Ashanti burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with a voice that blended soulful R&B with streetwise edge. Discovered by Irv Gotti for her knack in crafting hooks, she quickly became the go-to melodic collaborator on major hip-hop hits like Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?” and Ja Rule’s “Always on Time,” which
Ashanti burst onto the scene in the early 2000s with a voice that blended soulful R&B with streetwise edge. Discovered by Irv Gotti for her knack in crafting hooks, she quickly became the go-to melodic collaborator on major hip-hop hits like Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?” and Ja Rule’s “Always on Time,” which dominated the charts. Her breakthrough solo single, “Foolish,” ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for ten weeks, leading to her self-titled debut album’s triple platinum success and a host of awards—including a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
In 2003, Ashanti solidified her star power with her sophomore release, Chapter II, featuring hits like “Rock wit U (Awww Baby)” and “Rain on Me.” That same year, she also showcased a different side with the festive Ashanti’s Christmas. Alongside these career milestones, her high-profile relationship with rapper Nelly began in 2003 after their meeting at the Grammy Awards, intertwining her musical success with a celebrated celebrity romance, in December 2023, it was reported the couple were expecting their first child together and had married in April 2024, Ashanti confirmed her pregnancy and the couple’s engagement in Essence magazine, On July 18, 2024, the couple welcomed their first child.
