Names Mary J. Blige, Ella Fitzgerald and Blue Magic are artists whom inspired her. Her songs "Foolish", "Always On Time", and "What's Luv" made the top 10 all in one week. Launched her career in 1994 when she was recognized at a talent show. Wrote all 12 tracks on her self-titled debut album. A native of Long Island, she began singing at the age of 12. Was the first R&B singer to join Murder Inc. Records. Has worked with Ja Rule, Big Pun and Fat Joe. Turned down a track scholarship to Hampton University to pursue her singing career. Before she joined Murder Inc. Records, she was signed by Jive Records. Her father is half African-American (black) and half Chinese and her mother is 3/4 Hispanic (Dominican) and 1/4 African-American (black). Ashanti Detailed Biography In 2002, Ashanti and her knack for writing hit records helped the singer/songwriter alter Soundscan history when her self-titled debut album sold more copies in its first week of release than any first-time female solo artist in the chart's history outselling debuts by Beyoncé, Tweet, Alicia Keys and Lauren Hill. Simultaneously, Ashanti also secured the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart in Spring 2002 with the hit single Foolish. Also in 2002, the then 21-year-old rocked the Billboard charts by having her first three chart entries all land in the top 10 of The Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. (Ashanti is the first female to accomplish this feat and only second to the Beatles to do so.) Her string of top ten singles include, Rock Wit U (Aww Baby), Foolish, Happy, Mesmerized featuring Ja Rule, What's Love with rapper Fat Joe and Always on Time with Ja Rule. Also, Ashanti is co-writer of the Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule hit single Ain't it Funny (remix), which also reached the Top 10. Ashanti, now 25, won a Grammy in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B album, seven Billboard Awards, two American Music Awards, The Lady of Soul Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year Award and a 2002 BET Award for Best New Artist. Ashanti published her first book of poetry and essays Foolish/Unfoolish: Reflections On Love through Hyperion. Ashanti will have a second book published by Hyperion in Spring '05. Also in Spring ‘05, Ashanti stars as Dorothy in The Muppets Wonderful World of Oz on ABC. Ashanti's third album Concrete Rose hits stores on Dec. 14th.