Ashanti brings her best game and more on her fourth studio
album, the aptly titled The Declaration, arriving in June of 2008
as the most complete and compelling offering of her career. A
soaring collection of new tracks, penned by the multi-talented
artist, the intricately produced album captures her alluring
presence and incredible vocal range.
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 voice of the star. You can feel Ashanti reveling
in her new-found independence, 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 well as others close to me 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."
Singer/Songwriter, Actor, Author Ashanti is a native of Glen
Cove, Long Island. She burst onto the music scene with her 2002
smash hit debut album self-titled Ashanti. The album landed at the
#1 spot on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts,
selling a whopping 504,593 units in its first week. Her first week
set a Sound scan record as the most albums sold by any debut female
artist in the chart's history, granting her a spot in the Guinness
book of world records. Simultaneously, Ashanti also secured the top
spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and the R&B/Hip Hop
Singles & Tracks chart with her song, "Foolish." She made
Billboard history by having her first three chart entries land in
the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. She is the
first female to accomplish this feat previously only attained by
the Beatles. That year she was awarded 8 Billboard Awards. Her
album "Ashanti" topped the Billboard Album Chart and also won the
Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album. In addition, that year
she won 2 American Music Awards and the Soul Train Aretha Franklin
Entertainer of the year Award. Her follow-up release, "Chapter II,"
debuted in the no. 1 slot on the Billboard Album Chart and spawned
two Top-10 singles. In addition to her Grammy, she's also won an
NAACP Image Award. Numerous Soul Train Awards, A MOBO (Music of
Black Origin) Award, A Comet Award (Grammy Equivalent in Germany),
Lady of Soul Awards and a Teen Choice and Nickelodeon's Kid Choice
Award, along with many other nominations including an MTV movie
award nomination for "Coach Carter." Ashanti's other albums include
"Ashanti's Christmas", "Concrete Rose", and a remix album titled,
"Collectibles by Ashanti".
Ashanti is hot off the #1 box office hit, "Resident Evil
Extinction" staring opposite Milla Jovovich for Sony Screen Gems.
Previously, she stared in the hugely successful "John Tucker Must
Die" in an ensemble cast composed of Ashanti, Brittany Snow, Sofia
Bush, Ariel Kebble and Jessie Metcalfe. In her feature film debut
"Coach Carter," she co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson. She can be
seen as an Indian Songstress who sings in Hindi and English as she
dances in the film, "Bride & Prejudice." Ashanti made her
telefilm debut helming "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz," opposite Miss
Piggy and Kermit. She got her start in acting on "Buffy the Vampire
Slayer," "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," and portrayed Dionne Warwick
on "American Dreams."
She has written her first book of poetry through Hyperion titled
Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections on Love which is currently in its
sixth edition.
Ashanti is also an entrepreneur who has her own fragrance,
"Precious Jewel" sold at Wal-Mart and other fine stores as well as
a Dietary Supplement "Ashanti's OPC-3 Beauty Blend".
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.
