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Member Number: 640
Personal Information
Born October 13, 1980, raised in Glen Cove, Long Island, NY; parents Tina and Kincaid.
Career
Singer: Album, Ashanti, 2002, Murder Inc. Records; singles: with Ja Rule, "Always on Time,"; with Big Pun, "How We Roll,"; with Fat Joe, "What's Luv,". Other vocals: with P. Diddy, "We Invented the Remix," with Ja Rule, soundtrack, The Fast and the Furious; with Vita, "Justify My Love." Actress: Film: Malcolm X, Who's da Man, Polly. Television: American Dreams, NBC, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, WB. Author: Reflections on Love: Foolish/Unfoolish, Hyperion Books, 2002. Has also worked as a professional dancer.
Life's Work
April Fool's Day 2002 found R & B songstress Ashanti awaiting the midnight release of her self-titled debut album. That week she had already become the first artist since The Beatles to have three songs in the Billboard top ten. Two of those songs went on to grab the number one and two spots, a feat no other woman in U.S. chart history had accomplished. Meanwhile, a song she wrote for another artist was sitting in the number three spot. Of this unprecedented success she said in an on-line interview with www.teenpeople.com the night before her album hit, "Oh my gosh, it feels crazy, and overwhelming! It's a blessing!" More blessings were soon to follow. Her album debuted at number one. Within a week it had sold half a million copies--a record for first week sales by a female artist. Irv Gotti, CEO of Murder Inc., Ashanti's record label, and a man known as a visionary in the rap and hip-hop realms told Music Television (MTV) of the debut, "I always say we can go beyond our expectations, but she went beyond my expectations. It's never happened to me, where I thought we could do something and it went beyond my expectations." Her mother, Ashanti's self-described "momager," seemed to expect Ashanti's scorching success all along. She told MTV, "From the moment she was born ... I just had the feeling she was gonna be a star."
Began Dancing as a Child
Ashanti Douglas was born on October 13, 1980, and grew up in Glen Cove, a neighborhood on Long Island, New York. Both of her parents worked as computer specialists though their backgrounds were in entertainment--her mother, Tina, danced and her father, Kincaid, sang. From the beginning her parents groomed Ashanti to follow in their footsteps. "I couldn't find a birth announcement that was sufficient for the way I felt about my child, so I made my own up," Ashanti's mother told MTV. "It had all kinds of musical notes on it, and it said that she was gonna be a dancer. We said, 'Dancing to the boogie woogie beats of the lyrics written by her dad.'" She studied dance at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center and began dancing at the age of three. "I did tap, jazz, modern, ballet, African, everything," she told Music & Media. She performed in famed venues like Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater and danced in the Disney TV film Polly directed by actress and choreographer Debbie Allen.
Ashanti seemed destined for a career in dance until it was discovered she could sing. "Singing was kind of accidental," Ashanti told MTV. Her mother had told her to do some chores and turn off the radio. Twelve year old Ashanti obeyed and went to work, singing to herself. "[My mom] comes storming down the steps: 'Didn't I tell you to turn the radio off?' I'm like, 'Yeah, that wasn't the radio. I was just singing.'" Her mother continued, telling MTV, "She sang Mary J. Blige's "Reminisce" and I'll never forget it. I put her in a couple of talent shows and she came in first place. Once I found out she could sing, it was a wrap." Less than two years later Ashanti signed her first record contract with Jive Records. That deal went nowhere, in part because Ashanti wanted to write her own songs, something the record company did not like. A few years later at 17, Ashanti moved to Atlanta to work with Noontime, a subsidiary of mega-label Epic. That partnership fizzled out as well and she was soon back in New York, finishing up high school and starting to plan for her future. Of the failed deals she told Music & Media, "It was all like a character builder, I got a chance to learn a lot of things very early."
Despite her budding career, Ashanti kept pace with her schoolwork. She was an honor student in English and belonged to the English club where she began writing poetry. She was also a standout on the track team and brought home quite a few medals for her school. Her academic and athletic talents drew the attention of both Princeton University and Hampton University, the latter of which offered her a scholarship. She turned it down, deciding to give music another shot.
Found Success With Murder Inc
Ashanti's manager scored a meeting for her with Irv Gotti, the man behind the hardcore rap label Murder, Inc. At first it seemed an unlikely pairing. The label had a street thug edge--its artists were called "murderers" and its website opened with the sound of gunshots--and Ashanti was a sweet-faced honor student who sang R & B. However, as her mom told People Weekly, "She looks innocent, but if there's something she wants, she'll get it." What she wanted was to fuse her R & B style with harder rap and hip-hop sounds. She credits singer Mary J. Blige with that influence. "I didn't want to sing only slow songs and I didn't want to be spittin' rhymes," she is quoted on the Def Jam website. "But Mary put those concepts together. She cleared the way." Gotti was looking to expand Murder Inc.'s roster and thought that with her sultry voice and stunning looks Ashanti might become his first crossover artist to find popular success. He asked her to sing the chorus--called a hook--on "How We Roll" by Murder Inc. artist Big Pun. Gotti was impressed and she soon signed a deal to become the label's first R & B artist.
Ashanti went into the label's Greenwich Village studio and began to work on her debut album, Ashanti. She wrote the lyrics for all twelve songs, penning many of them right in the studio. "When you perform your own records, records you wrote, for me, the emotion I feel is deeper than when I sing someone else's words," she said on www.teenpeople.com. With those songs she also hoped to touch other people. "Everyone has gone through something that's on this album, and I want to be able to articulate their feelings," she is quoted on Def Jam's website.
While finishing up her album, she appeared on rapper Ja Rule's "Always on Time." In the song she plays the smooth-voiced girlfriend to Ja Rule's hard-edged man. The song scorched through the charts landing at number one. At about the same time she appeared alongside another rapper, Fat Joe, on his "What's Luv?" single. Again her sultry cooing played perfectly off the gansta-fueled rap and the song also tore up the charts. Meanwhile, a song she wrote for Jennifer Lopez, "Ain't it Funny," also began climbing towards the top ten. Murder Inc. promptly released "Foolish," the first single off of Ashanti and it also soared. By April of 2002, "Foolish" was holding the number one spot, "What's Luv?" was at number two, and "Ain't it Funny" was three. She became the first new female artist to hold both the one and two spots, and only the second artist since the Beatles to have three songs in the top ten at the same time. Ashanti was living up to Murder Inc.'s motto--and "killing" with her music.
Balanced Fame With Family
Ashanti's voice was everywhere, booming out of car stereos on street corners, filling the dance floor at clubs, appearing on radio shows with her Murder Inc. brethren. The public was entranced by her sexy blend of R & B and gansta rap. With the videos for "Always on Time" and "Foolish" receiving heavy airtime, the public also took notice of her drop-dead beauty. Her face--and often scantily clad body--was splashed across magazine spreads. Ashanti was hot and Gotti and crew decided to take advantage of it, pushing up the release of her album. It was a smart move. Ashanti shot straight to number one and sold an unprecedented 504,000 units during the first week. Ashanti was stunned, "Never in a million years would I have thought it would go down like this," she told Newsweek.
"Foolish" made headway in the urban radio format--home to rap and hip-hop--as well as the more mainstream pop format. Murder Inc. had its crossover star. If her life before the album was as she described to www.alloy.com "like a roller coaster," her life after Ashanti dropped became a non-stop loop on a super-coaster. She told Entertainment Weekly, "It gets ridiculous when I'm doing three states in one day with the travel and the entourage and the change and the security checks and the radio and the autographs and the smiling in the airport--it's bananas!" Though she was quick to add, "But I remember when I was on the couch watching everyone go to college while I'm watching [daytime talk show] Ricki Lake. And it's worth it."
For Ashanti, a self-avowed family girl, there have been sacrifices. "[The success] is bittersweet because I'm so close to my family, and I haven't seen them in a long time," she told www.alloy.com. "But everyone is so proud of me and so happy for my success. It is younger sister Kenashia's voice that pipes in near the end of the album saying, "I'm glad that your dreams are finally coming true." Her family has been with her every step of the way. When the video for "Foolish" aired on BET she recalled to Newsweek, "My whole family came to the house, 'cause we had a big TV in the middle of the living room. My cousin started crying, my aunts, they were screaming." When friends suggested she spend some of her newfound wealth on a sleek $120,000 Mercedes Benz she refused. "It only has two seats," she told People Weekly. "I couldn't bring my family anywhere."
Became "Entertainer of the Year"
Ashanti's meteoric streak through the top of the charts brought with it a slew of music nominations and awards. She led Soul Train's Lady of Soul Awards with the most nominations, five in all including "Best New Artist" which she won. Over at MTV she grabbed four nominations at their Video Music Awards and performed live at the hugely popular event. She also scored "Breakout Artist of the Year" from the 2002 Teen Choice Awards. In November of 2002 she found out she was up for five awards at the 30th annual American Music Awards.
However, the most prestigious award she won in 2002 was also the most controversial. When it was announced that Ashanti would receive the Soul Train Aretha Franklin Award for "Entertainer of the Year" a high school boy in California took offense and started an on-line petition against her. He explained to The Seattle Times that she was too new to deserve the award and "she lacks stage presence in the majority of her performances." Nearly 30,000 people agreed with him, signing the petition. Many pointed out that established artists such as Mary J. Blige and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot or critically acclaimed singers like Alicia Keys and India.Arie were more deserving of an award that carries the name of a musical legend. Despite chart-topping success, most reviewers panned Ashanti's debut effort. Other critics pointed to the fact that Ashanti's phenomenal first week sales were propelled along by Island Def Jam Music Group, the parent company of Murder Inc. The company offered retailers a two-dollar rebate for each album sold in the first two weeks. While it is true that Ashanti was hot, Lyor Cohen, CEO of Island Def Jam, confessed to The New York Times, "We put gasoline in the carburetor."
Ashanti no longer needs extra gas. She has a modeling contract with Candie's Shoes and has begun to rack up acting credits on both the small and big screens including a starring role in Warner Brothers 2003 remake of Sparkle. In November of 2002 Hyperion released a collection of her poems, and she was scheduled to float through New York in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Reflecting on this incredible success she told www.alloy.com, "Oh, man, I would have never thought! It was like an eight and a half year struggle." Those years provided great momentum. Ashanti is primed to take on the road to super stardom.
Awards
Entertainer of the Year, Aretha Franklin Award, Soul Train's Lady of Soul Awards, 2002; Best R & B/Soul or Rap New Artist, Soul Train's Lady of Soul Awards, 2002; Breakout Artist of the Year, Teen Choice Awards, 2002; nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards, 2002; nominated for five American Music Awards, 2003; nominated for five Grammy awards, 2003.
AccomplishmentsDebut 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).[citation needed] The album has been certified 3x platinum in the U.S. The album has sold over 4 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’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.
The album has sold over 2.5 million copies world-wide, becoming another a smash hit 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.
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 childrens film award" in an internet poll. 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."
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
- Best R&B/Soul New Artist
- Aretha Franklin Entertainer Of The Year
- Teen Choice Awards
- Choice Breakout Artist
- MOBO Awards
- Best R&B Act
- Best Hip Hop Act (Ashanti with Ja Rule)
- Billboard Music Awards
- Female 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
2003
- American Music Awards
- Favorite New Artist in Pop/Rock
- Favorite New Artist in Hip-Hop/R&B
- Grammy Awards
- Best Comtemporary R&B Album
- Soul Train Awards
- Best R&B/Soul Single, Female ("Foolish")
- Best R&B/Soul Album, Female ("Ashanti")
- NAACP Image Awards
- Outstanding New Artist
- Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards
- Best New Artist
- Celebrity Service Award
2004
- Do Something Brick Awards
- "Do Something" Brick Award ("Rain on Me")
Links
Other
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.
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DNC Parties Twitter feed archive Rocky Mountain News, CO - Doorgirl: "If you aren't Ashanti, you aren't getting through this door." about 15 hours ago from web Penny Parker One by one celebs including Tim Daly, ... |
Ashanti is On Top of the World New York Post, NY - Ashanti Douglas is a girl who takes her sweet time—but luckily, she’s worth the wait. First, the Grammy winner’s fans had to go without her catchy R&B hooks ... |
Private placement $1.0 million/5 million units announced Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada - V:PMV) - Douglas MacQuarrie, President, announces that the Company has received subscriptions for a non-brokered private placement to exempt investors ... |
PMI Gold Corporation - New concession acquired in Ghana Canada NewsWire (press release), Canada - %SEDAR: 00005434E For further information: Douglas R. MacQuarrie, President & CEO, Telephone: (604) 682-8089, Toll-Free: 1-888-682-8089, Facsimile: (604) ... |
Ghana calls for cross-border meeting on Avian Influenza Accra Daily Mail, Ghana - Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister commended the nation’s development partners whose collaboration with government helped to check ... |
Cancer center event brings in $550000 Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA - Seen at the scene: Douglas Jacques, chairman of the JJCCC Advisory Board and the brother of Jonathan Jacques, for whom the center was named; Barry Arbuckle, ... |
13 arrested in narcotics bust in Lee County The News-Press, FL - Douglas McCarter, 23, arrested near the 3100 block of Dunbar Avenue. Willie Jordan, 18, arrested at 2909 Blount Street/Jones Walker Apts. Norman White, 52, ... |
 Keskisuomalainen | ASHANTI The Declaration The Inc Records Keskisuomalainen, Finland - Muutama vuosi sitten Ashanti Douglas oli kovassa nosteessa niin rapakon takana kuin muuallakin maailmassa. Neito pukkasi hittiä hitin perään ja 2002 ... |
 R&B Junk | Ashanti in copertina, parla di Rihanna e di Matrimonio R&B Junk, Switzerland - Ashanti Douglas sta portando avanti la promozione di “The Declaration” il suo ultimo sfrozo discografico che comprende “The Way That I Love You” e “Good ... |
Salma y otros famosos asistirán al programa “Stand up to cancer” El Informador, Mexico - También estarán cantantes como Natasha Bedingfield, Mary J. Blige, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti Douglas, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, ... |
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