Ashanti

Photo of Ashanti

Biography

Possessing a sweet, soulful voice and innocent good looks, singer-turned-actress Ashanti (born Ashanti Douglas) exploded onto the music scene in 2002 and quickly became one of the top selling R&B artists in the industry. Originally from Glen Cove, Long Island, NY, Ashanti was raised in a musical family-her dad used to sing and her mom was a dance instructor. At six years-old, she began singing gospel in her church choir, and in 1994, while …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Music

Born

Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas on October 13, 1980 in Glen Cove, New York, USA

Career Milestones

Began singing in a gospel choir at the age of six

Signed with Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. Records; was the first R&B singer to join Murder Inc.

1989

Danced at Carnegie Hall and in the NBC Disney musical "Polly," directed by Debbie Allen and starring Phylicia Rashad

1992

Appeared in the biopic "Malcolm X," directed by Spike Lee

2001

Appeared on the soundtrack for "The Fast and The Furious" with "When a Man Does Wrong" and "Justify My Love" (with Vita) a remake of Madonna's "Justify My Love"

2001

First announced her presence with the Big Pun hit "How We Roll"

2002

Featured on Fat Joe's single "What's Luv" from Jealous Ones Still Envy; earned Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

2002

Featured on Ja Rule's single "Always on Time" and appeared with him on MTV's "Making the Video"; earned Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

2002

Portrayed Dionne Warwick on the NBC series "American Dream"

2002

Released self-titled debut album, Ashanti; wrote all 12 tracks; earned Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance for the single "Foolish"

2003

Appeared on the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" on UPN

2003

Released second album, Chapter II; nominated for 2 Grammy Awards including Best Contemporary R&B Album

2004

Release third album, Concrete Rose

2005

Cast alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the sports drama, "Coach Carter" as the pregnant girlfriend of a college-bound basketball player

2006

Co-starred with Jesse Metcalfe in "John Tucker Must Die" as one of three girls seeking revenge on the high school hunk

2007

Co-starred in "Resident Evil: Extinction," the third installment in the series, starring Milla Jovovich

2009

Made her stage debut as Dorothy in a limited Manhattan stage engagement of "The Wiz"

Awards

2002

Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album

2005

MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Female in Coach Carter