| The name Ashanti may be
new to you but after her November 3rd performance of Ja Rule’s hit single
“Always On Time” on Saturday Night Live she won’t be a newcomer for long.
In fact, Ashanti is not new to the world of entertainment; at the age of
twenty, she has racked up credits as singer, actress, dancer, choreographer
and all-around entertainer.
Born in Glen Cove, NY, Ashanti
S. Douglas first sang in a gospel choir at age six. Her R&B singing
career began in 1994 when she performed at a local talent show. Her strong
soulful voice caught the attention of industry insiders and she immediately
signed on with a management team and began showcasing her talent with performances
at the Soul Cafe, China Club, Madison Square Garden, Caroline’s Comedy
Club and Greek Fest 2000 at Jones Beach to name a few.
Signed to AJM Records, Ashanti
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. Ashanti is featured
on Ja Rule’s current single “Always On Time” and appeared with him on MTV’s
Making the Video. She also appears on two other tracks on Ja’s current
platinum CD Pain Is Love as well as Big Pun’s smash hit single “How We
Roll” from his Endangered Species CD. Ashanti has also worked with Murder
Inc. recording artist Cadillac Tah on his singles “Thug Love” and “POV
City Anthem”. Ashanti also released a solo track titled “When A Man Does
Wrong” in addition to being featured on rapper Vita’s remake of Madonna’s
“Justify My Love” on the soundtrack of the Vin Diesel movie The Fast and
the Furious. This multi-talented singer songwriter is currently writing
and recording her first studio album and writing singles for Jennifer Lopez
and Christina Milian.
Ashanti’s talents extend
beyond the recording studio. She began her dance training at the Bernice
Johnson Cultural Arts Center and performed with the Senior Pro Ensemble
at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Apollo Theater, Brooklyn Academy
of Music and the Black Spectrum Theater. Her dance credits include the
Disney TV musical “Polly” directed by Debbie Allen and starring Phylicia
Rashad, the 1994 Caribbean Awards and dancing with Judith Jamison of the
Alvin Ailey Dance Company.
With the same creative and
seductive energy that Ashanti has captured the attention of the music industry,
she will captivate the public, with the power of her voice, lyrics, melodies
and natural beauty. Look out for her first single release coming soon. |
