Ashanti biography

Ashanti brings her best game and more on her fourth studio album, the aptly titled The Declaration, arriving in June of 2008 as the most complete and compelling offering of her career. A soaring collection of new tracks, penned by the multi-talented artist, the intricately produced album captures her alluring presence and incredible vocal range.

The Declaration is an impressive rollout of A-list producers, including Jermaine Dupri, LT Hutton, Babyface, Pharrell Williams, Bryan Michael Cox and others. A sizzling snapshot of the heat-seeking Ashanti can be gleamed from the new single; “The Way That I Love You” produced LT Hutton. The song skillfully plays up the ever-present voice of the star. You can feel Ashanti reveling in her new-found independence, which she effortlessly displays with a powerful sense of purpose throughout every song on the new album. “One of the reasons I call the album ‘The Declaration,’ is because I feel it’s important to present all sides of what being a woman is about,” she says. “Historically, we’ve always been relegated to the bottom of the totem pole, whether it’s business or the battle of the sexes or just empowering each other. I want this album to make people feel stronger about themselves. I’ve always used the ups and downs in my own life as well as others close to me as a motivational tool and I hope my music comes off that way. I felt a lot of passion making this record. I loved every minute I was in the studio.”

Singer/Songwriter, Actor, Author Ashanti is a native of Glen Cove, Long Island. She burst onto the music scene with her 2002 smash hit debut album self-titled Ashanti. The album landed at the #1 spot on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts, selling a whopping 504,593 units in its first week. Her first week set a Sound scan record as the most albums sold by any debut female artist in the chart’s history, granting her a spot in the Guinness book of world records. Simultaneously, Ashanti also secured the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and the R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart with her song, “Foolish.” She made Billboard history by having her first three chart entries land in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. She is the first female to accomplish this feat previously only attained by the Beatles. That year she was awarded 8 Billboard Awards. Her album “Ashanti” topped the Billboard Album Chart and also won the Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. In addition, that year she won 2 American Music Awards and the Soul Train Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the year Award. Her follow-up release, “Chapter II,” debuted in the no. 1 slot on the Billboard Album Chart and spawned two Top-10 singles. In addition to her Grammy, she’s also won an NAACP Image Award. Numerous Soul Train Awards, A MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award, A Comet Award (Grammy Equivalent in Germany), Lady of Soul Awards and a Teen Choice and Nickelodeon’s Kid Choice Award, along with many other nominations including an MTV movie award nomination for “Coach Carter.” Ashanti’s other albums include “Ashanti’s Christmas", "Concrete Rose", and a remix album titled, "Collectibles by Ashanti".

Ashanti is hot off the #1 box office hit, “Resident Evil Extinction” staring opposite Milla Jovovich for Sony Screen Gems. Previously, she stared in the hugely successful “John Tucker Must Die” in an ensemble cast composed of Ashanti, Brittany Snow, Sofia Bush, Ariel Kebble and Jessie Metcalfe. In her feature film debut “Coach Carter,” she co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson. She can be seen as an Indian Songstress who sings in Hindi and English as she dances in the film, “Bride & Prejudice.” Ashanti made her telefilm debut helming “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz,” opposite Miss Piggy and Kermit. She got her start in acting on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and portrayed Dionne Warwick on “American Dreams.”

She has written her first book of poetry through Hyperion titled Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love which is currently in its sixth edition.

Ashanti is also an entrepreneur who has her own fragrance, "Precious Jewel" sold at Wal-Mart and other fine stores as well as a Dietary Supplement “Ashanti’s OPC-3 Beauty Blend”.

Her endorsements include: Herbal Essences, where she is the first African American to land a national campaign, Candies Apparel, as well as MUDD Jeans, "DELICIOUS CURVES".

Ashanti has performed before Presidents and Royalty. She has performed duets with the likes of Pattie Labelle, Smokie Robinson, Ronald Isley, Stevie Wonder and Kenny Chesney to name a few. She has appeared on shows ranging from Oprah, Ellen, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Regis & Kelly, Saturday Night Live, The View, Conan O’Brien, BET 106 & Park, MTV TRL, VH1 and Fuse TV among others. She has performed on virtually every music awards show from the American Music Awards to the Grammy’s, the MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Europe Awards, the Soul Train Awards and the Kids’ Choice Awards. She is an American Favorite, singing the National Anthem and God Bless America for major events including the World Series.