Today in R&B History | Ashanti Released Her Debut Album 'Ashanti'

19 years ago this week, Murda Inc. gifted a most precious offering to the worlds of hip-hop and R&B in the form of Ashanti's self titled debut album.

The R&B classic album debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and achieved a Guiness world record, the album 'Ashanti' sold 504,593 copies in the first week... insane!

Whether it’s “Foolish” that still strikes a chord in your heart, or “Unfoolish” that embodies your taste for rap and blues, the singer's countless hits were built to stand the test of time.

Ashanti's self-titled debut album was a huge hit, thanks largely to the song 'Foolish', on which she pledged loyalty to a man who didn't deserve it: "I Keep on running back to you."

The song was released as the album's lead single on January 29, 2002. It spent ten weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

'Happy' was released as the album's second single on May 21, 2002. It reached number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

'Baby' was released as the album's third and final single on November 17, 2002 (see 2002 in music). "Baby" reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Songs charts.