American R&B singer Ashanti was born Ashanti Shaquoya Douglas on October 13, 1980, in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, into a musical family, in which her father used to sing and her mother was a former dance instructor. Before becoming a famous singer, she first sang in a gospel choir at age six and took dance lessons. As she grew up into a teen girl, her musical talent also developed, and so did with her physical appearances. During this period of time she danced in a show at Carnegie Hall and in the Disney television musical "Polly." It was in her senior high school that Ashanti sharpened her songwriting skills and explored her talent for creating a story that people could relate to, song after song. Her strong and soulful voice, indeed, got her the attention of industry insiders that brought her to an immediate signing with a management team. She began showcasing her talent with performances at several places, including the Soul Cafe, China Club, Madison Square Garden, Carolines Comedy Club and Greek Fest 2000 at Jones Beach.

It was her peculiar voice and striking look that handed her a recording contract with Jive Records at the age of 14, then again with Epic Records at the age of 17, but neither of them came to fruition. Ashanti later signed to AJM Records and quickly caught the attention of multi-platinum producer Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. who recognized her exceptional singing and writing talents and set the stage for her introduction to the music world. This encounter got Ashanti her first musical performance as a guest vocal on the track "How We Roll" by Big Pun. She then appeared in a series of duets that made her a Stateside star in March 2002, the same period when she was featured on Ja Rule's single "Always On Time". Moreover, she also appeared on other track on Ja's platinum CD, namely "Pain Is Love," and worked with Murder Inc. recording artist Caddillac Tah on his singles "Thug Love" and "Pov City Anthem." After that Ashanti went on releasing a solo track titled "A Man Does Wrong" in addition to being featured on rapper Vita's remake of Madonna's controversial hit "Justify My Love" for the soundtrack of Vin Diesel 2001 movie "The Fast and the Furious."

In early 2002, when, almost simultaneously, Ja Rule released the song "Always On Time" and Fat Joe released "What's Luv?" it was time for Ashanti to grab her big break. Featured on the two biggest pop and urban hits of the year had built Ashanti confidence to release her first album "Ashanti" which debut single "Foolish" appeared on Ja Rule's own Murder Inc. record label. The single apparently became 2002's biggest hit, spending eleven weeks at number one on the pop charts Hot 100, thanks in part to a remix called "Unfoolish," which featured a rap by Biggie, and got heavy urban radio airplay. Once she dominated the single charts, Ashanti released her follow-up singles "Happy" and "Baby" that were milder hits later that same year. During the summer of 2002, she appeared on Ja Rule's song called "Down 4 U," along with labelmates Vita and Charli Baltimore. The next year, in early 2003, she once again teamed up with Ja Rule and scored a massive pop hit with "Mesmerize", which music video parodied the plot of hit movie "Grease."

Notwithstanding with the critics, Ashanti would later make a special guest appearance in a season 7 episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "First Date." In the summer 2003, she released her second album dubbed "Chapter II." This album's first single "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" became one of the summer's biggest hits and its steamy video, which showed the singer in a bikini frolicking on a beach, was nominated for a 2003 MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video. In succession, the set's second single and video, "Rain On Me", was released in the fall of 2003. Ashanti later released a follow up remix to "Rain On Me" and one to her single "Breakup 2 Makeup". In 2004, Ashanti geared up for her 2004 album "Concrete Rose" which featured singles such as "Only U", "Turn It up", "Focus" and "Don't Leave Me Alone." "Concrete Rose" was Ashanti's third platinum album and third album to debut in the billboard's top ten.

Moreover, R&B newcomer Lloyd had released a duet with Ashanti, "Southside", as his first single; and it became a hit on American radios, as well as MTV Jams & BET over the summer of 2004. This had helped Ashanti regained her popularity as a singer that she then also made her feature film acting debut in the movie "Coach Carter" (2005) with Samuel L. Jackson. On December 6, 2005 Ashanti released a remix album, "Collectables by Ashanti." Featuring six remixes of previously released tracks and four newly recorded songs, the set was released merely as a way for her to get out of her contract with Def Jam. Working on her next studio album, the songbird in between times took time doing acting, starred in the 2006 comedy romance "John Tucker Must Die" and the 2007 action horror "Resident Evil: Extinction."

Throughout the movie ordeal, Ashanti had worked on her fourth studio album 'The Declaration'. The Declaration is an impressive rollout of A-list producers, including Jermaine Dupri, LT Hutton, Babyface, Pharrell Williams, Bryan Michael Cox and others. A sizzling snapshot of the heat-seeking Ashanti can be gleamed from the new single; “The Way That I Love You” produced LT Hutton. The song skillfully plays up the ever-present vocal range of the star. You can feel Ashanti reveling in her new-found confidence, which she effortlessly displays with a powerful sense of purpose throughout every song on the new album. “One of the reasons I call the album ‘The Declaration,’ is because I feel it’s important to present all sides of what being a woman is about,” she says. “Historically, we’ve always been relegated to the bottom of the totem pole, whether it’s business or the battle of the sexes or just empowering each other. I want this album to make people feel stronger about themselves. I’ve always used the ups and downs in my own life as a motivational tool and I hope my music comes off that way. I felt a lot of passion making this record. I loved every minute I was in the studio.”

Her endorsements include: Herbal Essences, where she is the first African American to land a national campaign, Candies Apparel, as well as MUDD Jeans, "DELICIOUS CURVES". Ashanti has performed before Presidents and Royalty. She has performed duets with the likes of Pattie Labelle, Smokie Robinson, Ronald Isley, Stevie Wonder and Kenny Chesney to name a few. She has appeared on shows ranging from Oprah, Ellen, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Regis & Kelly, Saturday Night Live, The View, Conan O’Brien, BET 106 & Park, MTV TRL, VH1 and Fuse TV among others. She has performed on virtually every music awards show from the American Music Awards to the Grammy’s, the MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Europe Awards, the Soul Train Awards and the Kids’ Choice Awards. She is an American Favorite, singing the National Anthem and God Bless America for major events including the World Series.

After parting ways from her former label (Murder Inc.), Ashanti is ready to take on a new role as CEO of her own record label "Written Entertainment". She has recorded many different tracks over the past years, with artist such as Common, Dr. Dre, Rico Love, Lil Wayne, Jim Jones, and Busta Rhymes who is featured on her first single ("The Woman You Love") for her upcoming fifth album. Fresh off broadway, Ashanti is ready to return to the music scene in 2012.

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