Ashanti is the self-titled debut studio album by American R&B singer Ashanti, released by Murder Inc. and Island Def Jam on April 2, 2002 in North America and April 8, 2002 in United Kingdom. The album saw the singer active in songwriting and producing, with chiefly producers and rappers Irv Gotti and Chink Santana. Ashanti debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with first-week sales of an impressive 503,000 units. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 17, 2002. It earned Ashanti five Grammy nominations for Best New Artist, Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration(twice), and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. [edit] Background [edit] Chart performance Ashanti debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart on April 20, 2002 and Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart at number one with first-week sales of 503,000 units sold. The album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA on December 17, 2002 and remained on Billboard 200 album chart for 55 consecutive weeks. Ashanti has sold 3.6 million copies in the United States alone, according Nielsen Soundscan. The album was the 7th best-selling album of 2002, as well as the 160th best-selling album of 2003 in the United States. [edit] Singles Ashanti spawned three singles: The album's lead single, "Foolish", became Ashanti's biggest solo successes to date, spending ten consecutive weeks on top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. It was eventually ranked first on the Billboard 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles 2002 year-end charts for ten straight weeks (Tying with Nelly's "Dilemma, but not for ten straights wekks). It was a breakthrough hit internationally entering the top five in the United Kingdom, the top ten in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany and Japan and the top twenty in Switzerland and the Netherland. Follow-up single "Happy" peaked at number eight on Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. The single became Ashanti's second top ten hit solo. It was a moderate success internationally, it reached the top ten in the Netherland, the top twenty in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and the top forty in Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, and France. The third and final single Baby, peaked at number fifteen on Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart. The single became Ashanti's third top forty hit solo. [edit] Tracklisting All song co-written by Ashanti Douglas | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | | 1. | "Intro" | J. Atkins, 7 Aurelius, T. Crocker, I. Lorenzo, J. Cartagena, A. Parker, C. Rios, T. Green, R. Gill | 7 Aurelius | 1:25 | | 2. | "Foolish" | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo, E. Jordan, M. DeBarge | 7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti | 3:47 | | 3. | "Happy" | R. Calhouh, A. Parker, I. Lorenzo | Chink Santana, Irv Gotti | 4:22 | | 4. | "Leaving (Always on Time Part. II)" (feat. Ja Rule) | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo, J. Atkins | 7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti | 3:55 | | 5. | "Narrative Call (Skit)" | Ashanti, Irv Gotti | I. Lorenzo | 0:36 | | 6. | "Call" | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo | 7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti | 5:05 | | 7. | "Scared" (feat. Irv Gotti) | A. Parker, I. Lorenzo | Chink Santana, Irv Gotti | 4:43 | | 8. | "Rescue" | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo | 7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti | 7:25 | | 9. | "Baby" | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo, M. Dean, B. Jordan | 7 Aurelius | 4:25 | | 10. | "Voodoo" | 7 Aurelius, I.Lorenzo | 7 Aurelius, Irv Gotti | 4:37 | | 11. | "Movies" | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo, R. Wright, J. Thomas | 7 Aurelius, Reggie Wright* | 4:09 | | 12. | "Fight (Over Skit)"" | I. Lorenzo | Ashanti, Irv Gotti | 1:18 | | 13. | "Over" | A. Parker, I. Lorenzo | Chink Santana, Irv Gotti | 5:34 | | 14. | "Unfoolish" (feat. Notorious B.I.G) | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo, E. Jordan, M. DeBarge, S. Combs, D. Jones, R. Kelly, C. Wallace | Irv Gotti | 3:14 | | 15. | "Shi Shi (Skit)" | | | 0:14 | | 16. | "Dreams" | 7 Aurelius, I. Lorenzo, M. DeBarge | 7 Aurelius | | | 17. | "Thank You" | A. Douglas | A. Douglas | 1:18 | *Co-producer [edit] Samples [edit] Release history [edit] Charts and certification [edit] Year-end charts [edit] Awards & nominations | Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | | 2002 | BET Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | | Lady of Soul | Best R&B/Soul New Artist | Won | | Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year | Won | | Best R&B/Soul Single - Foolish | Nominated | | R&B/Soul Album of the Year - Ashanti | Nominated | | R&B/Soul Song of the Year - Foolish | Nominated | | R&B/Soul Song of the Year - Foolish | Nominated | | Best R&B/Soul Music Video - Foolish | Nominated | | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Breakout Artist | Won | | Best New Artist | Won | | Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Single - Foolish | Nominated | | MOBO | Best R&B Act | Won | | Best Newcomer | Nominated | | Best Album - Ashanti | Nominated | | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Female Video - Foolish | Nominated | | Best R&B Video - Foolish | Nominated | | Best New Artist In A Video - Foolish | Nominated | | Billboard Music Awards | Female Artist of the Year | Won | | Top New Pop Artist of the Year | Won | | Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year | Won | | R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Won | | R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist of the Year | Won | | New R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year | Won | | R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year - Foolish | Won | | R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year | Won | | 2003 | ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Award-Winning Pop Songs - Foolish | Won | | ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | Top R&B/Hip-hop Song - Foolish | Won | | Award-Winning R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Baby | Won | | American Music Awards | Favorite New Artist in Pop/Rock | Won | | Favorite New Artist in Hip-Hop/R&B | Won | | Best Duo or Group - Ashanti | Won | | Fans Choice Award | Nominated | | Favorite Female Artist in Hip-Hop/R&B | Nominated | | Favorite Album - Pop or Rock 'n Roll Music - Ashanti | Nominated | | Favorite Album - Hip-Hop / Rhythm & Blues Music - Ashanti | Nominated | | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | | Best Contemporary R&B Album R&B - Ashanti | Won | | Best Female R&B Vocal Performance R&B - Foolish | Nominated | | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding New Artist | Won | | Outstanding Female Artist | Nominated | | Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards | Best New Artist | Won | [edit] Credits - Asif Ali Engineer
- Robert Bacon Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar, Guitar (Bass)
- Kenneth Crouch Piano
- Chris DeLaPena Assistant
- Tony Duran Photography
- Brian "Big Bass" Gardener Mastering
- Chris G.O.T.T.I. A&R
- Irv Gotti Producer, Mixing
- Deidre Graham Marketing
- Charles "Chee" Heath Assistant
- Ja Rule Performer
- Darcell Lawrence A&R
- Trevor Lawrence Drums
- Rosie Michel Stylist
- Milwaukee Buck Engineer
- Erica Novich A&R
- Chink Santana Drums, Multi Instruments, Producer
- 7 Aurelius Engineer
- Brian Springer Engineer, Mixing
- David Tan Marketing
- Jared Thomas Producer
- Tony Vanias Recording Coordinator
- Glen Williams A&R
- Reggie Wright Producer
[edit] References | Ashanti | | | Studio albums | | | | Other albums | | | | Singles | | | | Other singles | | | | DVDs | | | | Related articles | | | | Films | | | |
