As we inch closer to learning the identity of the next American Idol, the Top 24 contestants head to Hawaii to sing their hearts out. For the first time this season, the artists’ fates now rest with the viewers, who can vote for their favorites using one of three methods. Additionally, Jelly Roll made his debut last week as the show’s first-ever artist-in-residence. This week, Grammy-winning artists Josh Groban and Ashanti will join the “Save Me” singer on the American Idol set, acting as mentors to the remaining contestants. And aside from her leadership role, Ashanti will also take the stage tonight (Sunday, April 13.)
Watch Ashanti Perform Two Old-School Classic On ‘American Idol’
In 2002, Ashanti got her start guest starring on a pair of well-known rap hits, including Ja Rule’s “Always On Time.” That collab peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time the New York-born artist, now 44, sent her debut single, “Foolish,” to the No. 2 spot. In doing so, she became the first female artist to occupy the chart’s top two slots at the same time.
During tonight’s episode of American Idol, Ashanti transported viewers back to 2002 with a soulful rendition of her first-ever hit, “Foolish.” She also performed “The Way That I Love You,” off 2008’s The Declaration, onstage at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii.
Since her 2002 debut, the “Rock Wit U” songstress has released six studio albums, the last of which, Braveheart, came in 2014. Debuting atop the Billboard 200, her self-titled debut album went triple platinum and scored a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. So needless to say, the “Baby” singer has plenty of wisdom to share with the Idol hopefuls.
“The talent is just through the roof, and they have a purpose,” she told Ryan Seacrest. “I’m just so happy and so proud of all of them.”
[RELATED: ‘American Idol’ Stars Thunderstorm Artis and Drew Ryn Wow in Head-to-Head Showdown]
Ashanti Teases New Music
While it’s been more than a decade since Ashanti released new music, the American Idol mentor is teasing a comeback single that drops later this month.
First teasing “Call You Up” a year ago, the “Rain On Me” singer will finally release the music video, shot in Bermuda, sometime in April. “It’s amazing and I can’t wait for you guys to see it,” she told the Idol crowd.
Featured image by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images
