Asanté (which means "thank you" in the language of Swahili) was born Asanté Deshon Parker, in the south side of Chicago, to Wendy and Derrick Parker, both former creatives. Parker first showcased his acting capabilities at the age of three when his parents placed him in his school's Christmas production. Playing a minute role as one of the twelve mice, he believed he indeed caught his love for acting at that very moment. Growing up in the south of South of Chicago wasn't ideally the safest part of town, however, his parents made sure he was not stirred by his environments during his up bringing. Parker's parents tossed both him and his little sister Shanté into every extra curricular activity they could think of but nothing stood like his passion to bring joy to others. With his love for comedy, drive for vocals and adoration to entertain others, his parents knew their son had something special. Show less «