Ashanti Douglas

Birth name Ashanti Shequoyia Douglas
Born October 13, 1980
Origin Glen Clove, New York,
United States
Genre(s) R&B,Hip Hop Soul,Pop
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, poet, actress, fashion designer
Years active 1994–present
Label(s) Jive (1994–1995) , Epic (1997–1998) , AJM Records (1999–2003)
The Inc. (2001–Present)
Website AshantiThisIsMe.com

Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas (born October 13, 1980), professionally known as Ashanti, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, poet, actress, and fashion designer who rose to fame in the early 2000s. She is also acclaimed as the "Princess of hip hop and r&b."

Biography

Early life

Ashanti was born in Glen Cove, New York to Ken Kaide Douglas, a singer, and Tina, a dance instructor. Her grandfather, James, was a civil rights activist who associated with Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1960s. Before she pursued a music career she was accepted to Hampton and Princeton University.

Early career

Ashanti was first featured as a background vocalist on rapper Big Pun's song "How We Roll". 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), 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.

Debut album: Ashanti

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 504,000 copies in its first week (the most successful first week sales for a debut R&B female artist). The album has been certified 3x platinum in the U.S. The album has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

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.

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.

Chapter II

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. 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, 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�fs powerful song and lyrics combined with William'fs visuals to impart the power and horror of the cycle of domestic violence. Ashanti partnered with LidRock to distribute this mini-movie using LidRock'fs 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.

The album has sold over 3 million copies world-wide, becoming another a smash for Ashanti

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".

Ashanti's Christmas

In 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.

Concrete Rose

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.

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 #3 in the U.S and at #1 in UK. Ashanti was also featured on Shyne's song "Jimmy Choo".

Ashanti released her third studio album, Concrete Rose, in December 2004. 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 the top fifteen of the Hot 100 and became her biggest hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at #2, The album has been certified platinum in the U.S.

Collectables by Ashanti

On 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.

Incredible

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.

Ashanti's next album has been confirmed by a BET interview as being entitled Incredible. This will be Ashanti's fourth studio album. A buzz track has been released called "You Can't Deny", featuring Jim Jones. Incredible is due in Spring 2007.

Acting career

After success with her music career, Ashanti has also ventured into acting. 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. Ashanti won the "sexiest lead female in a children's film award" in an internet poll.[citation needed] 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. Ashanti will also appear in the 2007 film "Resident Evil: Extinction."

Other activities

In 2007 Ashanti will launch her second fragrance title "Captivating".

In addition to singing, Ashanti has emerged as a songwriter, penning songs for pop and R&B performers 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."

Ashanti has received the keys to the cities of Glen Cove, New York (her hometown, on May 2, 2002 and the day was named Ashanti's Day), Atlantic City (crowned Princess of Hip Hop, on July 22, 2002), and Miami, Florida.

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. Ashanti cites Mary J. Blige, Ella Fitzgerald, and Blue Magic as her musical influences.

Legal dispute

In July 2005, record producer Genard Parker claimed Ashanti owed him money for records that never were completed or distributed. 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. 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 the each party voluntarily dropping pending lawsuits against each other.

Personal life

Ashanti has been dating rapper Nelly since 2003. Despite rumors, the couple are not engaged. Ashanti made a statement denying reports that she is engaged to Nelly.

Filmography

Films

* Bride and Prejudice (2004)
* Coach Carter (2005)
* The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (TV) (2005)
* John Tucker Must Die (2006)
* Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)

Television

* American Dreams (2002)
* Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2002)
* The Proud Family (voice) (2003)
* Buffy The Vampire Slayer (2003)
* Punk'd (2004)
* Oxygen: Custom Concert (2004)
* Las Vegas (TV series) (2005)
* All That (2005)
* Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball (2006)

Awards

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

2002

* Lady of Soul Awards
o Best R&B/Soul New Artist
o Aretha Franklin Entertainer Of The Year

* Teen Choice Awards
o Choice Breakout Artist

* MOBO Awards
o Best R&B Act
o Best Hip Hop Act (Ashanti with Ja Rule)

* Billboard Music Awards
o Female Artist of the Year
o Top New Pop Artist of the Year
o Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year
o R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
o R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist of the Year
o New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
o R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year ("Foolish")
o R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year

2003

* American Music Awards
o Favorite New Artist in Pop/Rock
o Favorite New Artist in Hip-Hop/R&B

* Grammy Awards
o Best Comtemporary R&B Album

* Soul Train Awards
o Best R&B/Soul Single, Female ("Foolish")
o Best R&B/Soul Album, Female ("Ashanti")

* NAACP Image Awards
o Outstanding New Artist

* Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards
o Best New Artist

* Celebrity Service Award

2004

* Do Something Brick Awards
o "Do Something" Brick Award ("Rain on Me")

  

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