Entertainment July 22, 2017
'90s babies rejoice because she's back.
Photo via Instagram/@ashantiAshanti Shequoiya Douglas is an R&B singer-songwriter best known for her wildly popular singles and collaborations in the early 2000s.
Well great news for those who don’t already know, she’s back!
Here are some facts about this R&B star’s past, present and everything in between.
Ashanti is indeed producing music again, but albums aren’t the only projects the “Foolish” singer has on her plate these days. She is also starring in TV shows, films and she’s even working with musicals on Broadway. In other words, the girl has been busy.
As of 2017, Ashanti is starring in the Verizon go90 streaming show “Crashed.” She starred as Dorthy in the Broadway adaptation of “The Wiz” in 2009.
And then this R&B goddess was brought back to Broadway in the wildly popular show, “Hamilton.” Alongside Ja Rule, she recorded the song Helpless for the show’s mixtape. They performed the song so beautifully that the creator of the show Lin-Manuel Miranda was brought to tears. Douglas called that moment in her life “historic.”
Her roots as an African American woman have been celebrated from the moment she was born. Her mother, Tina Douglas, named the singer after the Ashanti Empire in Ghana. Within this group, women hold power and influence. She wanted her daughter to emulate this strength.
Her grandfather James was also strongly associated with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.
Ashanti regularly takes to social media to pay homage to African American leaders in history who have paved the way.
Ashanti received seven offers for record deals by major labels, but she decided to go another route. After working on and off with Murder Inc. since 1998, Ashanti created her own label, Written Entertainment in 2009.
The R&B artist told Vibe that she was tired of record labels taking a large portion of her profits. She then decided to take things into her own hands. The artist released the album “Braveheart” in 2014, which was the first under her own label. Upon its release, “Braveheart” placed in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 Charts, and it was the no. 1 Indie album that year.
She produced and promoted her last album and European tour under her independent label. Ashanti is currently working on her sixth album in Los Angeles. Some of the collaborating artists on the record include DJ Mustard, Ty Dolla $ign, J Roc, L.T. Hutton and Hit Boy.
Also, her new single “Love Yourself” with Ja Rule will be coming out in 2017. She promises the album still has that Ashanti sound, but it is just updated to fit current styles in R&B today.
The couple’s relationship ended December of 2012. It was speculated that the “Country Grammar” rapper was unfaithful during their relationship. When Ashanti discussed the split with Us Weekly she said, “I’ve been betrayed.”
Also, in an interview with Hello Beautiful she disclosed that her album “Braveheart” was influenced by her breakup with Nelly. It was not explicitly disclosed whether or not cheating was involved, but the lyrics “Yeah, he’s a walkin’, talkin’, living regret” speaks volumes.
When asked by Essence if she would ever do a collaboration with Nelly in the future, Ashanti answered, “He would have to pay me.”
In other words, Ashanti thinks that feminism and sex appeal are not mutually exclusive. Ebony Magazine asked the singer if she believes that a woman could dress and dance provocatively and still be a feminist.
She responded, “It’s about respecting yourself. If you believe strongly in who you are, you can do it. You can be sexy and be sensual and be pro-woman and be a boss and be a feminist.”
That’s our girl!
Ashanti is moving beyond the “Foolish” days of the early 2000s. She has let go of record deals and is now in complete control of her career. Her sixth album will drop in 2017 and she is making her way in television and on Broadway. On top of it all, Ashanti is a feminist and actively supports the betterment of the African American community.
As she makes new moves in her music career, it is time for ’90s babies to rejoice. We are grateful to have her back.
