Biography
Early life
Ashanti was born on October 13, 1980, in
Glen Cove, New York. She inherited a zest for music from her mother Tina, a former dance teacher, and her father Ken-Kaide, a former singer. Her mother named her after the
Ashanti tribe in
Ghana. In this tribe, the women are in control and that's the kind of strong and confident woman Ashant's mother wanted her daughter to be. Her grandfather, James, was a civil rights activist who associated with
Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1960s.
[3] Growing up, Ashanti took dance lessons and joined the church choir. Ashanti went to Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center where she studied different dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet, African, modern and hip hop. She danced with the Senior Pro Ensemble at
Carnegie Hall, the
Apollo Theater,
Brooklyn Academy of Music,
Avery Fisher Hall, and the Black Spectrum Theater. She also performed at the 1994 Caribbean Awards and dancing with
Judith Jamison of the
Alvin Ailey Dance Company. With actress and choreographer
Debbie Allen at the helm, Ashanti also performed in the
Disney TV film Polly alongside stars
Keshia Knight Pulliam and
Phylicia Rashad.
Ashanti displayed a knack for singing when she was six by singing in a gospel choir. Her love of music continued to rise as she attended high school. Ashanti also wrote songs. As a teenager, she performed in a local talent show and at the Soul Cafe, China Club,
Madison Square Garden, Caroline's Comedy Club and Greek Fest 2000.
[4] By the time she hit puberty, her mom was sending out demo tapes of her daughter's vocal and dancing talents. The family couldn't afford to go to a studio and record a formal demo so when labels called, Ashanti would have to sing and dance in front of the record company executives.
[
edit] Early Career
Can't Stop (recorded in 1997 but released in 2004)
When she was 14, there was a bidding war going on for her by
Jive Records,
EMI and
Bad Boy Records. Initially, she went to Bad Boy Records and sang one of
Mary J. Blige's songs in front of
P.Diddy and
Biggie Smalls. After being impressed by her singing ability, Diddy then challenged her character. He pulled out a bottle and told her it was his new fragance which he loved. After one sniff, Ashanti exclaimed, "Oh pew, it stinks. I hate it!" Diddy just started laughing and said it was just a test to judge her character. In the end, she didn't sign with Diddy. This ultimately led to a record deal with
Jive Records in 1994. Unfortunately, this relationship soured when Jive tried to make the soulful singing teen into a run-of-the-mill pop star.
[5]Ashanti regrouped by throwing herself into schoolwork, cheerleading, and running on her school's track team. Her skills in the 100- and 200-meter dash as well as the triple jump, her specialty, earned her athletic scholarships to Princeton & Hampton University. But she put college pursuits aside when
Epic Records came calling with a contract in 1998. However, the label's management changes quickly left Ashanti out in the cold. Undaunted, she continued to croon at local New York clubs and began hanging out at the
Murder Inc. recording studio, hoping for another big break.
[6][
edit]
Irv Gotti &
Murder Inc.
It was when she was noticed by
Murder Inc. mastermind
Irv Gotti that Ashanti began to blossom. Gotti noted her dancing and acting abilities in addition to her vocal skills. In 2001, Ashanti was first featured as a background vocalist on rapper
Big Pun's song "How We Roll". In the same year, Ashanti was featured on fellow labelmate
Cadillac Tah's singles "Pov City Anthem" and "Just Like A Thug". She also appeared on the 2001
The Fast and the Furious soundtrack as a featured artist on
Vita's 2001
hip hop remake of
Madonna's "
Justify My Love" and on the solo track "When a Man Does Wrong". She appeared as a background vocalist on "
I'm Real (Murder Remix)", a collaboration by labelmate
Ja Rule and
Jennifer Lopez (she also appeared in the music video for
Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix), the 2nd duet between Lopez & Rule, for which she also sang background vocals on), and was featured on
Fat Joe's "What's Luv?" and Ja Rule's "
Always on Time". "What's Luv?" and "
Always on Time" were released simultaneously and became two of the biggest hit songs of 2002. Ashanti became the first female to occupy the top two positions on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100 chart when "Always on Time" and "What's Luv?" were number-one and number-two respectively.
[
edit]
Debut album:
AshantiAshanti (2002)
Following the success of her collaborations with Ja Rule and Fat Joe, Ashanti released her debut single, "
Foolish", which contained a
sample of the 1983 song "Stay With Me" by
DeBarge (also utilized by
The Notorious B.I.G. in his 1995 hit "
One More Chance"). She became the second artist (after the
The Beatles) to have their first three chart entries in the top ten of the Hot 100 simultaneously. Ashanti's self-titled debut album,
Ashanti, was released on
Irv Gotti's
Murder Inc. record label in April 2002. It debuted at number-one on the U.S.
Billboard 200 albums chart, selling over 503,000 copies in its first week (the most successful first week sales for a debut R&B female artist).
[7] The album has been certified 3x
platinum in the U.S and platinum (300,000 copies) in the UK. The album has sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide. Ashanti penned all 12 songs on the album, most written on-the-spot in the studio.
Ashanti's follow-up singles, "
Happy" and "
Baby", were not as successful as her debut single but did peak in the top ten and top twenty in the U.S. respectively. During the summer of 2002, Ashanti appeared on Ja Rule's "Down 4 U" with labelmates, female rappers
Vita and
Charli Baltimore. The song appeared on a Murder Inc. compilation titled Irv Gotti Presents The Inc. Ashanti's debut album earned her many awards including eight
Billboard Music Awards, two
American Music Awards, a Lady of Soul Award for "Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year," and a
Grammy Award.
In September 2002, Ashanti and her sister Kenashia appeared on the first
DisneyMania cd which was released under
Walt Disney Records. The album featured contemporary
Disney classics. Ashanti & her sister sang "
Colors of the Wind" from the Disney movie
Pocahontas. The album was considered a commercial success, achieving
Gold certification in February, 2003.
Ashanti's global appeal became very apparent, as
FHM credited her as the "Sexiest Woman in Music" in 2002. In 2003, Ja Rule and Ashanti collaborated on another hit song, "
Mesmerize." Its music video was a parody of a scene from the film
Grease.
[
edit]
Chapter IIChapter II (2003)
In July 2003, Ashanti released her second album
Chapter II. It debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 326,000 in the U.S. According to Billboard magazine, the album has been certified Platinum (1.5 million copies) in the U.S. and Gold (100,000 copies) in the UK. Chapter II's first single, "
Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)", became a hit, peaking at number-two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its steamy video, which showed Ashanti in a bikini frolicking on a beach and riding an elephant named Bubbles, was nominated for two 2003
MTV Video Music Awards. A remix of the song contained interpolations of
Michael Jackson's "
Rock with You".
The second single, "
Rain on Me," reached the top ten of the Hot 100. In the "
Rain on Me" mini-movie music video directed by
Hype Williams and co-starring
Larenz Tate, Ashanti portrays a troubled young woman in an abusive relationship. Ashanti's powerful song and lyrics combined with William's visuals to impart the power and horror of the cycle of domestic violence. Ashanti partnered with LidRock to distribute this mini-movie using LidRock's unique platform. This promotion, in conjunction with heavy rotation on
MTV,
BET, and other music video programs, has brought this film and her cause to the attention of millions of fans. It has also helped to raise money for the cause with proceeds from the $5 mini-disc going toward helping to stop domestic violence.
[8]The album has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Ashanti was scheduled to join
Mariah Carey on her "
Charmbracelet" US tour but due to schedule issues she was the opening act for
R.Kelly's five-date tour in summer 2003 instead.
In May 2003, Ashanti appeared on
VH1 Divas and performed her single "
Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)." She also participated in duets with
Stevie Wonder (who later gave her the nickname Little Libra) performing "
Do I Do," and the
Isley Brothers performing "
Who's That Lady".
[
edit]
Ashanti's ChristmasIn November 2003, Ashanti's Christmas album,
Ashanti's Christmas The album contained almost an equal amount of new songs to cover songs. The album debuted and peaked at 160 in late 2003 selling just around 100,000 copies.
[
edit]
Concrete RoseConcrete Rose (2004)
In 2004, Ashanti was invited back to perform at VH1 Divas 2004. She appeared on stage with
Patti LaBelle,
Gladys Knight,
Jessica Simpson, and others. She performed
Diana Ross' smash hit "
I'm Coming Out" and she performed a soulful rendition of
Chaka Khan's funk driven hit "
Ain't Nobody."
Ashanti appeared on three more collaborations. "
Southside," with male R&B newcomer and labelmate
Lloyd, was released as his debut single and was a moderate hit while "Wonderful" with Ja Rule and
R.Kelly peaked at #5 in the U.S and at #1 in UK. Ashanti was also featured on
Shyne's song "Jimmy Choo".
Alongside artist such as
Wyclef Jean,
Mary J. Blige,
Eve,
Brandy,
Fabolous,
Jadakiss,
Missy Elliott, and many others, Ashanti participated in a cover of the classic "
Wake Up Everybody" in support of
ACT, the left-leaning political action committee.
On
December 14,
2004, Ashanti released her third studio album,
Concrete Rose. The album debuted at #7 in the U.S with first week sales of 245,000, making this her first studio CD to not debut at #1. The first single, "
Only U," reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and became her biggest hit in the
United Kingdom, peaking at #2. Exactly one month after its release, the album was certified platinum and the single
Only U was certified Gold In January 2005.
[
edit]
Ashanti:The Making Of A Star DVDIn December 2004, for a limited time after the release of her third studio album,
Concrete Rose, Ashanti released the DVD
Ashanti: The Making Of A Star. This deluxe DVD includes exclusive photo and video shoot footage, music from her multi-platinum albums
Ashanti,
Chapter II plus
Concrete Rose, special concert footage, unreleased childhood school performances and behind-the-scenes interviews with family, friends, & fans. On
June 21,
2005, a second version of the DVD with alternate music videos was made available to the public as a
Walmart exclusive. It was paired with the hit movie
Coach Carter, which Ashanti starred in as a pregnant teen named Kyra.
[
edit]
Collectables by AshantiOn December 6, 2005, Ashanti released a remix album of Concrete Rose titled
Collectables by Ashanti. The album features six remixes of previously released tracks and four newly recorded songs, including the single "
Still on It", which featured rappers
Paul Wall and
Method Man. The album, was only an opportunity for her to fulfill her contract with Def Jam (and have the option of working with another label), managing to debut at #59 on the Billboard 200.
[
edit]
IncredibleAshanti's next album has been confirmed by a BET interview as being entitled
Incredible. This will be Ashanti's fourth studio album. On Monday, November 27, 2006, Ashanti appeared on BET's 106 & Park to promote the posthumous release of the song Pac's Life, which features herself and rapper
T.I.. During the interview, Ashanti mentioned that her new LP would be coming out some time in 2007 and that some of the producers of her 2007 release included
L.T. Hutton,
Jermaine Dupri, and
Pharrell Williams. She also stated that she recorded a "crazy" record with rapper
Snoop Dogg.
In January 2007, a buzz track has leaked called "You Can't Deny It", featuring
Jim Jones as did a feature with super producer
7 Aurelius titled "My Number Babe", which is scheduled to be on the producers' debut cd entitled
Channel 7. On Friday, April 06, 2007, HUFF Events & PR (Ashanti's P.R. Group) confirmed that Ashanti has just finished recording some hot joints with super producers
Pharrell Williams,
Polow Da Don,
Dr. Dre, Ron "Neff-U" Feemstar and
L.T. Hutton. It was also confirmed that she has collaborated with fellow singers
Robin Thicke,
Babyface, rapper
Nelly, and producers
Bryan Michael Cox and
Swizz Beats.
[9][10]Irv Gotti recently appeared in an interview with DJ FlexMaster where he mentioned Ashanti's album will "definitely be out this Summer". He was also quoted addressing the fact that Ashanti has ventured out and acquired producers and collaborations primarily outside the inc for the first time by saying, "she's having her little
Janet Jackson "
Control" moment. Every artist has their moment when the feel they need to take over their own music. This is hers." Rumors are circulating that Ashanti has left
The Inc Records for a 15-20 million, four year contract with
Jive records but no reliable sources have surfaced to back up this claim.
Acting career
Poster for
The Muppets' Wizard of OzAshanti got her first taste of acting as a child extra in the
Spike Lee directed movies
Malcolm X starring
Denzel Washington &
Who's Da Man. She also started as a dancer in the
Disney tv film
Polly.
[11]After success with her music career, Ashanti ventured back into acting and in 2004, she appeared in the English-language
Bollywood film
Bride and Prejudice, in which she sang "My Lips are Waiting" and "Touch My Body'. In January 2005, she made her feature film acting debut in the film
Coach Carter alongside
Samuel L. Jackson. The movie opened at number-one at the U.S. box office, eventually grossing $70 million in the U.S. In 2005, Ashanti also starred as
Dorothy Gale in the made-for-television film
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz which pulled in nearly 8 million viewers. She starred in the 2006 film
John Tucker Must Die, which opened and peaked at #3 at the U.S. box office (competing with
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and
Miami Vice) which grossed $58.7 million worldwide. She has also appeared on the TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch as herself and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Lissa.
[12] Ashanti will also appear in the 2007 film "
Resident Evil: Extinction." Many rumors are floating around...one is that she will work with
Quentin Tarantino (Who had a cameo as a The Muppets' Wizard of Oz) and to revive the 70's show
Get Christie Love and she also up to star as
Eartha Kitt in a bio-pic. Ashanti is to star in
Spike Lee's protégé, Michael "Boogie" Pinckney's action flick, "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Kills You," which starts shooting in New York City in May 2007 alongside
The Sopranos'
Michael Imperioli and rappers
Jadakiss, and
Treach.
[13]In an interview Ashanti stated: "I can't say too much about them because we haven't signed on the dotted line, but there are a lot of interesting irons in the fire," she says. "Hopefully, by the next conversation, we'll be talking about the next two flicks."
[
edit] Other activities
Ashanti's Perfume "Precious Jewel" (2005)
In addition to singing, Ashanti has emerged as a
songwriter, penning songs for
Jennifer Lopez,
Christina Milian, and
Toni Braxton. She released a book of poetry titled Foolish/Unfoolish Reflections on Love in 2002 and a fragrance, "Precious Jewel by Ashanti," in October 2005. In 2005, she signed an exclusive deal with MUDD to promote their brand of jeans titled "Delicious Curves." In early 2006, she released "Ashanti's OPC-3 Beauty Blend," a nutritional supplement. Ashanti also has a clothing line in Europe for teenage girls titled "Princess."
On May 2, 2002 Ashanti received the key to the city of Glen Cove, New York (her hometown and the day was named Ashanti Day); Ashanti also received a key to the city of Atlantic City, New Jersey (she was crowned princess of hip hop and r & b).
[14]Ashanti is set to showcase her style in a book, titled Ashanti Style, which will be released in late 2007. The book, which is being touted as Ashanti's "life and style guide" will offer fans a behind-the-scenes look into her style, both in her personal and professional life. Ashanti Style will be published by Jump at the Sun, an imprint of
Disney's Hyperion Books for Children. Another venture Ashanti has enlisted in is her own handbags and pocketbook to be revealed in 2007.
[15][
edit] Legal dispute
In July
2005, record producer Genard Parker claimed Ashanti owed him money for records that never were completed or distributed.
[16] A New York court heard Parker's claims and ordered her to pay Parker $636,000. But as the court stated no time records were ever produced. Parker is claiming over $2.3 million, while Ashanti's lawyers, say Parker never delivered any records and no records were ever distributed.
[17] In late
2005 a judge later rejected most of the award, ruling that there was not sufficient facts to determine the proper amount of damages. The case went to court on
17 September, but was dropped in light of each party voluntarily dropping pending lawsuits against each other.
Personal life
Since mid-2003,
Ashanti has been dating rapper
Nelly, but she has denied reports that they were engaged.
[18]Filmography
Films
Poster for
Coach CarterBride and Prejudice (2004)
Coach Carter (2005)
John Tucker Must Die (2006)
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
You're Nobody Till Somebody Kills You (2007)
[
edit] Television
American Dreams (2002)
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2002)
The Proud Family (voice) (2003)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (2003)
Pepsi Smash (2003)
Punk'd (2004)
Oxygen: Custom Concert (2004)
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)
Las Vegas (TV series) (2005)
All That (2005)
Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball (2006)
[
edit] Endorsements & Products
CandiesWet SealHyperion BooksFoolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love
Ashanti Style (late 2007)
BET Public Service AnnouncementWrap It Up: AIDS/HIV Prevention
McDonald'sMake A Wish
Mercedes-BenzPerformer/Model
LidrockRain On Me Mini Movie (Domestic Violence Prevention)
The Family Violence Prevention Fund (2003- )
Rain On Me Mini Movie
Public Service Announcement
Herbal EssenceWal-MartPrecious Jewel By Ashanti (2005)
MUDD JeansDelicious Curves Jeans (2005)
OPC-3 Beauty BlendAshanti's OPC-3 Beauty Blend (2006)
[
edit] Discography
For full information including chart positions and singles, please see
Ashanti discography.
[
edit] Albums
Year
Chart Statistics
Singles
2002
AshantiStudio album.
Released:
April 2,
2002USA peak position: 1
U.K. peak position: 3
U.S. sales: 3 million
RIAA certification: 3x platinum
Worldwide sales: 4 million
"
Foolish"
"
Happy"
"
Baby"
2003
Chapter IIStudio album
Released:
July 1,
2003USA peak position: 1
U.K. peak position: 5
U.S. sales: 1.5 million
RIAA certification: platinum
Worldwide sales: 2.5 million
"
Rock wit U (Awww Baby)"
"
Rain on Me"
"Breakup 2 Makeup"
2003
Ashanti's ChristmasHoliday album
Released:
November 18,
2003USA peak position: 160
UK peak position:
U.S. sales: 100,000
RIAA certification:
Worldwide sales:
2004
Concrete RoseStudio album
Released:
December 14,
2004USA peak position: 7
UK peak position: 25
U.S. sales: 650,000
RIAA certification: platinum
Worldwide sales: 1 million
"
Only U"
"
Don't Let Them"
2005
Collectables by AshantiRemix album
Released:
December 6,
2005USA peak position: 59
UK peak position: 72
U.S. sales: 100,000
Worldwide sales: 100,000
"
Still on It[
edit] Awards
[
edit] Grammy Awards and nominations
Career stats
Career wins: 1
Career nominations: 8
Year
Category
Genre
Title
Result
2003
Best New Artist
General
"Ashanti"
Nominated
2003
Best Contemporary R&B Album
R&B
"Ashanti"
Won
2003
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Rap
"Always on Time"
Nominated
2003
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Rap
"What's Luv"
Nominated
2003
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
R&B
"Foolish"
Nominated
2004
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
R&B
"Rain On Me"
Nominated
2004
Best R&B Song
R&B
"Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)"
Nominated
2004
Best Contemporary R&B Album
R&B
"Chapter II"
Nominated
[
edit] 2002
Lady of Soul AwardsBest R&B/Soul New Artist
Aretha Franklin Entertainer Of The Year
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Breakout Artist
MOBO AwardsBest R&B Act
Best Hip Hop Act (Ashanti with Ja Rule)
Billboard Music AwardsFemale Artist of the Year
Top New Pop Artist of the Year
Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year
R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist of the Year
New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year ("
Foolish")
R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year
[
edit] 2003
ASCAP Pop Music Awards[19]Award-Winning Pop Songs ("
Foolish")
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards[20]Top R&B/HIP-HOP Song ("
Foolish")
Award-Winning R&B/HIP-HOP Songs ("
Baby")
Award-Winning Rap Songs ("Down 4 U")
American Music AwardsFavorite New Artist in Pop/Rock
Favorite New Artist in Hip-Hop/R&B
Grammy AwardsBest Comtemporary R&B Album
Soul Train AwardsBest R&B/Soul Single, Female ("
Foolish")
Best R&B/Soul Album, Female ("
Ashanti")
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding New Artist
Nickelodeon Kids Choice AwardsBest New Artist
Celebrity Service Award
[21][
edit] 2004
ASCAP Pop Music Awards[22]Award-Winning Pop Songs ("
Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)")
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards[23]Award-Winning R&B/HIP-HOP Songs ("
Rain On Me")
Do Something Brick Awards
"Do Something" Brick Award ("Rain on Me")
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