Ashanthi De Alwis
| Ashanthi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B, Sri Lankan Music |
| Years active | 2003 – present |
| Labels | Sony Music, Universal Music,M Entertainment |
| Associated acts | Bathiya and Santhush, Randhir Witana |
| Website | Official Website |
Ashanthi de Alwis (Sinhala:අශාන්ති ද අල්විස්) is a Sri Lankan rapper and singer. She is the only Sri Lankan female Hip hop/R&B artist who signed with an international record label, Sony Music in 2003 and Universal Music in 2006.[1][2][3] She began as a singer with Bathiya and Santhush, and continued that role after achieving solo success.
Career
Ashanthi's first major label album was as half of the duo Ashanthi n' Ranidu, with the album Oba Magemai released in 2003.[4] Her debut solo album Sandawathuren was released in 2006.[5][6] This was the first R&B hip hop, solo album to be released by a Sri Lankan woman.[1] Her general style of music is ethnic R&B and hip-hop coupled with pop & soul ballads of mass market appeal. Sandawathuren was sung in the Sinhala language, with the exception of two English songs.[6]
Ashanthi has toured internationally in countries throughout Europe, North America, Australasia and Asia.[1][2][7] In 2006 Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka's flagship telecommunications company signed up Ashanthi to be a brand ambassador for their pre-paid brand KIT.[8]
At the 2008 Derana Music Video Awards, Ashanthi won the award for 'Best Hip Hop Video' for Alawanthiyak [9]
2012–present: "Rock the World" and international recognition
Ashanti released her first English Language Album 'Rock the World' in August 2012, aiming for an international market. The lead single off the album was, 'Let's Give Peace A Chance'. Which was also recorded in Sinhalese with additional vocals by Benny Dayal.
Gangnam Style (English R&B Remix)
In November 2012 She released a Track named "Gangnam Style (English R&B Remix)" and was released as a single on Nov 24, 2012, uploaded in to her Official YouTube channel
The song received a highly negative reception, mainly for copying an international song and Ashanthi's singing performance. When the ratings of the YouTube video disabled by her on Dec, 2012, it had already amassed more than 75000 views, and had "dislikes" (95% of total ratings) from YouTube users. Later all the negative comments were deleted and from Dec,19, 2012 all new comments will be held on approval. Shortly after the video released, parody and reaction memes began appearing on Facebook and Sri Lankan Online Forums.
Discography
Albums
- Oba Magemai (with Ranidu), Sony Music, 2003
- Sandawathuren Universal Music, 2006
- Daas Panawa Universal Music, 2011
- Rock the World Universal Music, 2012
References
- 1 2 3 "Infinite Success". The Sunday Times online. 2006-11-19. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- 1 2 "Ashanthi to perform in London, Goa and India". Daily News online. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "Play that funky music". Mirror Magazine (The Sunday Times). Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "Ashanthi and Ranidu". Sunday Observer. 2003-01-12. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "It's all in a song". Morning Leader. 2006-10-25. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- 1 2 "Ashanthi uncovered". Sri Lankan Daily Mirror. 2006-11-29. Archived from the original on 30 January 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "In a sense I am a solo artist - Ashanthi". Daily News. 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "Ashanthi and Chinthy sign up as KIT's new brand ambassadors". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ↑ "Art & Soul". Daily News. 2008-04-22. Retrieved 2008-09-12.