American female recording artist Ashanti has achieved phenomenal success through her soul/hip-hop music. She is only third behind Beyonce and Alicia Keys in terms of female entertainers for decade 2000-2009. A list based on album sales and tour performances. Ashanti's angelic voice over up-tempo hip-hop music has sold nearly 15 million copies world wide, two US no.1 albums and also holds the records as the first female and only the second artist after the Beatles to achieve three singles in the US top 10.

Ashanti - The Princess of Hip Hop

"`I'm not trying to not do music. There's just a feeling when you create a hot record and have people fall in love with your record. There's nothing like that feeling." - Ashanti

The Ashanti World

American female recording artist Ashanti has achieved phenomenal success through her soul/hip-hop music. She is only third behind Beyonce and Alicia Keys in terms of female entertainers for decade 2000-2009. A list based on album sales and tour performances. Ashanti's angelic voice over up-tempo hip-hop music has sold nearly 15 million copies world wide, two US no.1 albums and also holds the records as the first female and only the second artist after the Beatles to achieve three singles in the US top 10.

Ashanti has also written most of her songs and is considered a gifted writer. An electrifying artist on stage, Ashanti has toured extensively in the US and around the world. But it is her soulful voice and richly produced albums that have given Ashanti worldwide acclaim. Ashanti has branched out into other areas such as Film and TV with several serious roles.

The Early Years

Ashanti was born in Glen Cove, New York; at a very early age she showed her singing prowess and was encouraged by her parents to pursue her interests. In the beginning she started studying various forms of dance and performed at various theaters. As teenager she started to write songs and performed at various events around NYC. She almost signed P.Diddy's Bad Boy Records but eventually signing with Jive Records in 1994.

The Platinum Debut

Her future mentor would be Irv Gotti who was a renowned producer and arranger. Ashanti's rise to recognition came with songwriting abilities as her collaboration with Fat Joe and Ja Rule led to two singles which were the biggest hits of 2002. She released her debut single "Foolish" which was an instant hit and reached the top 10. Her first album the self titled "Ashanti" was released and it was certified triple platinum in the US and 5 million world wide. Her debut album also won her many awards including a Grammy, 8 Billboard Awards and 2 American Music Awards.

The Second Chapter

Ashanti quickly moved into the recording studio to complete her second album. Released in 2003, Chapter II debut at No.1 on the US charts. It featured the emotional ballad "Rain on Me" and the hip-hop dance "Rock with U". Though it was not a commercial smash, the album did manage to sell 1 million copies in the US and another 3 million worldwide.

She opened for R.Kelly for his 2003 mini tour. Ashanti released a hurried Christmas album.

The Rose and Movies

Ashanti's third album titled "Concrete Rose" was released in 2004 and it debut at NO.7 on the US charts, eventually selling a million copies. Her song "Don't Tell Them" had Ashanti pushing her vial abilities and was praised by critics. The track "Only U" was her biggest hit in the UK peaking at NO.2

Ashanti made her feature film acting debut along with Samuel L. Jackson in the critically acclaimed Coach Carter in 2005. Focusing on her acting, she also starred in the movie "John Tucker Must Die". Her last feature film was her role as a nurse in the sci-fi movie "Resident Evil: Extinction".

The New Direction

In 2007, Ashanti started recording her much awaited fourth album. Released in June 2008, the album "The Declaration" failed to be a commercial success and has sold less than 500,000 copies. The disappointment was due to a poorly produced album with no new direction or ideas, the album was bland. Though the reviews were but because of her break into acting, the audience was not quite sure what expect with the fourth album. Her choice in movies was also confusing for her fans.

A small tour followed for the promotion of the album. In 2009, it was announced that Irv Gotti was dropping Ashanti from his record label. Thus ending a relationship that started in 2001, Gotti stated that he has not spoken to Ashanti in a long time and both of them are in totally two different worlds.

As reported on her official website, Ashanti is busy recording her fifth album along with legendary hip hop producer Dr Dre

• Ashanti is the first female solo performer to hold No.1 and No.2 positions on the US Hot 100. She further broke another record of having a third single in the top 10, only Beatles have achieved the same record
• Ashanti made an appearance as herself in the British-Indo cross over movie Bride and Prejudice. But her first celluloid appearance was as a child extra for the movie Malcolm X
• Ashanti and rapper Shyne collaborated on a song titled "Jimmy Choo" a tribute to the Malaysian born fashion mogul who is known for women's shoes

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