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Ashanti (AH'-shaun-tee) Douglas was born in 1980 in Glen
Cove, Long Island, New York into a musical family. Her father used to
sing and her mother is a dance instructor. Ashanti began to
sing in a gospel choir at the age of 6. As she grew, her musical
talent developed and with it, appearances followed.
 She danced in a show at Carnegie Hall and in the
Disney television musical "Polly." It was in high school
that she honed her songwriting skills and harnessed her talent for
creating a story that people could relate to, song after song - and
she's rolling.
Ashanti first announced her presence with the
Big Pun hit "How We Roll" in 2001. Her sound was infectious
and caught the attention of record producers. Irv Gotti, the polished
producer with Murder Inc. Records, was credited with her discovery and
what was supposed to be an initial collaboration, turned into a record
contract. The demure and feminine Ashanti was hesitant at first
to sign with a label named Murder Inc., but she filled a void in the
company stable of talent. What was a pure rap label became stronger
with the arrival of the R&B singer.
The marketing team at Murder Inc. went to work to
promote Ashanti in time for her debut release. She was featured
on the Ja Rule smash "Always On Time," receiving major
airwave and video exposure. In addition, her voice was lent to
reigning Don of the Terror Squad, Fat Joe, for his big hit
"What's Luv?". Ashanti stole both songs away from the
thug rappers and created such a buzz that her self-titled debut album
was released early, on April 9, 2002.
The first single "Foolish" ripped apart
the charts and the video was on heavy rotation as well. As a result,
"Ashanti" sold more than half a million units the first week
and debuted in the top spot, a major achievement for a relative
unknown with almost no expectations on her shoulders. Ashanti
has served notice that she is moving on up.
Hit songs include --
- Only U
- Foolish
- Rain On Me
- Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
- Happy
- Southside
- Baby
- Still On It
- Breakup 2 Makeup
Ashanti may be available for your next special event!
For booking information, click
HERE!
Genre: R&B
Genre: Rap
Styles:
.Contemporary R&B.
.Urban.
.Hip-Hop.
.Pop.Years active:
..00s
Born: ..in New York
..in Long Island
..in Glen Cove
Oct 13, 1980
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