UNIVERSAL MUSIC RELEASES ASHANTHI’S FIRST INTERNATIONALCROSSOVER ALBUM‘ROCK THE WORLD’ IN INDIA
QUEEN OF SRI LANKAN HIP-HOP MAKES HER FORAY ONTO AN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM
Mumbai, Universal Music India today announced the launch of Ashanthi’s first international crossover album ‘Rock the World’ in India. The ‘Queen of Sri Lankan Hip Hop’, Ashanthi is the youngest and only female from Sri Lanka to be signed on by an internationally recognized record label, Universal Music.
The album recently received a huge response when she performed at the Colombo Music Festival in Sri Lanka last week. Her sound is fresh and unique and the album has songs varying across genres, from dance, pop, r’n’b, rock, ballads to blues. Moreover, one of the songs on the album ‘Let’s give Peace a Chance’ was chosen as the official song for the De Paix Yatra project, an initiative launched to promote World Peace. The project involves a motorbike journey across 8 nations covering 56 cities by two young Indian boys, in a bid to spread the message of peace and unity engaging celebrities, diplomats, ex-presidents, sports personalities, youth icons and political leaders along the way. The single was launched in India last month.
Speaking on launching the singer in India, Devraj Sanyal, MD-Universal Music India & SAARC, said, “For Universal Music India & SAARC, Sri Lanka is a very key market. A small market albeit but a significant market from the music point of view. A country of 20 million with a growing music appetite is exactly our focus in our neighbouring countries. Ashanthi is such an artiste with an international sound & a voice which is a gift from God. Her album rock the world is an incredible statement that you can create a global album no matter where you come from. UMGI Greater India & M-Entertainment from Sri Lanka will support this to the hilt and we expect this to make waves in the music community both here & overseas.”
Ashanthi is hugely popular in Sri Lanka and her last three albums have become best-sellers within an impressively short span of time. Not satisfied with just conquering home ground, Ashanthi has spread her wings and the songstress is now set to stir up a storm in new markets – India, UK and Malaysia.
Commenting on the new album Ashanthi said, “Creating the album has been a journey for me. It expresses who I am as a musician and artiste. All of the songs are written and composed by me and they express my creative thoughts in every way. I am so glad to partner with Universal on this album and take the Asian music scene to the global arena. All the songs on the album are a melting pot of music styles that showcases my diversity as an artiste and I am definitely ready to ‘Rock The World’ with this release.”
The list of accolades to the young stars name is extensive as is her fan following. Having performed at international venues across the globe like the Sydney Opera House, the O2 in London and even the Cannes Film Festival in France, Ashanthi has created an identity for herself in the music industry.
Compared to Artistes like Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Pink, Ashanthi breaks the barriers of contemprary music with her unique vocals and performance style. Her influences in music range from Boys to Men, Brian Mc Knight, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Maroon 5.
Tracklist
1. Rock the world
2. Letting your love
3. All over you
4. Kiss of death
5. Turn me on
6. Walk in the park
7. Going Down
8. Give peace a chance (Hindi) – Ashanthi feat. Benny Dayal
9. Give peace a chance – Ashanthi feat. Benny Dayal
