Ashanti is most famous for her eponymous Grammy Award-winning debut album Ashanti which featured the hit song Foolish. The album set a Soundscan record as the most albums sold by any first-time female artist in the chart's history, outselling debuts by Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill. Later that year, she was acclaimed as the "Princess of Hip-Hop & R&B" by the media and capped off her successful debut by winning eight Billboard awards and two American Music Awards.
Ashanti cites Mary J. Blige and Ella Fitzgerald as her musical influences. Praised as a gifted songwriter by her peers and critics alike, Ashanti has written/co-written the bulk of all her music. She is currently an independent artist on her own record label entitled Written Entertainment.
It was when she was noticed by Murder Inc. mastermind Irv Gotti that Ashanti began to blossom. Gotti noted her dancing and acting abilities in addition to her vocal skills. In 2001, Ashanti was first featured as a background vocalist on rapper Big Pun's song How We Roll. In the same year, Ashanti was featured on fellow labelmate Caddillac Tah's singles Pov City Anthem and Just Like A Thug. She 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. She appeared as a background vocalist on I'm Real (Murder Remix), a collaboration by labelmate Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez (she also appeared in the music video for Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix), the 2nd duet between Lopez & Rule), 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 Notorious B.I.G. in his 1995 hit One More Chance). She 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 503,000 copies in its first week (the most successful first week sales for a debut R&B female artist up through that point--record later broken by Mary J. Blige's The Breakthrough). The album has been certified 3x platinum in the U.S and platinum (300,000 copies) in the UK. The album has sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide. Ashanti penned all 12 songs on the album, most written on-the-spot in the studio.
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 July 2003, Ashanti released her second album, Chapter II, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 326,000 copies in the U.S.. The album went Platinum, selling 1.5 million copies in U.S. The album's success was somewhat eclipsed, however, by all the negative drama surrounding the Murder Inc. camp at the time (i.e., the FBI investigation and the G-Unit feuding). Chapter II's first single, Rock wit U (Awww Baby), became a hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its video, which showed Ashanti in a bikini frolicking on a beach and riding an elephant named Bubbles, was nominated for two 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. A remix of the song contains interpolations of Michael Jackson's Rock with You. The second single, Rain on Me, reached the number-seven spot on the Hot 100 and number two on the Hot 100 R&B Songs chart. Chapter II was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album, and Rock wit U (Awww Baby) and Rain on Me were nominated in the categories of Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, respectively. At the end of 2003 in November, Ashanti performed at The American Music Awards and was nominated in two categories.
In November 2003, Ashanti's Christmas album, Ashanti's Christmas was released. The album containing 10 Christmas songs, six classic covers and four she wrote herself. To coincide with the release Ashanti premiered a Christmas Medley video for the album. While on BET's 106 & Park, Ashanti said the concept of the Christmas Album came from a guest spot she did on Steve Harvey's radio show. While playing a game with Stevie Wonder, he began playing Christmas medleys on the piano and Ashanti began singing them, giving her label head the idea to push for a Christmas Album. Ashanti went into the studio to record the album during the summer of 2003. According to soundscan, the album sold just around 100,000 units in the U.S.
Before Concrete Rose was released, Ashanti did some major promotion for her single Only U, when she premiered it at the 2004 Vibe Music Awards. In 2004, Ashanti was invited back to perform at VH1's Divas 2004. She appeared on stage with Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Jessica Simpson, and others. She performed Diana Ross' single "I'm Coming Out", and she performed a soul-influenced rendition of Chaka Khan's funk driven "Ain't Nobody. Later that year Ashanti collaborated with male R&B newcomer and labelmate Lloyd on the song Southside, which was released as his debut single and was a moderate hit. Wonderful—with Ja Rule and R. Kelly—peaked at number five in the U.S. and at number one in the UK, and Jimmy Choo with rapper Shyne reached number fifty-five on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Alongside artist such as Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, Eve, Brandy, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Missy Elliott, and many others, Ashanti participated in a cover of "Wake Up Everybody" in support of ACT, the left-leaning political action committee.
In December 2004, Ashanti released her third studio album, Concrete Rose, the title of which took on Tupac Shakur's pseudonym "The Rose That Grew from Concrete". The album debuted at number seven in the U.S with first week sales of 254,000 copies, and eventually became her third platinum certified album; according to Nielsen SoundScan, it has sold 871,000 copies. The first single, the gold-certified Only U, reached number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her biggest hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number two. A second single, the ballad Don't Let Them, garnered little chart success after Def Jam refused to fund a music video due to Irv Gotti's legal troubles during his money laundering trial. Ashanti used her own money to deliver the second video to her fans, with Gotti acting as director. The single was released only in the U.S., where it failed to chart, and the UK, where it reached the lower end of the top forty. In 2005, Ashanti graced the stage at the MTV Japan Music Awards, where she performed her hit single, Only U. She also won a Style award during the show. She performed alongside huge acts like Mariah Carey and Korean star Rain.
In December 2005, Ashanti released a remix album of Concrete Rose titled Collectables by Ashanti. It features six remixes of previously released tracks and four newly recorded songs, including the single Still on It, which features rappers Paul Wall and Method Man. The album was an opportunity for her to fulfill her contract with Def Jam (and have the option of working with another label), and did not fare well on the charts.
Her fourth studio album, The Declaration, was released on June 3, 2008. Ashanti ventured out and acquired producers and collaborators primarily outside The Inc. for the first time. She said the album was a representation of the freedom she felt she had at that time in her career. "I'm steering my own ship and taking the lead on everything. You can definitely hear the growth; I'm working with producers I've never worked with before". Irv Gotti was quoted as saying, "she's having her little Janet Jackson Control moment. Every artist has their moment when they feel they need to take over their own music and this is hers".
The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 with sales of 86,000 copies, Ashanti's lowest first-week sales for a studio album. As of September 2008, The Declaration had sold 230,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Two singles released during 2007 in advance of the album's release—Switch featuring Nelly, and Hey Baby (After the Club) featuring Mario Winans—did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Hey Baby (After the Club) reached number eighty-seven on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and the third single, the L. T. Hutton-produced The Way That I Love You, reached number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The final single, the Jermaine Dupri-produced Good Good, became a minor urban hit, peaking at number thirty on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Also featured on The Declaration is the Nelly collaboration Body on Me, which is the third single from his 2008 album Brass Knuckles.
In May 2009, Irv Gotti announced that he was officially releasing Ashanti from The Inc. Records, stating that "The relationship has run its course. The chemistry of what's needed — we're in two totally different places. You're talking to somebody that took her and shaped and molded her and put her out there for the world, and it blew up. We [hold the record] for the [fastest] selling debut by a female R&B artist — 503 [thousand]. We did it! My views and philosophies and her views and philosophies are not meeting up." Gotti also admitted that he and Ashanti have not spoken to each other in a long time. A rep for Ashanti did not respond.
BraveHeart, her fifth album on March 4, 2014. Upon release, the album garnered favorable reviews, with music critics describing Braveheart's sound as an "evolution of R&B" and praising the themes of empowerment, but criticizing the romantic clichés and lack of interesting moments on the album. On the charts, Braveheart opened at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming Ashanti's fifth consecutive top-ten album, as well as her first Independent Albums chart topper. It also debuted in the top-thirty of the UK R&B Albums Chart and top-forty of the UK Indie Albums Chart.
In 2017, she announced her seventh studio album, set to be released in 2018 or 2019. On November 6, 2017, she released the first single, “Say Less” feat. Ty Dolla $ign.
Focus Remix )
Ashanti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why don't you holla at me man
Now who else but me slim waist with that swag
Get on G, five plans and fly fast
If it ain't G's no I'm not there
I've been on TV straight for five years
My eyes are now something like binoculars
You put a Dollar on my hand, I'ma part of any plan
I'm focus, y'all niggas need to holla at me, man
He use to touch me, love me
Hug me, kiss me, hold me everyday
I never thought that I'd be finding out
That you gave your love away
Now how do you expect for me to stay
Wake up everyday with this on the brain
So I'ma say thanks and I'ma be on my way
Now I've got my head right
I can finally say good bye
To all the lies and the lonely nights
So focused
Now I've made up my mind
You were just a waste of time
But now I'm fine
'Cuz I'm focused you out of my life
I'm focus now
I'm focus now
I never thought that you would treat me
Like I'm just another girl
Thought, I was something to you
Something new
It's me and you against the world
But now I see this wasn't real
Just another game tryna play the field
So I'ma let go and Imma move on my own
I'm focus now
I'm focus now
Not concerned about
What nobody else gotta say
Just do what you do
'Cuz they gonna talk anyway
Yea, just stick with what you do
But remember to do it just for you
So don't even waste ya time
Keep it out cha mind and stay on ya grind
Now you all should know I'm focused
So boy don't try to tell me in that four door
Bentley, it's oh so pretty
They call me a gorilla when I'm on my grizzly
And I don't need a honey to be all that I can be
Last seen on the cover of King by the way name's Free
But y'all still gotta pay, those ones I'm making it just explains
That I'm focus and that's an under statement
And I don't know what someone was thinking
If I'm not mistaken, I heard his little heart was akin
He ain't sleeping the same the people done changed
You dead nigga, the reaper came and now sad nights
But we can have a bed fight, get the head right every night
Do what you supposed to do playa, I approach you 'cause
I'm so focus now nigga
I'm focus now
I'm focus now
I'm focus now
I'm focus now
The song Focus Remix by Ashanti is a song about moving on from a relationship where she was betrayed. Ashanti sings about how the man she was with used to treat her with love and affection but has now given his love away to someone else. She acknowledges that she can't stay with someone who doesn't value her, and instead chooses to focus on herself and her future. She declares that she is focused and nothing that anyone says or does will distract her from her goals.
The lyrics are empowering and encourage self-worth and self-love. Ashanti sends a message that it's important to move away from toxic relationships and focus on one's personal growth. The chorus repeats the line "I'm focus now" multiple times for emphasis. The lyrics also reference Ashanti's success as a musician, with her having been on television straight for five years. This line may be interpreted as her not wanting to waste her time on a relationship that is not fulfilling or productive for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Now who else but me slim waist with that swag
I'm the only one who has such a slim waist paired with that confident demeanor
Get on G, five plans and fly fast
Let's hustle and make money together, with five different business plans and soaring with speed
If it ain't G's no I'm not there
If we're not making money, then I won't show up
I've been on TV straight for five years
I've been consistently on TV for the past five years
Let's keep it real, I cant lie to y'all
Let's be honest, I can't deceive you all
My eyes are now something like binoculars
I'm focused and can see everything clearly
You put a Dollar on my hand, I'ma part of any plan
If you pay me, I'll be involved in any project
I'm focus, y'all niggas need to holla at me, man
I'm focused, and you guys should collaborate with me
He use to touch me, love me
He used to show affection towards me
Hug me, kiss me, hold me everyday
He would physically embrace me on a daily basis
I never thought that I'd be finding out
I never expected to discover
That you gave your love away
That you were giving your love to someone else
Now how do you expect for me to stay
How can you expect me to continue a relationship with you
Wake up everyday with this on the brain
Waking up every day with these thoughts in my head
So I'ma say thanks and I'ma be on my way
So I'll express my gratitude and move on
Now I've got my head right
Now I have a clear mind with my priorities in order
I can finally say good bye
I can now say farewell
To all the lies and the lonely nights
To all the deceit and nights spent alone
So focused
I am extremely focused
Now I've made up my mind
Now I've made a decision
You were just a waste of time
You were simply a waste of my time
But now I'm fine
But now I'm okay
'Cuz I'm focused you out of my life
Because I'm focused and have removed you from my life
Not concerned about
Not worried about
What nobody else gotta say
What anyone else has to say doesn't matter to me
Just do what you do
Just continue doing what you're doing
'Cuz they gonna talk anyway
Because people are going to talk regardless
Yea, just stick with what you do
Yes, just stick with your passion
But remember to do it just for you
But don't forget to do it for yourself
So don't even waste ya time
So don't bother wasting your time
Keep it out cha mind and stay on ya grind
Keep negative thoughts out of your head and continue working hard
So boy don't try to tell me in that four door
So don't even try to impress me with your fancy car
Bentley, it's oh so pretty
Just because you have a Bentley doesn't mean anything
They call me a gorilla when I'm on my grizzly
When I'm focused, I can be pretty intense and people compare me to a gorilla on a hunt
And I don't need a honey to be all that I can be
I don't need a romantic partner to reach my full potential
Last seen on the cover of King by the way name's Free
Just so you know, I was recently on the cover of King magazine, and my name is Free
But y'all still gotta pay, those ones I'm making it just explains
But you still have to pay to collaborate with me, the money I'm making explains why
That I'm focus and that's an under statement
I am extremely focused and saying that is an understatement
And I don't know what someone was thinking
I have no idea what someone was thinking
If I'm not mistaken, I heard his little heart was akin
If I'm not wrong, I heard that he was scared and nervous
He ain't sleeping the same the people done changed
He's not the same anymore and has changed due to his popularity
You dead nigga, the reaper came and now sad nights
You're done for, the consequences have arrived and now you're suffering
But we can have a bed fight, get the head right every night
But we can still have steamy nights and make up in bed
Do what you supposed to do playa, I approach you 'cause
Do what you're supposed to do, my approach to you is because
I'm so focus now nigga
I am so focused now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ASHANTI S. DOUGLAS, SEVEN MARCUS AURELIUS, JERRY BARNES, SELAN J. LERNER, IRVING DOMINGO LORENZO, M. WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind