Ashanti

In 2002, Ashanti and her knack for writing hit records helped the singer/songwriter alter Soundscan history when her self-titled debut album sold more copies in its first week of release than any first-time female solo artist in the chart's history outselling debuts by Beyoncé, Tweet, Alicia Keys and Lauren Hill. Simultaneously, Ashanti also secured the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart in Spring 2002 with the hit single Foolish.

Also in 2002, the then 21-year-old rocked the Billboard charts by having her first three chart entries all land in the top 10 of The Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. (Ashanti is the first female to accomplish this feat and only second to the Beatles to do so.) Her string of top ten singles include, Rock Wit U (Aww Baby), Foolish, Happy, Mesmerized featuring Ja Rule, What's Love with rapper Fat Joe and Always on Time with Ja Rule. Also, Ashanti is co-writer of the Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule hit single Ain't it Funny (remix), which also reached the Top 10.

Ashanti, now 25, won a Grammy in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B album, seven Billboard Awards, two American Music Awards, The Lady of Soul Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year Award and a 2002 BET Award for Best New Artist. Ashanti published her first book of poetry and essays Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections On Love through Hyperion. Ashanti will have a second book published by Hyperion in Spring '05. Also in Spring ‘05, Ashanti stars as Dorothy in The Muppets Wonderful World of Oz on ABC. Ashanti's third album Concrete Rose hits stores on Dec. 14th.

Note: This profile was written in or before 2005.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Ashanti Facts

Birth Name	Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas
Occupation	Musician, Actress
Birthday	October 13, 1980 (43)
Sign	Libra
Birthplace	Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, USA
Height	5' 3" (1m60) How tall is Ashanti compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Not available.