A hush fell over the gathering as they listened with rapt attention, letting the waves of music wash over them. Ashanthi de Alwis was doing what she does best – singing and mesmerizing her audience. The event marked the passing of yet another milestone in her music career as Ashanthi launched her first international crossover [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Ashanthi ready to rock the world with new album

By Shalomi Daniel
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A hush fell over the gathering as they listened with rapt attention, letting the waves of music wash over them.
Ashanthi de Alwis was doing what she does best – singing and mesmerizing her audience. The event marked the passing of yet another milestone in her music career as Ashanthi launched her first international crossover album in English titled ‘Rock the world’ on August 24 at Water’s Edge Hotel.

Ashanthi at the launch of the album. Pic by Athula Devapriya

“I am very excited about this,” said Ashanthi, adding that every piece of music on the album is something she can relate to, as it comes straight from her heart.

Aptly named the ‘Queen of Sri Lankan Hip Hop music’, Ashanthi is the youngest and only female in Sri Lanka to be signed up by an internationally recognized record label, Universal Music. She is also the first Sri Lankan to release an English album worldwide with this major label.

Ashanthi uses music which is often considered a universal language to spread her own message of peace as is evident from the single ‘Let’s give peace a chance’ which is included in her new album. This single which also features international artist Benny Dayal has been chosen as the official theme song for the De Paix Yatra project — a motorcycle journey covering eight nations, from India to the United Kingdom– while spreading the message of peace.

“This song is close to my heart,” said Ashanthi. The single includes Sinhala, Tamil and Hindi lyrics.
The album also features collaborations with international artists including Reshmonu (Malaysia) and Sri Lankan rapper Randhir.

The talent Ashanthi possesses is evident by the fact that the entire album has been written and produced by her at her recording studio – Ethno Entertainment Studio. Though this required long hours and a lot of hard work, for Ashanthi, it was worthwhile and she says she enjoyed every minute of it.

She is keen to show the world that as Asians we may not be outdone when it comes to contemporary pop music and that we have much to offer the international music industry. From the Sydney Opera House in Australia to the Cannes Film Festival in France, Ashanthi’s performances have brought Sri Lanka fame and captivated fans worldwide.

The numerous awards Ashanthi has won both nationally and internationally include Bite My Music Global Awards — Best Pop Act (Gold); IndieGo Music Awards Asia — Best Female Singer (Gold), Best Pop Act of Asia (Silver)and Best Hip Hop Act of Asia (Silver); Honorary Award for Most Creative and Innovative Act (2011); and Best Baila Music Video of the Year for ‘Papare’ Derana Music Video Awards, Sri Lanka (2011).




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