Old Ashanti songs.Ashanti’s career took a while. However, she became successful, with a failed record deal, she had to learn from her failure. Furthermore , for the second time, she was signed. She became an instant hit. As of now, Ashanti is married with a son. She put her career as a priority for a long time. And now she is able to enjoy the fruits of her own labour
Old Ashanti Songs
- Foolish — This was her debut solo single, and it debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 100. The song samples “Stay with Me” by DeBarge. Ashanti co-wrote 12 songs on her album. This was the first album that she ever released, and it became successful. Songs from the album are still being remembered, and is it because of nostalgia, or people just miss music from the past, because it reminds them of how simple things were. The beat was originally meant for Craig David.
Early 2000’s
- “Happy” (2002, feat. Ja Rule) —Old Ashanti songs. The song samples the Gap Band’s 1982 song “Outstanding,” and it became a top 10 song. In the early 2000s, the collaborations between her and Ja Rule were always good, and they worked very well, because they knew what flow works for them musically. Missy Elliott and Timbaland were a good collab. Ashanti collaborating with rappers worked well, because she is a good songwriter.
- Baby — This was the third and final song from her album. The video is co-directed by Irv Gotti and Nia Long. Ashanti recorded the song in New York. Irv Gotti was a vital person .When it comes to her success. His brother, Chris Gotti, encouraged Irv Gotti to look at Ashanti’s writing skills.
- Rock With U — Old Ashanti songs.The song got her 2 VMA nominations. Ashanti, during a CBS interview, was reflecting on this era in her life, and she wasn’t grasping how big her career was becoming, because she was just a girl from Long Island. She didn’t know how far her career could go, and that’s the beauty of pursuing your dreams — you never know how far your career can go. And this was a hard time to become a singer. You needed to go out there and hustle. You couldn’t just upload your music online. You had to meet the right people that can make your career happen.
Awareness
- Rain On Me —Old Ashanti songs. The song samples Isaac Hayes’ version of “The Look of Love.” Ashanti revealed she wrote the song in the back of a limousine on her way to a bookstore event. She was promoting her poetry book. She wrote this after her sister Shia went through domestic violence. This could help someone that is dealing with a situation like this, and with her platform, she can bring awareness.
- Only U — Old Ashant songs.The song samples Club Nouveau’s 1986 “Why You Treat Me So Bad.” In a 2004 interview, she explained the song was about being infatuated with a person. The point of the song is that only one person can do all these things, and only one person could make you feel this way.
- The Way That I Love You —Old Ashanti songs. It was the lead single from The Declaration album. The song is inspired by a true crime show, Snapped. It shows Ashanti murdering a cheating boyfriend. It drew backlash, and it sparked a protest in Los Angeles. When it comes to songwriting, you can be inspired by everywhere that you look.
Relationship with Nelly
- Never Should Have — It’s the lead single from the album Braveheart. It soundtracked the season 7 finale of Army Wives, which Ashanti also co-starred in. She wrote this song after a decade-long relationship with Nelly. The relationship was also on and off, and they didn’t really claim each other publicly like that. She says: “It’s a very real record that’s inspired by a real experience and it came from a real place… A lot of people have been in a situation where they’ve been betrayed or lied to or taken advantage of.”
- Always On Time — The song was actually a solo song for Ja Rule. The beat was actually meant for Brandy. Ja Rule fought to keep the beat and added Ashanti. This was Ashanti’s fame moment. This was how she was introduced to the public. Ja Rule said he wanted a new, fresh person to be featured on the song. That’s why he picked Ashanti.
- Don’t Let Them — The song interpolates Syl Johnson’s 1974 “Could I Be Falling in Love.” This video was shot in March of 2005. Ashanti was starting to have a complicated relationship with Irv Gotti. When he died in 2025, she said: “We weren’t on the best terms the past few years, but… I will forever be grateful for everything that you’ve done for me.”
- What’s Luv — Old Ashanti songs.This song was featured with Fat Joe, and the song almost went to Jennifer Lopez. She found out on Instagram Live with Fat Joe. Ashanti’s part in this song fits very well for her.
- Body On Me — This was recorded during the time she was secretly dating Nelly. They reunited to perform together on stage in 2022. Nelly and Ashanti got married in 2023.
Verzuz
- Woman To Woman — Old Ashanti songs.Ashanti wrote this song for Keyshia Cole. Years later, she did a Verzuz with Keyshia.
- Body On Me — The song was originally written for former B2K member Lil Fizz, before it became an Ashanti, Nelly, and Akon song. This was recorded during the time she was in a relationship with Nelly. Jay-Z and Beyoncé are seen as a power couple, and that’s how they are branded. Their relationship has become a business, and not everyone wants that attention.
- Mesmerize — The song samples the Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye-associated “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart).” Ashanti and Ja Rule realized, while they were watching Hamilton, that some of their early 2000s duets had inspired their musical.
- Nasty — Old Ashanti songs.DaBaby said in an interview that Ashanti’s ad-lib on the bridge caught him the most off guard.
Credit
- “Ain’t It Funny” (Murder Remix) — This was a Jennifer Lopez hit that Ashanti wrote. She didn’t get her credit for it. She wasn’t supposed to be in the session — she was at the studio picking up something. Chris Gotti decided to let her into the session. She was annoyed with Irv, because she wanted to keep the song for herself. Ja Rule reveals the lyrics were about Jennifer Lopez’s breakup with Diddy.
- Down 4 U — In the song’s music video, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown are featured.
- Southside — The video takes inspiration from A Bronx Tale. Ja Rule makes a cameo in the music video. Twenty years later, in 2024, Lloyd made a surprise appearance to perform his part of “Southside.” He also wrote an emotional letter to her baby. He says Ashanti changed his life.
- Fall Slowly — The song went certified gold on Joyner Lucas’s EP. It was released in 2020.
- “I’m Real,” Jennifer Lopez, uncredited vocals by Ashanti — Ashanti recorded the original demo of Jennifer Lopez’s song before she was signed to Murder Inc. Some of her background vocals and even ad-libs made it to the song. She was upset with Irv Gotti, because she wanted the song. She said: “I was so mad at Irv, ’cause I was like, ‘You know I wanted that record!'” This song would have been perfect for Ashanti. It seems like, when Jennifer Lopez came onto the scene, all of the music attention was placed on her, and that affected others. She already had a successful acting career.
Samples
- Enough Of No Love — The song features Lil Wayne and Keyshia Cole. Ashanti has her credit as a co-writer. Songwriting is Ashanti’s bread and butter. She knows how to write songs. There are some people who know how to sing, but they don’t know how to write, and then there are some who know how to write, but they don’t know how to sing. If you have both talents, it can make such a huge difference — your career will go further.
- “The Pledge” (Remix) (2002, Ja Rule feat. Ashanti, Nas & 2Pac) — This collaboration was a good idea. Nas at that time was killing it in the early 2000s with his lyrical rap. They managed to get vocals from Tupac, even though at that time he was dead. He died on September 25, 1996.
- “Baby” (2022, Aitch feat. Ashanti) — This song was built around a sample from “Rock With U” by Ashanti. Aitch said the sample was personal because he loved the song from the time he was 4 years old. Imagine listening to a song since you were 4, and you were able to collaborate with the queen.
Deep
- Scars — In a Hot 97 interview, Ashanti called this song a deep record. Ashanti didn’t confirm who this was about. The public felt like it was about Nelly. She has been honest that songwriting comes from the real-life experience she has gone through.
- “I Got It,” feat. Rick Ross — This was a lead single from the album Braveheart. This song was about the independence that she was taking. She was releasing music through her own music label. It was important to her to release music through her own label. After starting from the bottom, releasing music to a label that she was signed to, she officially was her own boss. Owning your masters is a big deal, because a lot of artists are slaves to their own music. They don’t have a lot of control, and it makes it difficult to be creative.
Featured
- “Early in the Morning” (2014, feat. French Montana) — The song is directed by Eif Rivera. It also features Ashanti’s younger sister, Shia. Filming this video was a lot. They started around 4 a.m. Call time ran hours over. She went from set to the video shoot. She was in Poetic Justice braids from the movie. She only learned the dance routine right before filming.
- “The Inc.” (2001, Ja Rule Presents, feat. Ashanti, Black Child & Caddillac Tah) — This was Murder Inc.’s introduction when it comes to their artists. Ashanti and Ja Rule were also the most successful out of all the artists they signed. What worked is the successful collaboration that they had — it worked very well.
- Let’s Go — The song was released through her own label, Written Entertainment. The music industry was changing at this time. Streaming was taking over, and it wasn’t CDs anymore. People were watching music videos on YouTube and listening to music on Apple Music and SoundCloud. Should older musicians adapt to the new way of music? They should, because they can be left behind. However, they shouldn’t change the sound of their music, because many people take inspiration from their era. People love listening to the collaboration between Ja Rule and Ashanti. There was also a time when we didn’t hear a lot of music being released by Ashanti.
- “Say Less” (2017, feat. Ty Dolla $ign) — This song was released while touring with Ja Rule. This song sounds different than her other songs.
Pretty Little Thing
- “Pretty Little Thing” (2019, feat. Afro B) — This song has an Afrobeat vibe. Ashanti is a Black American, and her mother named her after the Ashanti people of Ghana. She liked how the women were empowered in the culture, and named her after that. It’s important to give a name to your child that has a meaning. The kids become their names, because now you can’t even imagine a name without “Ashanti.” Her name also fits with her brand — it’s almost like the name is a clothing brand.
- Count — Listeners describe the song as more of a club/twerk anthem. The Braveheart album switched the sound from her early 2000s work, and she wasn’t in her 20s anymore — she was in her 30s. She had to grow as an artist in order to make it in the music industry.
Concrete rose since 2004
- “No One Greater” (2012, feat. Meek Mill & French Montana) — This was Ashanti’s first recording with Irv Gotti since her 2004 album Concrete Rose. This was a reunion with her mentor. People were excited to see them together, because it was very nostalgic. Irv Gotti has also made a mark in the music industry that will never be forgotten.
- “The Woman You Love” (2011, feat. Busta Rhymes) — This was Ashanti’s first release through her own independent label. This was after a 4-year recording hiatus. People had been wanting to hear from Ashanti. She has a loyal fan base that will wait for her no matter what, because of who she is. Taking a break is not bad, because you can make people miss you, and when you return, you have all these people listening to your music, giving you feedback on whether they like the song. There is so much you can learn when you go on a break.
- Into You — There are 2 versions of this song. The song samples the Commodores’ “Say Yeah.” She was originally supposed to be the one collaborating with Fab; however, Irv didn’t want her in the music video. He was worried that she was being oversaturated, because she was already doing a lot of singles. Tamia ended up in the music video; however, she missed out on a hit. There were so many times that Ashanti missed out on an opportunity because of Irv.
- “Gangsta Lovin’,” Eve feat. Alicia Keys — Ashanti passed on this song.Ashanti On “Dark Times” At Murder Inc. & Passing On Hit Song
