Ashanti
Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas (born 1980) is a Grammy-winning American singer, songwriter, and actress who shot to fame in the early 2000s with her self-titled debut album and hit singles like "Foolish," making her the first female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with her debut single and two features simultaneously. Discovered by Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. Records, she became the "Princess of Hip Hop & R&B," blending soulful vocals with hip-hop, and later expanded into acting in films like Coach Carter and Resident Evil: Extinction.
Born October 13, 1980, in Glen Cove, New York, named after the Ashanti Empire in Ghana, her mother was a dancer and father a singer; she started singing in church and local talent shows.
In 2001 Irv Gotti signed her to Murder Inc. Records, where she wrote hooks for artists and featured on hits like "What's Luv?" (Fat Joe) and "Always on Time" (Ja Rule) before her solo debut.
Her debut album Ashanti (2002) went #1, won a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and featured hits "Foolish," "Happy," and "Baby". In 2002, "Foolish," "What's Luv?", and "Always on Time" had her holding the top two spots on the Billboard Hot 100. She followed up with successful albums like Chapter II (2003) and Concrete Rose (2004).
Acting & Other Ventures: Film Debut: Coach Carter (2005). Other Roles: The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, John Tucker Must Die, Resident Evil: Extinction. Author: Released the children's book "My Name Is a Story".
Known for her distinctive voice and contributions to 2000s R&B, she has sold millions of records and earned numerous awards, including a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Ashanti
Featuring [Containing Elements] – Ashanti, Black Child, Cadillac Tah
Mixed By – Brian Springer
Performer [Containing Elements] – Big Pun, Cadillac Tah, Ja Rule, Ja Rule
Producer – 7, Chinky, Irv Gotti
Written-By – 7 Aurelius, A. Parker, A. Douglas, C. Rios, I. Lorenzo, J. Atkins, J. Cartagena, R. Gill, T. Crocker, T. Green
Written-By [Containing Elements] – P. Walcot 1:25
2 Foolish
Instruments [All] – 7
Mixed By – Supa Engineer Duro, Irv Gotti
Performer [Containing Sample] – El DeBarge
Producer – 7, Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, E. Jordan, I. Lorenzo, M. DeBarge 3:47
3 Happy
Bass – Darwin Johnson
Instruments [All] – Chink Santana
Mixed By – Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Producer – Chink Santana, Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Charles "Chee" Heath
Written-By – A. Parker, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo, R. Calhoun 4:22
4 Leaving (Always On Time Part II)
Featuring – Ja Rule
Guitar – Rob Bacon
Instruments [All] – 7.
Mixed By – 7., Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Producer – 7, Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Asif Ali
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Jeremy Makenzie
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo, J. Atkins 3:55
5 Narrative Call (Skit) 0:36
6 Call
Instruments [All] – 7
Mixed By – 7, Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Producer – 7, Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo, J. Atkins 5:05
7 Scared
Featuring – Irv Gotti
Instruments [All] – Chink Santana
Mixed By – Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Producer – Chink Santana, Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Charles "Chee" Heath
Written-By – A. Parker, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo 4:43
8 Rescue
Guitar – Rob Bacon
Instruments [All] – 7.
Mixed By – 7, Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Producer – 7., Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo 7:25
9 Baby
Co-producer – 7.
Instruments [All] – Chink Santana
Mixed By – Supa Engineer Duro, Irv Gotti
Producer – Chink Santana, Irv Gotti
Programmed By [Additional] – 7.
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Charles "Chee" Heath
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Parker, A. Douglas, B. Jordan, I. Lorenzo, M. Dean 4:25
10 Voo Doo
Instruments [All] – 7.
Mixed By – 7., Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Producer – 7., Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo 4:42
11 Movies
Co-producer – Jared Thomas, Reggie Wright
Instruments [All] – 7.
Mixed By – 7., Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Producer – 7., Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo, J. Thomas, R. Wright 4:09
12 Fight (Over Skit) 1:18
13 Over
Drums [Live] – Chink Santana
Instruments [All] – Chink Santana
Mixed By – Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Producer – Chink Santana, Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Charles "Chee" Heath
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, I. Lorenzo 5:34
14 Unfoolish
Instruments [All] – 7.
Mixed By – 7., Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Percussion – Butch Smalls
Performer [Containing Sample] – El DeBarge, The Notorious B.I.G.
Producer – 7., Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Milwaukee Buck
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Terry "Murda Mac" Herbert
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, C. Wallace, D. Jones, E. Jordan, I. Lorenzo, M. DeBarge, R. Kelly, S. Combs 3:14
15 Shi Shi (Skit) 0:15
16 Dreams
Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Rob Bacon
Drums – Trevor Lawrence Jr.
Electric Guitar [Star] – 7.
Grand Piano – 7., Kenneth Crouch
Instruments [All] – 7.
Mixed By – 7, Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Producer – 7., Irv Gotti
Recorded By – Brian Springer
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Vocals [Additional] – Courtnie Cox, Janae Huff, Jasmine L. Morris, Kevin T. Green, Steven Cox
Written-By – 7Aurelius, A. Douglas, E. DeBarge, I. Lorenzo 4:18
17 Thank You
Mixed By – Brian Springer, Irv Gotti
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Chris Dela Pena
Producer – Ashanti
Recorded By – Asif Ali
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Jeremy Makenzie
Written-By – A. Douglas 1:47
Label: Murder Inc Records – 586 830-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2002
Genre: Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Pop
Style: Contemporary R&B
The 2002 self-titled debut album by Ashanti was a massive commercial success, though critical reviews were mixed, often praising its catchy, hip-hop-infused R&B production while noting the singer's vocal limitations and lack of a unique artistic identity.
Critics like those at Slant Magazine and Pitchfork found the songs "infectious and fine-tuned" but often derivative of other R&B divas like Mary J. Blige. Some reviewers felt Ashanti's "sweet but slight soprano" lacked the "grit and power" to carry an entire album, coming off as a passive imitation of the hip-hop soul style.
The album was generally praised for its "bass-heavy, slow-burning R&B grooves" and "bristling live instrumentation" courtesy of producer Chink Santana and others from the Murder Inc. label. However, some critics found the overall sound repetitive, a "pleasing blur" across its 17 tracks.
Ashanti wrote all of the album's tracks, which focus heavily on themes of love, heartbreak, and difficult relationships. While some found the narratives relatable, others criticized the "juvenile songwriting" and thin lyrics.
The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with over 500,000 copies sold in its first week, a record at the time for a debut female artist. It was certified triple-platinum in the US.
It spawned major hit singles, including the chart-topping "Foolish," which heavily sampled DeBarge's "Stay With Me" and The Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance" (Remix), along with other top hits "Happy" and "Baby".
The album earned Ashanti a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, among other nominations.
Despite critical reservations at the time, the album is now often viewed through the lens of early 2000s nostalgia and is recognized as a significant work that solidified the blend of hip-hop and R&B that dominated the era. Artists like SZA have cited Ashanti's minimalist style as an influence.