Ashanti (singer)

**Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas** (born October 13, 1980), better known as **Ashanti**, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, model and actress. She became famous in the early 2000s. Ashanti released her debut album _Ashanti_ in 2002. It released three singles: "Foolish", "Happy", and "Baby". "Foolish" reached number one on the US _Billboard_ Hot 100 chart. "Happy" and "Baby" reached the top twenty. Ashanti's first album sold 503,000 copies the first week. She then became the first "new female artist" to sell that many records in one week. She outsold artists including Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill. She also became the first female artist to have two singles "Foolish" at number one and "What's Luv?" (with Fat Joe) at number two. Ashanti also became the first artist to have three top ten songs ("Foolish", "What's Luv?" and "Always on Time") on the Hot 100 the same week. She was the first woman and second artist, behind The Beatles, to do this.

Her first album also won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Later that year, her duet with Ja Rule on "Mesmerize" reached number two on the Hot 100. Her next album, _Chapter II_ (2003) debuted at number one on the _Billboard_ 200 chart. It sold 326,000 copies the first week. The album was given three Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. _Chapter II_ was certified platinum by the RIAA. This means that 1 million copies of the album were shipped in the United States. The two singles "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Rain on Me" reached the top ten in the US. Her holiday album _Ashanti's Christmas_ (2003) reached number 160 on the _Billboard_ 200.

Ashanti's third album, _Concrete Rose_ (2004), debuted at number seven on the _Billboard_ 200 chart. It sold 254,000 copies the first week. The album was certified platinum in a month of its release. The singles "Only U" was a top ten hit in the US, while "Don't Let Them" did not do so well. The single became the worst charting song in Ashanti's career. Her first greatest hits album _Collectables by Ashanti_ (2005) reached number 59 on the _Billboard_ 200 chart. It was a top ten hit on the Hot R&B Albums chart. The only single to be released from that album was "Still on It". It reached number 15 on the Hot Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. Ashanti's second greatest hits album, _Can't Stop_, was released in 2006. It only charted in Japan at number 259. Ashanti took a short break from recording music.

Her fourth album, _The Declaration_, was released in 2008. It reached number six on the _Billboard_ 200 chart. It sold 86,000 copies the first week. The singles "The Way That I Love You" reached the top 40 on the Hot 100. The single "Good Good" reached number 30 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 2009, _The Vault_ was released. The album contained 12 songs recorded by Ashanti that were not released. It reached number 110 on the Japan Albums chart. Ashanti's fifth album _Braveheart_ was set to be released on August 28, 2012. The lead single, "The Woman You Love" reached number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in December 2011. Ashanti has starred in several movies. These include _The Muppets' Wizard of Oz_ (2005) and _John Tucker Must Die_ (2006). As of 2008, she has sold more than 27 million records worldwide.

## Discography

- _Ashanti_ (2002)
- _Chapter II_ (2003)
- _Concrete Rose_ (2004)
- _The Declaration_ (2008)
- _BraveHeart_ (2014)

## Movies

<big>**Films**</big>
- _The Muppets' Wizard of Oz_ (2005)
- _Coach Carter_ (2005)
- _John Tucker Must Die_ (2006)
- _Resident Evil Extinction_ (2007)
- _Coach Carter 2_

<big>**Television**</big>
- _Sabrina, the Teenage Witch_ (2002)
- _Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series)_ (2003)
- _WrestleMania XIX_ (Opening: _America the Beautiful_) (2003)
- _The Proud Family_ (voice) (2003)
- _Pepsi Smash_ (Commercial) (2003)
- _Punk'd_ (2004)
- _Oxygen: Custom Concert_ (2004)
- _Las Vegas (TV series)_ (2005)
- _2007 World Series_ (Opening: 'God Bless America') (2007)
- _NFL Thanksgiving Classic CBS_ (Opening: 'National Anthem') (2007)
- _BET Awards Nomination Special "I Wanna Thank My Mama"_ (host) (2008)
- _Extreme Makeover: Home Edition_ (2010)

<big>**Theater**</big>
- _The Wiz_ (2009)

## Infobox (musical artist)

- **name**: Ashanti
- **image**: Ashanti 2012.jpg
- **image size**: 250px
- **background**: solo_singer
- **birth name**: Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas
- **alias**: Shany Bonnie
- **birth place**: Glen Cove, New York United States
- **origin**: Roslyn, New York
- **years active**: 1994–present
- **website**: *