"happy" is a song by american singer ashanti, recorded for her self-titled debut album (2002). the song was released as the album's second single on may 21, 2002. it was written by ashanti, chink santana, and irv gotti, with production overseen by santana and gotti. the song contains a sample of gap band's "outstanding" (1982) as written by raymond calhoun. it reached number eight on the us "billboard" hot 100 and number six on the "billboard" hot r&b/hip-hop songs chart. elsewhere, the single entered the top 10 in the netherlands, while reaching the top 20 in ireland, new zealand, and the united kingdom.