Ashanti hit the charts with “Foolish”

Foolish Ashanti

Writer(s): 7 Aurelius, Ashanti, M. DeBarge, E. Jordan, Irv Gotti (see lyrics here) Released: January 29, 2002 First Charted: January 19, 2002 Peak: 110 BB, 110 BA, 2 RR, 110 RB, 4 UK, 6 AU (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.65 UK, 7.2 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 0.4 radio, 223.3 video, 331.28 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: “Foolish” was Ashanti Douglas’ debut single as a lead artist. However, it was not the first chart appearance for this R&B singer/songwriter from Long Island, New York. When “Foolish” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of February 16, 2002, it was one of three songs credited or co-credited to Ashanti. That same week, she debuted as a featured artist on Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv?” and was one week away from topping the chart as a featured artist on Ja Rule’s 2001 “Always on Time.” For the week ending March 30, 2002, all three were in the top ten, making her the first artist with three simultaneous top-ten hits since the Beatles. She also had a co-writing credit on that week’s #1 song, “Ain’t It Funny,” by Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule. SF She proved herself quite capable as an artist on her own with “Foolish.” Its 10 weeks atop the pop and R&B charts made it one of the biggest hits of the decade. With 7.2 million in sales, it also ranks as the third best-selling physical single of the 21st century. WK The song featured a sample from DeBarge’s 1983 song “Stay with Me” and elements of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “One More Chance.” The basic message of the song is about trying to get over an ex, but struggling when her “heart and her mind force her to love him and hate him at the same time.” WK The video, set in the fashion of Martin Scorsese’s mob film, GoodFellas, nabbed MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Female Video, Best R&B Video, and Best New Artist. WK Producer Irv Gotti, who also got a co-writing credit on the song, directed the video. WK Resources: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Ashanti DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Ja Rule AMG All Music Guide SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia First posted 1/19/2013; last updated 2/20/2024.