Murder Inc. recording artist, Ashanti,  made a huge splash in 2002. Her self-titled debut album landed the # 1 spot  on both the Billboard Top 200 and R&B album charts selling a whopping 504,693  units in its first week. Her first week showing set a Soundscan record as the most albums sold by any first -time female artist in the chart’s history. Simultaneously, Ashanti also secured the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart with her song “Foolish.”

Also, Ashanti  made Billboard history by having her first three chart entries all land in the top 10 of The Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. (She is the first female to accomplish this feat and only second to the Beatles to do so.)

Ashanti’s already well established track record has placed her on the sweet road to success. (Ja Rule’s “Always On Time” has broken history as Def Jam's top selling single. Her contribution to J. Lo's “I'm Real” helped give the former fly girl-turned-actress-turned-singer urban credibility.) The impact she hopes to make during her reign is simple: “If you’re a person who has trouble expressing yourself, all you have to do is pop in this album and it’ll speak for you,” she says with all sincerity. “When you listen to this album with your man or your girl, everybody will be on the same page.” Says a much more boastful Gotti, “Ashanti delivers at the highest level. And she has this personality that makes people love her. She’s got too many people feeling her, too many hit records and too much heat for her to stop,” he praises. “She can’t lose.”