Ashanti (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ashanti
Ashanti in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas
Born	(1980-10-13) October 13, 1980 (age 44) Glen Cove, New York, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop hip hop soul
Occupations	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Written eOne AJM Murder Inc. Def Jam Island Def Jam

Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas (born October 13, 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. As a teenager, she was discovered by record producer Irv Gotti. She signed with his label, Murder Inc. Records, in 2002.

That same year, Ashanti was a guest singer on two huge hits. These were "What's Luv?" by Fat Joe and "Always on Time" by Ja Rule. The songs reached number two and number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Soon after, her own song "Foolish" also became a hit. This made her the first female artist to have songs in the top two spots of the chart at the same time.

"Foolish" was the main single from her first album, Ashanti (2002). The album was a massive success. It landed at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold millions of copies. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album.

Her second album, Chapter II (2003), was also a number-one hit. It included the popular songs "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Rain on Me". Over her career, Ashanti has sold nearly 30 million records around the world.

Besides music, Ashanti is also an actress. She has appeared in movies like Coach Carter (2005), John Tucker Must Die (2006), and Resident Evil: Extinction (2007). She also starred as Dorothy in the TV movie The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005).

Early Life and Discovery

Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas was born on October 13, 1980, in Glen Cove, New York. Her mother, Tina, was a dance teacher, and her father, Ken-Kaide, was a singer. She has a younger sister named Kenashia.

Her mother named her after the Ashanti Empire in Ghana, a place where women held power. She hoped her daughter would be inspired by this. Ashanti's grandfather, James, was a civil rights activist who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s.

When Ashanti was 12, her mother heard her singing Mary J. Blige's song "Reminisce" and realized she had a special talent. In high school, Ashanti started writing her own songs and performing at local festivals. She also had small parts as an extra in movies like Malcolm X (1992).

For a while, Ashanti had trouble getting a record deal. But she kept performing and eventually started spending time at the Murder Inc. recording studio, hoping for her big break.

Music Career

2001–2003: A Star Is Born

Record producer Irv Gotti noticed Ashanti's singing talent. He asked her to write and sing hooks for his rap artists. She was first featured on songs by artists like Big Pun and Cadillac Tah.

Her big break came in 2002 with two hit songs: "What's Luv?" with Fat Joe and "Always on Time" with Ja Rule. Both songs were incredibly popular. They made Ashanti the first female artist to hold the #1 and #2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time.

Following this success, she released her own single, "Foolish". The song was a huge hit, staying at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks. Her first album, Ashanti, came out in April 2002 and went straight to number one. It sold millions of copies and won her many awards, including a Grammy Award.

In July 2003, Ashanti released her second album, Chapter II. It also debuted at number one. The album's first single, "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)", was another top hit. The music video, which showed Ashanti on a beach, was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards.

2004–2007: More Music and Movies

Ashanti performing for U.S. troops in Japan in 2005

In 2004, Ashanti released her third album, Concrete Rose. It debuted at number seven in the U.S. The first single, "Only U", was a big hit, especially in the United Kingdom where it reached number two.

During this time, Ashanti also focused on her acting career. In 2005, she appeared in the movie Coach Carter with Samuel L. Jackson. She also played Dorothy Gale in the TV movie The Muppets' Wizard of Oz. Nearly 8 million people watched the movie when it first aired.

In 2006, she starred in the comedy movie John Tucker Must Die. The next year, she had a role in the action film Resident Evil: Extinction.

2008–2014: New Albums and TV Roles

Ashanti at a fashion show in 2008

Ashanti's fourth album, The Declaration, was released in 2008. One of its most popular songs was "The Way That I Love You". It became her first top-40 hit in four years.

In 2009, Irv Gotti announced that Ashanti was leaving The Inc. Records to start her own label, called Written Entertainment. That same year, she starred as Dorothy in a stage production of The Wiz in New York City.

After a break, Ashanti returned to music in 2011. She released several new singles, including "The Woman You Love" and "Never Should Have". In 2013, she joined the cast of the TV show Army Wives. Her fifth album, Braveheart, was released in 2014. It was her first album on her own record label and became her fifth album to reach the top ten on the charts.

2015–Present: Collaborations and New Music

Ashanti performing in Las Vegas in October 2023.

In recent years, Ashanti has worked with many other artists. In 2015, she teamed up with former First Lady Michelle Obama for the #Let'sMove campaign to encourage people to drink more water.

She was also part of "The Hamilton Mixtape", a project where artists like Sia, John Legend, and Usher performed songs from the hit musical Hamilton.

Between 2017 and 2019, she released new songs like "Say Less" and worked with artists like Lil Wayne and Ja Rule. She also appeared on the TV show Dynasty. In 2024, she was featured on the single "This Lil' Game We Play" with Nelly and Juicy J.

Musical Style

Ashanti has a light and pretty singing voice, known as a soprano. Her voice has been described as "sultry" and "sweet." She is known for singing the catchy parts of songs in duets with rappers.

As a child, she was inspired by legendary singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson. However, she says that Mary J. Blige is the main reason she wanted to become a professional singer.

Charity Work

Ashanti receiving an award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2012.

Ashanti is known for giving back to the community. In 2003, she worked with the Family Violence Prevention Fund to raise awareness about domestic violence. She also raises money for sickle cell research and helps the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In 2005, she helped raise money for victims of the Southeast Asia tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

In 2009, she appeared on the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help rebuild a family's home in Buffalo, New York. She has also worked with programs that promote health and reading for kids, like the Partnership for a Healthier America and the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Personal life

Ashanti and the rapper Nelly first met in 2003 and dated for about ten years. They got back together in 2023 and were married on December 27, 2023.

In April 2024, Ashanti announced that they were engaged and expecting a baby. The couple welcomed their first child on July 18, 2024.

Discography

Studio albums

• Ashanti (2002)
• Chapter II (2003)
• Ashanti's Christmas (2003)
• Concrete Rose (2004)
• The Declaration (2008)
• Braveheart (2014)

Filmography

Film

Television

Theater

See also

In Spanish: Ashanti (cantante) para niños

• List of awards and nominations received by Ashanti