Ashanthi

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Ashanthi

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Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Origin = Colombo, Sri Lanka
Genre = Sri Lankan Music, R&B, Hip hop
Years_active = 2003-Present
Label = Sony Music, Universal Music,M Entertainment
Associated_acts = Bathiya and Santhush, Randhir Witana
URL = [http://www.ashanthi.com/index.php] "

Ashanthi de Alwis is a female Sri Lankan music artist. She is the only Sri Lankan female R&B / hip-hop artist to be signed to an international record label, Universal Records in 2003 and Sony Entertainment in 2006.cite web |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/061119/Mirror/mr605.html |title=Infinite Success |accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2006-11-19 |work=The Sunday Times online |publisher=] cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2006/10/28/fea21.asp |title=Ashanthi to perform in London, Goa and India |accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= |work=Daily News online |publisher=] [cite web |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/060319/mirror/1.html |title=Play that funky music
accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= |work=Mirror Magazine (The Sunday Times) |publisher=] 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. [cite web |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2003/01/12/mag02.html |title= Ashanthi and Ranidu
accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2003-01-12 |work=Sunday Observer |publisher=] Her debut solo album "Sandawathuren" was released in 2006. [cite web |url=http://www.themorningleader.lk/20061025/Travel.html |title=It’s all in a song|accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2006-10-25 |work=Morning Leader |publisher=] cite web |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/inside/entert/29112006.asp |title=Ashanthi uncovered |accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2006-11-29 |work= Sri Lankan Daily Mirror|publisher=] This was the first R&B hip hop, solo album to be released by a Sri Lankan woman. 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.
Ashanthi has toured internationally in countries throughout Europe, North America, Australasia and Asia. [cite web |url= http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/03/10/fea20.asp|title=In a sense I am a solo artist - Ashanthi |accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2007-03-10 |work=Daily News |publisher=] In 2006 Dialog Telekom, Sri Lanka's flagship telecommunications company signed up Ashanthi to be a brand ambassador for their pre-paid brand KIT. [cite web |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2006/10/15/mag03.asp |title=Ashanthi and Chinthy sign up as KIT's new brand ambassadors |accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date= |work=Sunday Observer |publisher=]
At the 2008 Derana Music Video Awards, Ashanthi won the award for 'Best Hip Hop Video' for "Alawanthiyak" [cite web |url= http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/04/22/fea10.asp|title=Art & Soul |accessdate=2008-09-12 |last= |first= |coauthors= |date=2008-04-22 |work=Daily News |publisher=]

Discography

Albums

*"Oba Magemai" (with Ranidu), Universal, 2003
*"Sandawathuren" Sony Entertainment, 2006

References

External links

* [http://www.ashanthi.com/index.php Ashanthi's Official Website]
* [http://www.bnsmusic.com/newsAshanthiDebutAlbum.php bnsmusic.com]
* [http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20061203/IMAGES/now/center%20page.pdf Sunday Leader article]