Ashanthi De Alwis
Ashanthi | |
|---|---|
 Ashanthi De Alwis in 2014. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Genres | Hip hop, crunk&B, folkhop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Sony Music, Universal Music, M Entertainments |
| Website | ashanthi |
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]- Oba Magemai (with Ranidu), Sony Music, 2002
- Sandawathuren, Universal Music, 2006
- Rock the World, Universal Music, 2013
- Daas Panawa, Universal Music, 2014
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Infinite Success". The Sunday Times. 19 November 2006. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- ^ a b "Ashanthi to perform in London, Goa and India". Daily News. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- ^ "Play that funky music". Mirror Magazine (The Sunday Times). Archived from the original on 15 October 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- ^ "Ashanthi and Ranidu". Sunday Observer. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2008.[dead link]
- ^ "It's all in a song". Morning Leader. 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 13 January 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- ^ a b "Ashanthi uncovered". Sri Lankan Daily Mirror. 29 November 2006. Archived from the original on 30 January 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Art & Soul". Daily News. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 26 April 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
External links
[edit]- Ashanthi's Official Website
- bnsmusic.com
- Sunday Leader article Archived 17 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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