R&B chart-topper, Ashanti, brings it to the EQC

For Wire
Published on: November 27, 2008

R&B singer Ashanti Douglas was born in 1980 in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, into a musical family. Her father used to sing and her mother is a dance instructor. Ashanti began singing in a gospel choir at the age of 6. As she grew, her musical talent developed. She danced in a show at Carnegie Hall and in the Disney television musical “Polly.” It was in high school that she honed her songwriting skills and harnessed her talent for creating a story that people could relate to, song after song.

Ashanti first made her break onto the music scene with the Big Pun hit “How We Roll” in 2001. Her sound was infectious and caught the attention of record producers. Irv Gotti, the polished producer with Murder Inc. Records, was credited with her discovery and what was supposed to be an initial collaboration, turned into a record contract. The demure and feminine Ashanti was hesitant at first to sign with a label named Murder Inc., but she filled a void in the company stable of talent. What was a pure rap label became stronger with the arrival of the R&B singer. The marketing team at Murder Inc. went to work to promote Ashanti in time for her debut release.

She was featured on the Ja Rule smash-hit “Always On Time,” receiving major airwave and video exposure. In addition, her voice was loaned out to reigning Don of the Terror Squad, Fat Joe, for his big hit “What’s Luv?” Ashanti stole both songs away from the thug rappers and created such a buzz that her self-titled debut album was released early, in April 2002. The first single “Foolish” ripped apart the charts and the video was on heavy rotation as well.

As a result, Ashanti sold more than half a million units the first week and debuted in the top spot, a major achievement for a relative unknown with almost no expectations on her shoulders.

The singer enjoyed further success with her follow-up album, “The Second Chapter,” debuting at the top of the United States charts in July 2003, and spawning the Top 5 hit single “Rock Wit U (Awww Baby).”

She also made appearances in films such as “Coach Carter,” “John Tucker Must Die” and starred as Dorothy in the “Muppets’ Wizard of Oz.”

Ashanti recently released her fourth studio album “The Declaration” in June 2008. In September, she also performed the charity tune “Just Stand Up” alongside 14 other female singers for the “Stand Up to Cancer” live television special that helped raise $100 million dollars for cancer research.

Ashanti will be performing at the Emerald Queen Casino’s I-5 showroom at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Tickets range from $40-$85. Call (888) 831-7655 for tickets.

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