By David
March 14, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Before they took down her myspace page it said she worked on a Steamer in Cleveland. This was before her restaurant and music carrier obviously.
By Diamond Jim
March 14, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
She’d best stick to hooking.
By Tom
March 14, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
She was once a member of a local NJ girlband, “The Angry Pirates.” Correct, they were the ones with the skin flute player, Matt.
By Lex Luthor
March 14, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Ima Conscience
Do you let your children freely roam the Internet? Why worry about a text only comment?
By somebody
March 14, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
to cgb…that is him…the guy from miami ink
By somebody
March 14, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
to cgb…that is him…the guy from miami ink
By This is just too much fun
March 14, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Helloooo, people:
She’s talented at: A)Playing the organ? :) B)salad preparation? *
Her band needs: A)Rusty Trombone? B)Taint Trumpet? C)Skin flute player?
Anybody here got even a partial clue???
By larry rumfelt
March 15, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
God is LOVE. Pray for dupre. She an 75% of the world need to be born again.An to ALL that is through JESUS CHRIST ONLY. JOHN 3/16.
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