Ashanthi De Alwis

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Ashanthi
Ashanthi De Alwis in 2014.
Ashanthi De Alwis in 2014.
Background information
BornColombo, Sri Lanka
GenresHip hop, crunk&B, folkhop
Occupation(s)Rapper, singer, songwriter
Years active2002–present
LabelsSony Music, Universal Music, M Entertainments
Websiteashanthi.com

Ashanthi De Alwis (Sinhala:අශාන්ති ද අල්විස්), known simply as Ashanthi, is a Sri Lankan rapper, singer and songwriter. She is the only Sri Lankan female rapper who signed with international record labels Sony Music and Universal Music in 2006.[1][2][3] She began her career as a rapper with BnS, and continued that role after achieving solo success.

Career[edit]

Ashanthi's first major label album was as half of the duo Ashanthi n' Ranidu, with the album Oba Magemai released in 2002 through M Entertainments.[4] Her debut solo album Sandawathuren was released in 2006.[5][6] This was the first hip hop solo album to be released by a Sri Lankan female.[1] Her general style of music is ethnic hip hop with massive market appeal. Sandawathuren was sung in Sinhala, 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 2008, Dialog signed up Ashanthi to be a brand ambassador for their pre-paid brand KIT.[8]

At the 2013 Derana Music Video Awards, Ashanthi won the award for 'Best Hip Hop Video' for Alawanthiyak.[9] She also recorded the 11th anniversary jingles for Y FM, Sri Lanka in November 2016. From 2020 onwards she joined the widely popular The Voice teens (Sri Lanka) as a coach.

2013–present: "Rock the World" and international recognition[edit]

Ashanthi released her first English Language Album 'Rock the World' in August 2013, aiming for an international market. The lead single off the album was 'Let's Give Peace a Chance', which was also recorded in Sinhala with additional vocals by Benny Dayal.

Television Shows[edit]

Year Title Channel Language Role
2020 The Voice Teens Sri Lanka(Season 1) Sirasa TV Sinhala Coach - Herself
2023 Derana Dream Star(Season 11) TV Derana Sinhala Judge - Herself

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Infinite Success". The Sunday Times. 19 November 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Ashanthi to perform in London, Goa and India". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  3. ^ "Play that funky music". Mirror Magazine (The Sunday Times). Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  4. ^ "Ashanthi and Ranidu". Sunday Observer. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2008. [dead link]
  5. ^ "It's all in a song". Morning Leader. 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 13 January 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  6. ^ a b "Ashanthi uncovered". Sri Lankan Daily Mirror. 29 November 2006. Archived from the original on 30 January 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  7. ^ "In a sense I am a solo artist – Ashanthi". Daily News. 10 March 2007. Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  8. ^ "Ashanthi and Chinthy sign up as KIT's new brand ambassadors". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  9. ^ "Art & Soul". Daily News. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 April 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2013.

External links[edit]

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