Ashanti – Ashanti

Review

Ashanti's self-titled debut album dropped like a bomb in 2002, shaking up the R&B scene with its smooth sounds and hip-hop vibes. This wasn't just any old record - it was the culmination of Ashanti's songwriting chops and her own artistic vision, all wrapped up in a neat little package by Murder Inc. and Def Jam.

The album's got some serious star power, with guest spots from Ja Rule, Gotti, and even a posthumous appearance by the Notorious B.I.G. But let's not kid ourselves, it's Ashanti's show through and through. Her vocals on tracks like 'Foolish,' 'Happy,' and 'Baby' are something else - girl's got range and depth for days. And speaking of 'Foolish,' that track was an absolute monster, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for a whopping ten weeks straight.

Now, let's talk numbers, 'cause this album was breaking records left and right. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, moving a cool 503,000 units in its first week - a feat unheard of for a female artist's debut at the time. The album held that top spot for three weeks and eventually went triple platinum. And if that wasn't enough, it snagged three Grammy nods, including a win for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Not too shabby for a debut, huh? - Noah