Hollywood Walk of Fame Star: Ashanti Confirms The Re-Release Of Debut Album During Acceptance Speech
R&B artist Ashanti has officially received her Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor her groundbreaking career of chart-topping songs and eight Grammy nominations.
Ashanti was joined by Ja Rule, her longtime collaborator, and friend and actress Tichinia Arnold during the ceremony on Thursday morning (Apr. 7).
Reflecting on the trials and tribulations throughout her career, Ashanti took a moment to thank her fans during her acceptance speech, according to WFMZ.
“Through the good times, the bad times where it means the most. I am so grateful for our incredible, unbreakable bond,” she said. “It just means so much, we’ve been through so many dark moments, so to be here today celebrating life together as a family and as a unit, I’m so grateful.”
Her historic Hollywood Walk of Fame accomplishment comes 20 years after the release of her self-titled debut studio album that topped the Billboard 200 at No.1.
“It’s still hitting me and I’m still stunned,” the 41-year-old continued during her speech. “This is proof to everyone out there that dreams really do come true.”
Ashanti also shared that she will be re-recording her debut LP after reclaiming ownership of her masters.
“I have an amazing legal team. I was first signed to a record label at the age of 14. Seeing how things have changed so much from then to now; conceptually understanding what you are signing is so important,” she said. “The fact that I’ll be able to re-record my album and put everything together is such a blessing, I am grateful. The fact that we are still here and living through a pandemic and these blessings are still coming in makes me so humbled."
Ashanti has climbed to monumental success since the beginning of career in 2002. The artist has released five additional studio albums, a Grammy award, two American Music Awards, six ASCAP Awards, and was awarded the 2021 Lady of Soul at BET’s Soul Train Awards, among other accolades.
Watch Ashanti’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony below:
