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. Wonderfulโwith Ja Rule and R. Kellyโpeaked 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 releaseโSwitch featuring Nelly, and Hey Baby (After the Club) featuring Mario Winansโdid 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 โ 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 โ 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 clichรฉs 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, โSay Lessโ feat. Ty Dolla $ign.
Rescue
Ashanti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd be scared too
It's cool, though
Just holla back, aight?
All alone and I'm feeling warm and
Tryna wait, but my body's calling
You're the one, so why don't you come and rescue me?
And counting down 'til I see your face
And hurry up 'cause I love the way you rescue me
Now, you're here, come on out the rain and
Soaking wet, body's glistening
Finally, we can do something, so rescue me
Can't believe how it's going down
I'm so obsessed with this love I found
It's got my head spinning 'round and 'round
Just rescue me
All night long
Take me away to another place
Rescue me
Save me, save me, save me
All night long
Take me away to another place
Rescue me
Save me, save me, save me
I come alive when I feel your touch
And I could drown in this pool of love
Now, you could get what I'm thinking of
Come rescue me
What you think couldn't be replaced
If you were gone, I would find a way
To get you back 'cause I love the way you rescue me
Laying here with you in the dark
I always knew you could shift my heart
When I'm with you, I don't wanna stop, so rescue me
Only you can fulfill my needs
Take me away from this agony
I wanna live out my fantasy, just rescue me
All night long
Take me away to another place
Rescue me
Save me, save me, save me
All night long
Take me away to another place
Rescue me
Save me, save me, save me
Ooh, ooh-oh, oh
Ooh, ooh, ooh no
Ohh
All night long (all night long)
Take me away to another place (take me to another place)
Rescue me (rescue me)
Save me, save me, save me
All night long (all night long)
Take me away to another place (take me to another place)
Rescue me (rescue me)
Save me, save me, save me
All night long (all night long)
Take me away to another place (take me to another place)
Rescue me (Rescue me)
Save me, save me, save me
All night long (all night long)
Take me away to another place (take me to another place)
Rescue me (rescue me)
Save me, save me, save me
(Rescue me)
(Rescue me)
(Save me, save me)
(Rescue me)
(Save me, save me)
The lyrics of Ashanti's song "Rescue" depict a woman who is deeply in love with her partner and desperately wants to be rescued by them. The song conveys a sense of vulnerability and emotional dependence on the partner. In the first verse, the singer communicates that she is scared and feeling alone, and that she longs for her partner to rescue her. She implies that their relationship works because they share a similar state of mind and are in sync with each other. The second verse portrays the singer waiting for her partner to join her in the rain, both of them drenched and ready to make love. The chorus repeats the central message of the song, which is a call for the partner to rescue the singer and take her away to another place where they can be together all night long.
Line by Line Meaning
You still scared, I'll be scared too, it's cool though just holla back aight.
If you're afraid, it's okay because I'm also frightened. Just let me know.
All alone and I'm feeling wanted
Despite being alone, I desire someone's company.
Try to wait but my body's calling, you're the one so why don't
I'm trying to hold back, but my body is yearning for you. You're the only one for me, so why aren't you here?
You come and rescue me,
I need you to come save me from my loneliness and desire for you.
I'll be here while you on your way, counting down till I see your face,
I'll be patiently waiting for you to arrive, eagerly anticipating your arrival.
Hurry up cause I love the way you rescue me.
Please hurry because I cherish the way you come to my rescue.
Now you're here, come on out, the rain soaking wet
Now that you're here, let's go outside and enjoy the rain together.
Body glistening, finally we could do something so rescue me,
With our bodies shining from the rain, let's finally do something together. Please come rescue me.
Can't believe how it's going down,
I'm amazed at how things are coming together.
I'm so obsessed with this love I found it got my head spinning
I'm completely fascinated with this love I've discovered, it's making my head spin.
Round and round just rescue me.
Please take me away from the uncertainty of my emotions.
[Chorus]
Refrain - repeated multiple times throughout the song.
I come alive when I feel your touch
Your touch has a rejuvenating effect on me.
And I can drown In this pool of love, you could get what I'm thinking of
I'm completely immersed in this overwhelming love, and you know exactly what I'm thinking.
Come rescue me, what you think couldn't be replaced
Please come save me, because what we have is irreplaceable.
If you were gone I would find a way to get you back,
If we were ever separated, I would go to great lengths to be reunited with you.
'Cause I love the way you rescue me, laying here with you in the dark
I adore the way you always come to my rescue. Here in the darkness with you, I feel safe.
I always knew you could shift my heart,
I always knew you had the power to change my feelings.
When I'm with you I don't want to stop so rescue me,
I never want our time together to end, so please come save me.
Only you can fulfill my need take me away from this agony,
You're the only one who can satisfy my desires and take me away from this pain.
I want to live out my fantasy just rescue me.
I want to fulfill my wildest dreams with you, so please come rescue me.
[Chorus: x4]
Refrain - repeated multiple times throughout the song.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ashanti Douglas, Marcus Vest, Irving Domingo Lorenzo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@R8V10
I remember this years ago in prison someone played this and the whole wing went silent. When the track finished someone shouted "play that again" and so he did on repeat. Probably the most peaceful night in our cells.
@szasremmurd8002
A B wow that just gave me chills thinking of a dark jail late at night every body locked up preying to be rescued
@cmajor1487
sza sremmurd WOW, and for a group of men locked up that are mostly criminals/ hardcore gangstas to say that means a lot! I know plenty of men who love this album! It has a certain Hip-Hop Appeal to it.
@brandonethereal1084
@Corey Duncan That part. Ashanti was that girl...... I think she gets overshadowed because how Murder Inc's reign was so short, and also the R&B landscape changed. It went from having that smooth element to straight pop music.
@ArcherQueen13
Wow
@neiceymccarty8083
So glad you free โฃ๏ธโฃ๏ธโฃ๏ธ
@brittaniherdsman9795
This is one of the best tracks she's ever released to date
@KYRAA30
Definitely
@chexrnsfica
#Facts โโโโ๐ฏ๐ฏ
@brya8641
Facts