b. Ashanti Douglas, 13 October 1980,
Glen Cove, New York, USA. For urban R&B singer
Ashanti it has been a case of third time lucky. Her
honey-toned voice and striking looks landed her a
recording contract with Jive Records at the age of
14, then again with Epic Records at 17, but neither
of those deals came to fruition. 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
(she had previously appeared in the Walt Disney
television musical Polly).
