Ashanti – from hardships to the stars!
Ashanti, a Grammy Award-winning American singer, who was born on October 13, 1980, is a multi-talented star. She is a songwriter, a model, an actress and a fashion designer simultaneously. She has gained popularity and recognition only in 2000 at the age of 20, after the release of her first album, “Ashanti”. But before her talent was recognized and appreciated, Ashanti had to overcome many hardships and disappointments, which demanded from her lots of patience, persistence and faith.
Ashanti was born in the family of a former dance teacher and singer. Therefore, from early childhood, the girl learnt different dance styles, sang in the church choir and wrote songs. She participated in different talent shows such as Soul Cafe, Madison Square Garden. When Ashanti reached teenage years, she sent her demo songs to various recording companies. In 1994, Jive Records offered Ashanti a contract. Thinking that her dreams were coming true, Ashanti happily agreed to work with them. That was the time of her first disappointments, because the company was trying to make her look and sound just like every other young pop singer.
Ashanti left the company and even tried herself in sports (she joined track team in her school) and did very well. But the desire to sing made her try again, and after she received an invitation to work with Epic Records in 1998, she became completely absorbed by music. Another disappointment came along. Company’s management has changed and new producers did not agree to continue working with Ashanti. It was the time of broken spirits and hopes.
When Ashanti started to hang out in Murder Inc. recording company, according to her Mother’s words, “it was her last try”. Ashanti said that either this time she was going to seriously start working on her music career or never think about it again. Thankfully, at Murder Inc. Irv Gotti noticed her. And in April 2002 Ashanti released her first album, which became a sensation selling over 503 000 copies in the first week. It became number-one on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart and three times platinum in the United States. In 2003, the album won a Grammy award as Best Contemporary R&B album. Right now Ashanti is working on her new album “Incredible”, which is scheduled to be released in spring of 2007.