At the launch of her very first international crossover album, she was dressed in her usual Ashanthi attire. The baggy t-shirt, tights, chunky bangles and naturally I expected her to break out in to a toe tapping, head bopping rap, but instead she decided to catch us off guard with her ... singing.

And can she sing! The queen of Sri Lankan Hip Hop captivated the audience with a track from her latest album - her voice feeling every emotion that was embedded in the lyrics of a song about a girl and love lost. This is a side of Ashanthi that most of us haven’t had the privilege of witnessing. This launch proved one thing - Rock the World is different.

This contemporary pop album was written and produced by Ashanthi herself, each melody and lyric is her own making. It has a distinctive urban sound, coupled with soulful R & B vocals inspiring you to hit the dance floor urgently.

The collection of songs features collaborations with not only local but also international artistes Reshmonu (Malaysia), and Benny Dayal (India).

“Contemporary pop music is sometimes underestimated when it comes from Asia. I want to change that mind set and prove to the world we are capable of producing a sound on par with any mainstream global act,” explains Ashanthi. This perseverance has been the driving force behind Rock the World making her the youngest and only female in the island to be signed to an internationally recognized record label: Universal Music.

Firmly believing in this endeavour is Mr. Devraj Sanyal the Managing director of Universal Music for the greater India region, who insists that the album is more meaningful than the commercial jargon that is produced today, in his words it’s “music that has heart”. So along with him, Mr. Pradeep Maharaja and her mother, Ashanthi unveiled her most ground breaking work as yet.

Supporting her in this ambitious step are a handful of established local artistes such as her ‘big brothers’ from the music industry Bathiya and Santhush, Umariya, Dinesh, and Randhir (her ‘brotha from anotha motha’) with whom she has a collaboration with on this CD.  “I wish her all the best. It’s a stepping stone for all of us...” gushed singer Umariya.

“Ashanti has got a brilliant voice. It’s a risk she’s taking, because Sri Lankan law regarding copyright is not very supportive. To international record labels it’s not an incentive. So little Ashanthi I’m really proud of her. I wish her nothing but the best,” friend and singer; Santhush Weeraman explains.

This singer, rapper, song writer, and producer has raised the bar of Sri Lankan music by being the first Sri Lankan artiste to release an English album worldwide with a major record label. She has successfully pursued a dream common to every local artiste. We really can’t help but agree with Mr. Pradeep Maharaja; Ashanthi, you really are the darling of Sri Lankan music.

For more pictures visit  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.470674412951403.110961.300826439936202&type=1

By Shazzana Hamid

Pics by Samantha Perera