Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashaki Ward.
Ashaki, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my career as a dancer. At the age of six, I attended ballet school. I went on to attend the only performing arts grammar school in Chicago. Franklin Fine Arts Center. Where I studied dance and piano. I then went on to attend a performing arts high school, Lincoln Park. There, I majored in dance and studied music. When I graduated I was at the top of my class. I won the NAACP Act-So award as the top dancer in the city of Chicago. That catapulted my career and soon I was traveling all over the world and went on my first international tour in Europe with the (House Music group) Ten City and lived in Italy dancing. Soon after, I danced and sang in Oprah Winfrey’s one and only music video (Runn On) for her television show “Oprah.” I also got a chance to work with Kanye West on his first album “College Dropout” where I sang background and choreographed the music video Jesus walks. All while being in a singing group for six years. We wrote and sang all of our own music. That is where my singing and songwriting career began.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the first big struggles I had was leaving the singing group I had been in for six years. I had been a dancer for most of my career. Even though I studied music, dance was my strength. It came to a point where our lives were going in different directions and if I was going to continue to sing, I would have to do it on my own. So, I moved to New York and recorded my first album. I started out as a writer for Good Music on Sony records. I wrote songs for Kelly Rowland, Janet Jackson, and J-Lo and they didn’t take any of the records. So, I end up using the songs on my own album entitled “Something Special.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Ashaki, a Singer, songwriter, voice actress, actress and dancer choreographer. One of my biggest songs to date would be “Dream” it is one of my most beloved songs and it was featured in a movie called “Lucky Girl”. What I am most proud of is being an artist my entire life. Knowing what I wanted and going after it against all odds. Taking one gift and turning it into many. What sets me apart is being raised in Chicago. Being an artist from the age of six up until now. A Trail blazer that blazed a path for many artists after me at a time when there was no social media.
Any big plans?
I am excited to release my second single “ONE” off of my upcoming EP titled “Dream Soul” I got to work with an incredible designer by the name of Sarah Sokol Millinery for the music video. Who recently worked on Beyoncés Renaissance project. “ONE” will be released December 23rd. Available on all platforms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soashaki.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soashaki/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoAshaki
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/SoAshaki
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/soashaki?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Nc15jzqOaqfaJsMW9Yfg3?si=AzNwXBJXQ2ytD75RJqYLmw
Image Credits
London Summers
