Ashanti in the Music Spotlight

The name on everyone's lips these days is ASHANTI. Why? Because she is the hottest thang in the music industry at the moment!

At just twenty-one years of age, Ashanti Douglas is by no means a newcomer to the entertainment industry. An all-round entertainer, she is experienced in dance, acting, singing and choreography and started out her career as a gospel singer at the age of six, where she was a member of the local gospel choir. This was a sign of good things to come.

In 1994, Ashanti's strong soulful voice caught the attention of industry insiders and she immediately signed on with a management team and began showcasing her talent with various performances.

Securing a record deal, Ashanti began working with 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.

Lending her vocals on Ja Rule's popular single "Always On Time" and Fat Joe's "What's Luv" gave Ashanti the break she desired and really set the wheels in motion for this gifted young performer.

These collaborations led to Ashanti working on two more of Ja Rule's songs as well as working with other music talent including Big Pun and Cadillac Tah. She then turned her attention to working on her own material where she wrote and recorded her first studio album, the self-titled "Ashanti" as well as writing material for other big name acts like Jennifer Lopez and Christina Milian.

Although a gem in the studio, Ashanti's talents extend beyond the recording arena. She began her dance training at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Centre and performed with the Senior Pro Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Apollo Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Black Spectrum Theatre. 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 no doubt captivate the public, with the power of her voice, lyrics, melodies and natural beauty.

Her debut album in which Ashanti penned twelve songs is instantly likeable and well produced. Stand out tracks include "Foolish", "Leaving" (featuring Ja Rule) and "Voo Doo". This album is a tantalizing blend of edgy hip-hop grooves and subtle R&B styling from a talented young woman who is in a class all of her own.

- Annemarie Failla