Ashanti (album)

Ashanti is the debut studio album by American R&B singer Ashanti. It was released on April 2, 2002, by Murder Inc. and Island Def Jam. The album features production by Irv Gotti and a variety of other producers. It is primarily an R&B album with influences of hip hop and soul.

Ashanti spawned several successful singles, including "Foolish," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and "Happy," which reached the top 10. Other singles released from the album were "Baby" and "What's Luv?" (the latter featuring Fat Joe and Ja Rule, although it appeared on Fat Joe's Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) album).

The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 503,000 copies in its first week. Ashanti was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Ashanti's vocals and the album's catchy hooks. Ashanti won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album in 2003.