NEW YORK (AP) – Ashanti and her first producer, Genard Parker, dropped all litigation Tuesday in a contract dispute, ending a trial that began a day earlier.

If any money changed hands, their lawyers refused to talk about it, saying only that everyone was pleased that the bitter battle was over.

Outside court, Alan Kaminsky, a lawyer for Ashanti, called the decision by both sides to drop all litigation “an excellent result.”

“I’m very pleased the plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed the case against us,” Ashanti said outside court, where she had been scheduled to continue her testimony.

The lawsuits were time-consuming, the 25-year-old singer said, and “I’d rather be in the studio writing.”

Parker, the producer who had helped Ashanti record some demo tapes of several songs at his apartment when she was 16, said outside court that he was “happy it’s over.”

Last year, another jury concluded that Ashanti broke a contract with Parker and owed him $630,000. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff rejected all but $50,000 of the award on the grounds that the jurors did not have adequate facts to determine damages so they were left to speculate.

The judge’s decision led to the new trial, where Parker had been seeking $2.3 million.

On Monday, Kaminsky told the jury that Ashanti should not have to pay Parker anything because he had no role in her career after he released her from his contract so she could sign with another company.

Although the release called for Parker to receive money from the company for her first three albums, the company eventually rejected Ashanti and no records were made.

Later, she met Irv Gotti and worked with Murder Inc. to produce music for three records that sold 6 million copies, Ashanti testified.

“Ashanti,” her debut album, won a Grammy Award for best contemporary R&B album.

The singer, whose full name is Ashanti Douglas, recently played a cheerleader in the film “John Tucker Must Die.”

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) – Eminem, his estranged wife and their lawyers met privately in a judge’s chambers Tuesday but failed to agree to terms for the couple’s second divorce.

“We didn’t settle it, so all we did was set it for mediation,” Macomb County Circuit Judge Antonio Viviano told reporters after the conference, which lasted about an hour.

Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, filed for divorce from Kimberley Mathers on April 5, 82 days after their second wedding.

The couple had daughter Hailie in 1996, married in 1999, divorced in 2001, remarried on Jan. 14 and then quickly separated again.

The 33-year-old rapper has used his sometimes tormented relationship with his high school sweetheart as a source of some of his angriest lyrics.

Kimberley Mathers, 31, has another daughter and is raising her sister’s daughter. Eminem has been legal guardian of his half brother.

Kimberley Mathers declined comment on her way out of the courthouse. Eminem wasn’t seen leaving the building.

His lawyer, Harvey Hauer, and Kimberley Mathers’ lawyer, Michael J. Smith, wouldn’t discuss the hearing but expressed optimism for a settlement.

“Mr. Mathers’ only concern is the welfare of his children,” Hauer said. “Hopefully, we’ll put the matter behind us.”

“Like Marshall … what she really wants is the welfare of the children,” Smith said. “The parties are hopeful that it will be settled amicably.”

Eminem has won nine Grammy Awards, including best rap album for “The Slim Shady LP,” “The Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Eminem Show.” He won an Oscar for the song “Lose Yourself” from “8 Mile,” the semi-autobiographical 2002 film in which he starred.

His latest recording project, “Eminem Presents: The Re-Up,” will be released in December.

Initially expected to be a street mixtape project designed to help launch new artists on his record label, Shady Records, the CD now will be offered for sale in record stores by Interscope Records.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The principal at Benjamin Franklin High School wanted a speaker who would get students’ attention. He succeeded. Some 750 students erupted in cheers when Sean “Diddy” Combs walked out on stage.

“This is a really important time for you all right now,” Combs said. “This is the time that is going to dictate your future.”

The 36-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records looked the part in sunglasses and flashy jewelry. He called some students on stage and talked to them one on one about their goals. His advice: work hard and stay in school.

“Take responsibility for your future. No excuses!” Combs said.

The school district also plans to use Diddy’s message in an anti-truancy campaign, said Cecilia Cummings, senior vice president for communications and community relations.

“We wanted someone whom they would sit down and listen to, someone who comes from the same type of background,” said Principal Christopher Johnson. “To have a superstar come in to talk is extremely powerful.”

Combs’ new album, “Press Play,” is scheduled for release next month.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mel Gibson’s daughter, Hannah, married blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd this weekend.

Gibson, 26, and Shepherd, 29, of Benton, La., exchanged vows in California on Saturday, People magazine reported on its Web site.

Shepherd’s albums include “Ledbetter Heights” and “Live On.”

He proposed to Gibson on New Year’s Eve 2004 in Rome, according to The Times of Shreveport, La.

Gibson, 50, and his wife, Robyn, have seven children. Hannah is their oldest child and only daughter.

The wedding came almost two months after Gibson, 50, star of the “Lethal Weapon” movies and director of “The Passion of the Christ,” was arrested for drunken driving in Malibu on July 28.

Gibson has publicly apologized for an anti-Semitic tirade he unleashed when he was arrested. He has called the remarks “despicable.”

In August, Gibson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge in a deal that called for alcohol rehabilitation, fines and probation.