Famed R&B singer and songwriter Ashanti and long-time collaborator Ja Rule are coming to the National this weekend and the singer is promising a number of surprises.
Famed R&B singer and songwriter Ashanti and long-time collaborator Ja Rule are coming to the National this weekend and the singer is promising a number of surprises.
You’re probably familiar with Ashanti and Ja Rule’s many many #1 singles like 2001’s “Always on Time:”
Or 2002’s “Mesmerize” with the incredible Grease inspired music video:
Or Both Ja Rule and Ashanti working with R. Kelly on “Wonderful:”
If you haven’t gotten the hint yet, the girl was instrumental in the development of early 00’s hip hop and R&B. She was everywhere and for good reason; her powerful voice was only matched by her stage and screen presence.
“We’re fortunate and blessed to have a body of work where we made really good music,” Ashanti said in an interview with RVAMag. “We put our hearts and souls into it and our chemistry is genuine and people connect with that.”
While the relationship was first fostered in the hallowed halls of Def Jam and Murder Inc records, she found success with solo work as well. Check out the classic “Foolish” below:
That solo work branched of into a number of other projects that put the singer in different spotlights. She was on the small screen with appearances on shows like Disney’s animated show The Proud Family and played Lissa, a demon who tried to sacrifice Buffy’s best friend Xander, on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
In 2009 She played the lead in an NYC production of The Wiz which helped increase the performers actress cred.
Eventually she started her own record label, Written Entertainment, which she has since turned into a platform for a number of unique projects from music to film.
The notoriety has put Ashanti in front of some of the most important people in the world include First Lady Michelle Obama who asked the artist to work on her fitness campaign a few years back and has since worked with her again to encourage better eating and drinking habits among kids.
“It’s really important to encourage people stay healthy,” Ashanti said about the Drink Up Campaign. “Nowadays, with so much processed food and candy, we’re trying to encourage people to drink water and stay healthy.”
Thinking back on those early days, still in her mid-20’s and involved in platinum singles with some of the biggest names in hip hop, Ashanti said she couldn’t imagine she’d be in as many diverse roles as she is now.
“Everything was moving so fast, you don’t realize a thing. It’s just ‘what city am I in today? What Country is this?’” she said. “But when things slow down for a minute and you get a chance to reflect, you realize there’s a lot of things I’ve accomplished and there’s a lot of things I want to do and grow and progress.”
Starting Written Entertainment and being a role model for aspiring young girls is on that list. She’s all too familiar with the judgements people cast on her not only as a performer, but as a female with a willingness to work for what she wants.
“There’s always someone watching and looking for your flaws,” she said. “I feel like there are little girls watching, five-year-old girls getting on instagram. So, I think it’s important to be yourself and always be a strong, confident woman.”
She kept in touch with Ja Rule throughout it all which helped lead to the creation of their upcoming tour.
“This is the closest we’ve been,” she said. “We were traveling so much when those records came out, there’s stuff we did together, but there was a lot we were doing separate. Now we’re on FaceTime and Facebook together every other day.”
She said preparation for the tour has been hectic, with late night phone calls lasting hours as the two breakdown setlists and possible tracks.
“We’ve been passionate about everything involved in the show to make sure you all have a freak’n blast,” she said.
She’s particularly excited to bring the show to RVA as she’s got family who live in town. While she admitted she doesn’t make it down here often, she said she knows there’s lots of love for her sound in Richmond.
“It’s important for us to give that love back,” she said. “It’s important to let all of the fans know we appreciate you all from a far. If we can reach you, we can reach you, we’re there.”
And as for new music, Ashanti has a few things in store, including a chance to hear a new track at this weekend’s performance. The singer also heard from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the broadway smash Hamilton, who reached out to say he was influenced by her work and offered the chance to collaborate.
“Manuel said our music inspired him on a lot of his music,” she said. “It’s going to be really exciting, I might have said too much already, but it’s going to be really cool.”
As if music wasn’t enough, she’s also executive producing a movie, Stuck, which traps six strangers together in a NYC subway train on a particularly hot summer day.
STUCK – Teaser from Michael Berry on Vimeo.
“A lot of stereotypes come out and a lot of tension comes out,” she said. “It has a bit of a musical aspect to it… it’s a character I haven’t played before. And it’s something that’s really important.”
Your chance to catch the singer in the flesh happens this Saturday, 8/27, at the National – you’re sure to hear some of your favorites, and maybe some new tracks as well. Snag your tickets here.
