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We’ll never forget Ashanti.

In 2002, she burst onto the scene with hit after hit after hit. Oh, you don’t remember? Let us remind you.

There was “Foolish” and then there was “Unfoolish.” Yes – Ashanti lost her mind, then got it together again, all on the same album. (But a perfectly-placed Biggie verse kept us from questioning her crazy).

She had a jones forming in her bones on “Baby,” and we’ll never forget the fact that somehow she was “Always On Time,” even though she wasn’t always there when we called.

The list goes on and on – “Rock Wit U,” “Rain On Me,” “Happy”… seriously, the girl was on fire! Not to mention songs like “Mesmerize” and “Down Ass Chick,” which Ja Rule  featured his rumored boo on, only to create instant hits.

Ashanti was the Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B, surrounded by Murder Inc’s heavyweights Ja Rule and Irv Gotti, and she took the music industry by storm. Let’s take a walk down memory lane:

First of all, we will never forget her stare of death. 

Then there was that famous two-step.

Wherever Ashanti went, it followed…

And followed…

And followed.

She won 8 Billboard Music Awards in 2002. Side note: Her album Ashanti also sold over 500,000 copies in its first week and broke the record for fastest selling Female Debut Album.

This was her crew… and they were gangsta as f*ck! (As far as musicians go…) 

Let’s back up because actually, when we think about it, Ashanti made a lot of memorable faces… There was the “I’m About To Curse You Out” face.

… What would later be called “Duck Lips.”

And that smirk that’s had the world in love for so many years.

You cannot discuss Ashanti without applauding her body – She was always stacked.

Sheesh!

Remember this pose? 

Unless she was performing, Ashanti always had a smile on her face. Now THAT’S a throwback!

Crazy smile, killer body, hit songs, gangster crew, nice style, and a two step… what more could we ask for?

Today, Ashanti is STILL a beautiful young woman doing her thing.

Just for fun, take a look at a few of our favorite throwback Ashanti videos below:

Foolish

Mesmerize

Baby

PHOTO CREDIT: Instagram, Getty, Wenn, Tumblr, Splash, AshantiDaily.com