Shame on me for posting this feature without any background. I can do better. Known all over as an American singer-songwriter, record producer, model and actress, Ashanti is quite the lady. I feel the three songs I’m posting show her at her best. Her soothing voice paired with fresh takes on R&B, soul and hip hop made a lasting impact on the world of music. Back in the day when I was in Junior High, these tracks were huge. In 2002, “Foolish” amazingly sold 500K+ records in it’s first week of release, and still holds up strong in today’s Top 40 world (which I’d say has plummeted since the day’s of Ashanti’s first releases). Her debut self-titled album set a record for the biggest opening week sales of a new female artist, in front of Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill. Adding to this achievement in the same week, she was noted as the first female artist to simultaneously hold the top 2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Foolish” and “What’s Luv?” with Fat Joe. Records were shattered once again with her “Always On Time”, “Foolish” and “What’s Luv?” all placing in the top 10 of the Hot 100 charts in the same week. She is the first woman to accomplish this, the only other artist to do so are The Beatles.
– Jimi Jaxon
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