Artist: Ashanti (Ashanti Douglas)
Date of Birth: October 13, 1980
Reppin': Glen Cove, Long Island, New York
Influences: Mary J. Blige, Ella Fitzgerald, Blue Magic
Breakthrough Single: Always on Time, Foolish
Producer(s): Irv Gotti
Album: Ashanti

"I want to create something so real and reflective that people just sit back and listen. Everyone has gone through something that's on this album, and I want to be able to articulate their feelings. If you're a person who has trouble expressing yourself, all you have to do is pop in this album and it'll speak for you".

~ Ashanti Douglas on her album, "Ashanti".

Ashanti was destined for success as a performer. Her father was a talented singer and her mother is a dance instructor. Ashanti began to sing in a gospel choir at the age of 6. As she grew older, with nurturing from her family, her musical talent and performance abilities developed exponentially.

Ashanti danced in a show at Carnegie Hall and in the Disney television musical Polly. In high school Ashanti began developing her songwriting skills to go along with her singing and dancing talent. It was in high school that she realized that she had a talent for harnessing her emotions and putting them into song.

Big Pun’s 2001 hit "How We Roll" was Ashanti's first big mainstream track. Her appearance on that track caught the attention of record producers. Irv Gotti, the producer known for breakin g artists such as DMX and Ja rule is credited with her discovery and what was supposed to be an initial collaboration between the two turned into a record contract. 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 hardcore rap label became more rounded and radio-friendly with the attractive R&B singer.

Ashanti’s big break came when she was featured on the Ja Rule hit "Always On Time," receiving major airwave and video play. In a synergistic coup, Ashanti sang the hook on Fat Joe’s commerical breakthrough hit "What's Luv?" at approximately the same time. Ashanti also sang on rap artist Vita's remake of Madonna's, Justify My Love. Her appearance on these tracks helped create considerable heat for her self-titled debut album, which was released early, on April 9, 2002, to take advantage of her burgeoning popularity.

Ashanti’s first single "Foolish" was an instant success and stayed in heavy rotation on urban and pop radio stations and music video shows. Ashanti sold over half a million units the first week and debuted in the top spot, a major coup for a virtual unknown with almost no expectations on her shoulders.

Ashanti also trained as a dancer at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center, learning a number of dance styles. She danced most notably in Disney's Polly, which starred Phylicia Rashad, and also appeared in a number of big-name music videos, in addition to other dance work. Additionally, Ashanti was a backup singer for Jennifer Lopez, and turned down an opportunity to attend Princeton University and a track scholarship at Hampton University to pursue her singing career.