She parted ways with Murder Inc
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In 2002, Ashanti released her self-titled debut album on Murder
Inc Records and it was instantly successful. The label, which VH1 dubbed
a "music powerhouse" during the time, was also home to Ja Rule and a
ton of massive hits. Their first R&B signee was destined for fame
with them behind her and the success happened pretty quickly.
Ashanti debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Her first single, "Foolish," from that album was also a big hit — a number one hit, in fact. It spent 10 weeks at the top of both charts. By this time, Ashanti was a superstar. She released three more albums on Murder Inc, two more of which went platinum.
Things went downhill fast, though, when Murder Inc Records was indicted for its involvement with money laundering. Ashanti and the label went their separate ways in 2009.
After leaving Murder Inc, the "Rock Wit You" singer was quiet for six years. Fans were hungry for new music, but she wouldn't release a new album until 2014.
Ashanti debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Her first single, "Foolish," from that album was also a big hit — a number one hit, in fact. It spent 10 weeks at the top of both charts. By this time, Ashanti was a superstar. She released three more albums on Murder Inc, two more of which went platinum.
Things went downhill fast, though, when Murder Inc Records was indicted for its involvement with money laundering. Ashanti and the label went their separate ways in 2009.
After leaving Murder Inc, the "Rock Wit You" singer was quiet for six years. Fans were hungry for new music, but she wouldn't release a new album until 2014.
She built a business
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After Ashanti left Murder Inc, she created her own record label.
She launched Written Entertainment in 2011 as a way to become a
businesswoman and recreate her own music career.
"I'm so excited to have my own record label, Written Entertainment," she said in a statement to All Hip Hop. "With eOne as my distributor, I feel that their innovative and ambitious approach to the music industry, really gives my label a worldwide presence. They have the top radio people in the business and are hungry to win! The more I learned the business the more I knew this is what I wanted. Ownership is so important. As a businesswoman this was a great move for me!"
In 2014, she dropped Braveheart on her own label. The album was successful, but she didn't see the success she had on Murder Inc with Irv and Chris Gotti backing her.
"I'm so excited to have my own record label, Written Entertainment," she said in a statement to All Hip Hop. "With eOne as my distributor, I feel that their innovative and ambitious approach to the music industry, really gives my label a worldwide presence. They have the top radio people in the business and are hungry to win! The more I learned the business the more I knew this is what I wanted. Ownership is so important. As a businesswoman this was a great move for me!"
In 2014, she dropped Braveheart on her own label. The album was successful, but she didn't see the success she had on Murder Inc with Irv and Chris Gotti backing her.
She's been perfecting her fashion game
Instagram
Ashanti's always been a showstopper but, as of late, she's really
found her own style. Over two million fans follow her on Instagram to
see her music, acting career and her fabulous fashion. She's not afraid
to play with different styles and flaunt her rockin' bod. She's donned
sexy swimsuits, fur-lined stiletto boots, trendy (and sexy) jumpers,
"girly tomboy" outfits and fancy flares. No matter what she's wearing,
Ashanti's fashion is always fierce.
She's been in court
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Ashanti has been fighting off an alleged stalker for several
years now. The accused, Devar Hurd, was first convicted in 2009 of
stalking and harassing the "Foolish" singer. In 2013, he was again
arrested for violating strict orders to not contact the singer. Since
then, Ashanti has been in and out of court, attempting to get the
longtime stalker to leave her alone.
According to New York Daily News, Ashanti, her mother and her sister have had to testify against Hurd three times in the most recent case alone. Hopefully this will be the end of this story, since Hurd was sentenced to the maximum of four years in prison in 2016. Vibe states that after his release, he won't be allowed to contact Ashanti or her family for five years.
According to New York Daily News, Ashanti, her mother and her sister have had to testify against Hurd three times in the most recent case alone. Hopefully this will be the end of this story, since Hurd was sentenced to the maximum of four years in prison in 2016. Vibe states that after his release, he won't be allowed to contact Ashanti or her family for five years.
She was getting fit
Instagram
Ashanti has truly aged like a fine wine. It seems like she's
found the fountain of youth and even her body is getting better every
year. To celebrate her 36th birthday, the singer rocked teeny bikinis in
the Dominican Republic. There was just enough strategically placed
material to let her flat tummy and amazing legs shine. She shared the
trip with her followers on Snapchat, posting everything from mirror
booty pics and pool splits to selfies with friends and swimsuit shots.
According to the Daily Mail, Ashanti took a helicopter to the vacation hot spot and wasted no time before getting into a bikini. Not only did it look like she had the time of her life, she also may be her sexiest self yet! Can you say #goals?
According to the Daily Mail, Ashanti took a helicopter to the vacation hot spot and wasted no time before getting into a bikini. Not only did it look like she had the time of her life, she also may be her sexiest self yet! Can you say #goals?
Her tour is over
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Ashanti and Ja Rule once again joined forces for an epic 2016.
The pair embarked on a co-headlining tour in the summer of 201, after
selling out their own spring dates. Together they hit 11 cities
including New York City, Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa and Philadelphia.
Ja Rule was ecstatic when the news broke, sharing their tour poster with
fans writing, "get your tix NOW."
Now that their tour has ended, Ashanti is taking a break from the road before heading to the UK for two dates with Joe in early 2017.
Now that their tour has ended, Ashanti is taking a break from the road before heading to the UK for two dates with Joe in early 2017.
She's been traveling
Instagram
Even when she's not performing overseas, Ashanti is getting
stamps on her passport. She loves sharing photos of her travels with
fans, whether she's riding a WaveRunner in the Bahamas
or splashing in the waves in the Dominican Republic. She's even kissed a
dolphin and carved her name on a rock in Jamaica. The "Happy" singer
always travels in style whether it's a helicopter or a private plane
and, regardless of the adventure, Ashanti is sure to give you travel
fever.
She's been doing other things
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Although most people know Ashanti for her standout vocals, she's
also a talented actress. She's been a film and TV actress for over a
decade, even acting in Sabrina, The Teenage Witch way back in 2002. Ashanti has been in the incredibly popular Army Wives, which first premiered in 2007. She's also had movie roles in Coach Carter, John Tucker Must Die and 2016's Mothers and Daughters.
Ashanti has also been an entrepreneur, creating her own fragrance called Precious Jewel. She didn't stop there, though. Ashanti has also launched her own brand of vitamin, called OPC-3 Beauty Blend.
Ashanti has also been an entrepreneur, creating her own fragrance called Precious Jewel. She didn't stop there, though. Ashanti has also launched her own brand of vitamin, called OPC-3 Beauty Blend.
She's working on new music
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One of the reasons we haven't heard from Ashanti is a really
good one. The singer has been working in Los Angeles, recording new
music and collaborating with talents including Ty Dolla $ign, J-Roc, DJ
Mustard and Hit-Boy. She's already recorded approximately 15 songs, but
she has a few favorites.
"I'm probably in love with about six or seven of them, like in love in love," she told Billboard. "I'm working with different people, different sounds, different things on this album, just kind of going places I haven't gone before."
She's getting more personal for the album, speculated to drop in 2017. "I can really say in time that you grow and you learn and you just become more comfortable," she explained. "There are certain things that five years ago there's no way anyone could've gotten me to say certain things, but this time around it's like, 'Hey, we're in 2016 going into 2017, and this is how I feel. This is how it is. This is where we are in life, with everything.' I'm ready to do that.'"
"I'm probably in love with about six or seven of them, like in love in love," she told Billboard. "I'm working with different people, different sounds, different things on this album, just kind of going places I haven't gone before."
She's getting more personal for the album, speculated to drop in 2017. "I can really say in time that you grow and you learn and you just become more comfortable," she explained. "There are certain things that five years ago there's no way anyone could've gotten me to say certain things, but this time around it's like, 'Hey, we're in 2016 going into 2017, and this is how I feel. This is how it is. This is where we are in life, with everything.' I'm ready to do that.'"
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