Ashanti was born in Glen Cove, New York. Her mother and father are African-Americanand Dominican descent. In an Ebony Magazine interview Ashanti stated that she is not of mixed ancestry; Ashanti is 100% African-American and both her parents are the same. Ashanti has a little sister named Shia. Before Ashanti pursued a music career Ashanti was accepted to Hampton Universty.

Ashanti was first featured as a background vocalist on rapper Big Pun's song "How We Roll". Ashanti also appeared on the 2001 The Fast and the Furious soundtrack as a featured artist on Vita's 2001 hip hop remake of Madonna's "Justify My Love" and on the solo track "When a Man Does Wrong". Ashanti appeared as a background vocalist on "I'm Real (Murder Remix)", a collaboration by labelmate Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez, and was featured on Fat Joe's "What's Luv?" and Ja Rule's "Always on Time". "What's Luv" and "Always on Time" were released simultaneously and became two of the biggest hit songs of 2002. Ashanti became the first female to occupy the top two positions on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart when "Always on Time" and "What's Luv?" were number-one and number-two respectively.

Following the success of her collaborations with Ja Rule and Fat Joe, Ashanti released her debut single, "Foolish", which contained a sample of the 1983 song "Stay With Me" by DeBarge (also utilized by The Notorious B.I.G. in his 1995 hit "One More Chance"). Ashanti became the second artist (after the The Beatles) to have their first three chart entries in the top ten of the Hot 100 simultaneously. Ashanti's self-titled debut album, Ashanti, was released on Irv Gotti's Murder Inc. record label in April 2002. It debuted at number-one on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart, selling over 504,000 copies in its first week (the most successful first week sales for a debut R&B female artist). The album has been certified 4x platinum in the U.S. The album is 6x Platinum world-wide.

Ashanti's follow-up singles, "Happy" and "Baby", were not as successful as her debut single but did peak in the top ten and top twenty in the U.S. respectively. During the summer of 2002, Ashanti appeared on Ja Rule's "Down 4 U" with labelmates, female rappers Vita and Charli Baltimore. The song appeared on a Murder Inc. compilation titled Irv Gotti Presents The Inc. Ashanti's debut album earned her many awards including eight Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, a Lady of Soul Award for "Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year," and a Grammy Award.

In 2003, Ja Rule and Ashanti collaborated on another hit song, "Mesmerize." Its music video was a parody of a scene from the film Grease.

In July 2003, Ashanti released her second album Chapter II. It debuted at number-one on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 326,000 in the U.S. The album has been certified Platinum in the U.S. Chapter II's first single, "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)", became a hit, peaking at number-two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its steamy video, which showed Ashanti in a bikini frolicking on a beach and riding an elephant, was nominated for two 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. A remix of the song contained interpolations of Michael Jackson's "Rock with You".

The second single, "Rain on Me," reached the top ten of the Hot 100. In the "Rain on Me" mini-movie music video directed by Hype Williams and co-starring Larenz Tate, Ashanti portrays a troubled young woman in an abusive relationship. Ashanti's powerful song and lyrics combined with William's visuals to impart the power and horror of the cycle of domestic violence. Ashanti partnered with LidRock to distribute this mini-movie using LidRock's unique platform. This promotion, in conjunction with heavy rotation on MTV, BET, and other music video programs, has brought this film and her cause to the attention of millions of fans. It has also helped to raise money for the cause with proceeds from the $5 mini-disc going toward helping to stop domestic violence.

The album has sold over 2.5 million copies world-wide, becoming another one of Ashanti's successful efforts.

In May 2003, Ashanti appeared on VH1 Divas and performed her single "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)." Ashanti also participated in duets with Stevie Wonder (who later gave her the nickname Little Libra) performing "Do I Do," and the Isley Brothers performing "Who's That Lady".

In November 2003, Ashanti's Christmas album, Ashanti's Christmas, was released. During the release, Ashanti's label Murder Inc. was undergoing investigation by the FBI.

In 2004, Ashanti was invited back to perform at VH1 Divas 2004. Ashanti appeared on stage with Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson, and others.

Ashanti appeared on three more collaborations. "Southside," with male R&B newcomer and labelmate Lloyd, was released as his debut single and was a moderate hit while "Wonderful" with Ja Rule and R.Kelly peaked at #3 in the U.S and at #1 in UK. Ashanti was also featured on Shyne's song "Jimmy Choo".

Ashanti released her third studio album, Concrete Rose, in December 2004. The album debuted at #7 in the U.S with first week sales of 245,000, making this her first studio CD to not debut at #1. The first single, "Only U," reached the top fifteen of the Hot 100 and became her biggest hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at #2, while the follow-up single "Don't Let Them" failed to chart in the U.S. The album has been certified platinum in the U.S.

On December 6,2005, Ashanti released a remix album of Concrete Rose titled Collectables by Ashanti. The album features six remixes of previously released tracks and four newly recorded songs, including the single "Still on It", which featured rappers Paul Wall and Method Man. The album, considered an opportunity for her to fulfill her contract with Def Jam, was not commercially successful, managing to debut at #59 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 35,000.

On Monday, November 27, 2006, Ashanti appeared on BET's 106 & Park to promote the posthumous release of the song Pac's Life, which features herself and rapper T.I.. During the interview, Ashanti mentioned that her new LP would be coming out some time in 2007 and that some of the producers of her 2007 release included L.T. Hutton, Jermaine Dupri, and Pharell Williams. Ashanti also stated that she recorded a song with Snoop Dogg.
Ashanti's Next Album will be called "Incredible".

After success with her music career, Ashanti has also ventured into acting. In 2004, Ashanti appeared in the English-language Bollywood film "Bride and Prejudice." in which Ashanti sang "My Lips are Waiting" and "Touch My Body." In January 2005, Ashanti made her feature film acting debut in the film "Coach Carter" alongside Samuel L. Jackson. The movie opened at number-one at the U.S. box office, eventually grossing $70 million in the U.S. In 2005, Ashanti also starred as Dorothy Gale in the made-for-television film "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz" for which Ashanti won the "sexiest lead female in a childrens film award" in an internet poll. Ashanti starred in the 2006 film "John Tucker Must Die," which opened and peaked at #3 at the U.S. box office and has grossed $58.7 million worldwide. Ashanti has also appeared on the TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Ashanti will also appear in the 2007 film "Resident Evil: Extinction."

In addition to singing, Ashanti has emerged as a songwriter, penning songs for pop and R&B performers Jennifer Lopez, Christina Milian, and Toni Braxton. Ashanti released a book of poetry titled Foolish/Unfoolish Reflections on Love in 2002 and a fragrance, "Precious Jewel by Ashanti," in October 2005. In 2005, Ashanti signed an exclusive deal with Sears to release her own brand of jeans titled "Delicious Curves." In early 2006, Ashanti released "Ashanti's OPC-3 Beauty Blend," a nutritional supplement. Ashanti also has a clothing line in Europe for teenage girls titled "Princess." Ashanti has received the keys to the cities of Glen Cove, New York (her hometown), Atlantic City (crowned Princess of Hip Hop), and Miami, Florida. Ashanti is set to showcase her style in a book, titled Ashanti Style, which will be released in late 2007. The book, which is being touted as Ashanti's "life and style guide" will offer fans a behind-the-scenes look into her style, both in her personal and professional life. Ashanti Style will be published by Jump at the Sun, an imprint of Disney's Hyperion Books for Children. Another venture Ashanti has enlisted in is her own handbags and pocketbook to be revealed in 2007. Ashanti cites Mary J. Blige, Ella Fitzgerald, and Blue Magic as her musical influences.

In July 2005, record producer Genard Parker claimed Ashanti dumped him after she became successful. A New York court heard Parker's claims that in 1996 he helped Ashanti in his Bronx studio for eight months before allowing her to sign with Jive Records. Parker's lawyer said Ashanti understood that she would pay Parker $50,000, plus his right to create two records for her first album, and royalty fee's on her first five albums. Parker is claiming over $2.3 million, while Ashanti's lawyers, accepting she prised Parker in a promo-video, say Parker "couldn't deliver" and she owes the producer only $50,000. In late 2005 Ashanti was ordered by a jury to pay Mr Parker $630,000 (£335,000), but a judge later rejected most of the award, ruling the jurors did not have sufficient facts to determine the proper amount of damages. The case went to court on 17 September, but was dropped in light of the parties reaching an undisclosed out of court settlement.

Since mid-2003 Ashanti has been dating rapper Nelly. The two have been spotted on vacations, shopping, and even attending basketball games together. He was no stranger to the set of her 2005 movie Coach Carter. Samuel L. Jackson has said Nelly and Ashanti are always on the phone during Ashanti's off-time, and Nelly would bring her food for her breaks. Nelly also attended the premiere of John Tucker Must Die with her. Ashanti also attended his Black and White ball.

Ashanti (2002)
Intro
Foolish
Happy
Leaving (Always On Time Part II)
Narrative Call
Call
Scared
Rescue
Baby
Voodoo
Movies
Fight (Over Skit)
Over
Unfoolish
Shi Shi
Dreams
Thank You