Ashanti Douglas, 1980-

Ashanti Douglas is the new Princess of Hip Hop and R&B. Ashanti has just released a self titled album in this year 2002. She has sung songs with the likes of Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez.

The Inc.’s hip-hop/R&B princess Ashanti is about to make her big screen debut in the movie Coach Carter. Ashanti will be given the opportunity to show off her acting chops alongside Samuel L. Jackson, who stars in the movie as Richmond, California High School basketball coach Ken Carter.

The film is based on the man known as "Coach Carter," who the media made famous in ’99 when he benched his entire undefeated basketball team for their lousy grades. The team had to forfeit two league games while being collectively banned from using the school’s gym until they improved their academic performance.

Ashanti will get her first crack at the supporting actress role as Kyra, the girlfriend of one of the dunce basketball players (played by Rob Brown of Finding Forrester fame). As the boyfriend deals with his future and a possible college career, Ashanti’s character struggles as his knocked-up arm candy.

With her first movie gig, Ashanti will be given the opportunity to break away from her small screen appearances on shows such Punk’d, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and American Dreams, the latter of which she embodied soulful songstress Dionne Warwick during 2002’s Christmas episode.

Keeping with the Yuletide theme, Ashanti just recently put out the less-than-spectacular Christmas album, Ashanti’s Christmas, which was preceded by her more successful second full-length solo album, Chapter II. The album has just afforded Ashanti a nod from the Grammy Awards committee, with nominations for Best Female R&B Vocals on the song "Rain on Me," Best R&B Song for "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" and Best Contemporary R&B Album.