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.
Things You Make Me Do
Ashanti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The things you make me do
The things you make me do
The things you make me do
I think every part of me, is addicted to your touch
Cause everything I got inside of me, got me needin' you so much
Got me open, got me coastin', got me floatin' babe
Got me jonesin', got me zonin', got me coin' craze
Boy, I'm shakin', body achin', got me waitin' babe
These are all the things, the things you make me do
[Chorus:]
I'll be your wife, I'll be the air you breathe
I'll be your drug, do anything to me
I'll wash your dishes, blowin' kisses in the bubbles babe
I'll be your bad girl that loves to get in trouble, babe
I'll be your wife, I'll be the air you breathe
I'll be your drug, do anything to me
Take you shoppin' for some [? ] buy you'll jewelry babe
And all my friends they think I'm crazy, the things you make me do
Voice soft, the crazy hoarse, (can't get on the floor?)
Private performance, I'm beggin', beggin' for more
You're so naughty and nice, you're so naughty and nice
Run Ashanti, run, you know I wanna chase it
[Pre Chorus:]
[Chorus:]
It's like your a fairy take, almost too good to be true
Cause even when I go to sleep at night, my body still be dreamin' you,
Hey, yeah
[Pre Chorus:]
[Chorus:]
I'm crazy babe, they think I'm crazy babe,
(You're so naughty and nice, you're so naughty and nice)
(They think I'm crazy)
Ohh, ohh
(Run Ashanti, run, you know I wanna chase it)
Hey, They don't know what you to do me babe
(ohh, ohh babe)
They don't know what you do to me babe, they don't know what you do to me babe
Hey babe, hey babe
The song "Things You Make Me Do" by Ashanti is a sultry love song that expresses the addictive nature of her lover. Through the lyrics, Ashanti reveals the intense passion and desire that her lover ignites within her, making her feel addicted to his touch. She opens the song by repeating "The things you make me do" several times to highlight how much she is under his spell. Ashanti then goes on to say that she is addicted to her lover's touch, which makes her need him even more.
The pre-chorus explains how her lover's touch affects her, causing her to feel open, floating, and jonesing. She describes how her body is shaking, and the ache that comes from waiting for him. Ashanti reveals that she is willing to do anything for her lover, even if it makes her appear crazy to others. The chorus emphasizes how much Ashanti is willing to give to satisfy her lover, from being his wife to his drug, even washing his dishes and buying him jewelry. The bridge reinforces how addicted Ashanti is to her lover and how he makes her dream of him even when she's sleeping.
Overall, Ashanti's "Things You Make Me Do" is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the way it can take over our lives. The lyrics reveal how her lover's touch is like a drug that Ashanti can't live without, and she is willing to do anything to keep him satisfied.
Line by Line Meaning
The things you make me do (ooh, oh babe, oh darling, oh no)
Your influence over me is so strong that I find myself doing things I had never expected to do.
I think every part of me, is addicted to your touch
I crave your touch so much that I feel like my entire being is addicted to it.
Got me open, got me coastin', got me floatin' babe
You have me mesmerized and feeling like I'm coasting on a cloud with your love.
Got me jonesin', got me zonin', got me coin' craze
Your influence over me is so strong that I feel like I'm going crazy without you and can't focus on anything else.
Boy, I'm shakin', body achin', got me waitin' babe
You have me feeling so anxious and excited that my body is shaking and I can't wait to be with you.
These are all the things, the things you make me do
These intense feelings and actions are all a result of your influence over me.
I'll be your wife, I'll be the air you breathe
I am willing to commit to you and be everything you need, even as essential as the air you breathe.
I'll be your drug, do anything to me
I am willing to do anything to keep you and your love, even if it means becoming addicted to you like a drug.
I'll wash your dishes, blowin' kisses in the bubbles babe
I am willing to do the most mundane tasks for you, even turning it into a cute and flirty moment.
I'll be your bad girl that loves to get in trouble, babe
I am willing to spice things up and push boundaries with you, even if it means being a little bit naughty.
Take you shoppin' for some [? ] buy you'll jewelry babe
I am willing to spoil you and show you just how much I care by buying you nice things.
And all my friends they think I'm crazy, the things you make me do
Others may not understand my intense love and willingness to do anything for you, but I am happy to do it because of the way you make me feel.
Voice soft, the crazy hoarse, (can't get on the floor?)
My voice is sweet and my love for you is crazy and intense.
Private performance, I'm beggin', beggin' for more
I am willing to be vulnerable and perform for you, even begging for more of your love and attention.
You're so naughty and nice, you're so naughty and nice
You have a complex personality that can be both naughty and nice, but I love both sides of you equally.
Run Ashanti, run, you know I wanna chase it
You have created a playful and flirty dynamic between us, making me want to run and have you chase after me.
It's like you're a fairy take, almost too good to be true
Your influence over me feels like a magical fairy tale, something that is almost unbelievable in its intensity and effect on me.
Cause even when I go to sleep at night, my body still be dreamin' you, Hey, yeah
Even when I am not actively thinking about you, my subconscious mind and body are still longing for you and dreaming about you.
I'm crazy babe, they think I'm crazy babe, (You're so naughty and nice, you're so naughty and nice)
Because of the intensity of my feelings for you and the things I am willing to do for you, others may think I am crazy, but I see and appreciate all sides of your personality.
Ohh, ohh (Run Ashanti, run, you know I wanna chase it), Hey, They don't know what you to do me babe, (ohh, ohh babe)
Others may not understand our intense connection and the fun, playful dynamic between us, but I know that you have the ability to make me feel things no one else can.
They don't know what you do to me babe, they don't know what you do to me babe, Hey babe, hey babe
Others may not be able to understand the deep, intense love and influence you have over me, but that doesn't change the way I feel, and how willing I am to do anything for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CHAD BURNETTE D/B/A CHAD B. PUBLISHING, DELLA MUSIC PUBLISHING, LLC
Written by: GABRIEL AMINOV, ASHANTI, SEVEN AURELIUS, CHAD BURNETTE, URIEL KADOUCH, SPENCER ROSS, ROBIN THICKE, CHAD DEXTER BURNETTE, ASHANTI DOUGLAS, SPENCER KEITH ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rae Martinez
Almost ten years later I'm still jamming this..
Renee B
This album did not get the proper promotion it needed. Loooove Ashanti and this song!!
ImNot Neutral
Ashanti has a lot of great music that she don't get credit for. music she have that is really banging they don't even play it so I just feel like its something out there thats trying to keep her back like a lot of other artists.
chanelsosavage
Royce Royce yesss totally agree
Sheldon Cannon
One of the hottest songs on the album!
Charles Sterling
This is Ashanti at her best!! Love this song
I Love Christmas
I like Robin's voice. Its so soft & sensual❤
chelsly scott
Lovee this song. it's so underated.
XO
Its trash 😭
omar x
One of her best songs.