Award-winning singer Ashanti books Rochdale hair stylist for UK 20th anniversary tour

A multi-award-winning hair stylist from Rochdale has once again styled the hair of one of his celebrity idols, the award-winning singer Ashanti, on her UK tour this year.

Mohammed Ilmaas, who runs Hair by Ilmaas, styled Ashanti’s hair in 2020 and was called on once again for the entirety of her 20th anniversary tour which also featured special guests Aitch, Mario and Trey Songz.

 

Read more: Singer Ashanti has hair styled by award-winning Rochdale hair stylistPublished: 08 July 2020

 

Ilmaas says he used to dream about working with Ashanti, one of his favourite artists, famous for singles such as ‘Foolish’, ‘Rock wit U (Awww Baby)’ and ‘Only U’, which all broke the top 10 upon their release.

He first styled the star’s hair in February 2020, creating a variety of looks which she loved. The singer was highly impressed and wanted Ilmaas to style it again for her second show in Leeds 2020.

Ashanti loved the previous work of Ilmaas so much that she approached him directly for her 2022 UK tour.

Ilmaas said: “It was a huge pleasure to hear from Ashanti and her team and I was excited to take up another opportunity of styling Ashanti’s hair. She was extremely pleased with the looks I created.

“I was grateful to take up this opportunity to work alongside Geestar [promotions company] for the second time. Godrey, drector of Geestar, recommended myself to Ashanti and trusted me to style her hair with success.”

 

 

Ilmaas took huge pride in styling Ashanti’s hair, using bespoke pieces to create a range of looks from sleek to braided. He added: “I felt as if I was on top of the world styling my dream artist’s hair.”

Ashanti became the first female artist to occupy the top two positions on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time. With ‘Foolish’, which spent 32 weeks in the charts, she became the second artist after The Beatles to have their first three chart entries simultaneously in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

Her eponymous debut album, released in 2002, has been certified triple platinum in the United States, and has sold over 15 million records worldwide. The album earned her a Grammy in 2003 for Best Contemporary R&B Album, the first artist to win this award.

In April 2022, Ashanti received a star on Hollywood Walk Of Fame: earned for her multiple music awards and roles in television and film.

 

 

Ilmaas grew up styling his sisters’ hair from the age of 15, before becoming a mobile hairstylist. He opened his unisex hair salon, Hair by Ilmaas, on Whitworth Road, six years ago.

With over 12 years of experience in the industry, Ilmaas’ passion has led him to be an award-winning and published hairstylist, winning an Oracle Award three years running, as well as best hairstylist at the Fashion and Beauty Awards in 2018. He has also won the Best Hairstylist Award five times and worked as head stylist for many leading fashion shows.

His work with celebrities, fashion shows, models and campaign shoots, have also featured in popular magazines, including Elle and Vogue.