Asher Roth - A Milli Freestyle
Ahhh, Asher Roth. The rapper you love to hate, or hate to love. Like it or not, this guy has been everywhere as of late. Signing to Steve Rifkind's SRC Records with the likes of Akon, The Wu-Tang Clan and Pharaohe Monch, the impact homey is destined to make is huge. His skills stand alone, and on his latest mixtape with DJ Drama and Don Cannon, it is so very clear. Jay-Z thinks he's hot shit, Andre 3000 is down with the cause, and his next stop is right here on illRoots.illRoots: What's going on Asher? How are you man?
Asher Roth: I'm doing well homie - feeling blessed.
iR: What've you been up to recently?
AR: Making music, playing Mario Kart and picking up pennies with theirheads up. I've found like, six lately. Good luck! Woo!!
iR: [Laughs] So, how has the response of your latest mixtape, The Greenhouse Effect, with DJ Drama & Don Cannon been?
AR: People have been very receptive. Some are calling it a breathe of fresh air. I decided to welcome people into my world and thought process with the mixtape, and I think people appreciate that.
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iR: I just saw the video for Roth Boys. I peeped your helmet game, I take it your a big supporter of "safety first"?
AR: [Laughs] Always. Helmets and SPF!
iR: Can you pass me some numbers of the ladies in the video?
AR: Sure, which one caught your eye?
iR: We can talk about that later on. Are you a Ric Flair fan?
AR: Ric Flair was that dude, but I can't say he was my favorite. Hacksaw Jim Duggan was dope and I always found myself rooting for the Texas Tornado and the British Bulldog.
iR: I can dig that. What's your response to John Brown's claim that you "jacked his style"?
AR: I don't even know what that means.
iR: Fair enough. Tell us about your history growing up. When were you first introduced to hip-hop and who were some of your favorite artists as a kid?AR: I grew up in middle-class Pennsylvania. Morrisville to be exact. Played baseball and tennis and went swimming and dominated handball at the Morrisville Community Pool. I wasn't introduced to hip-hop for real-for real 'till about 98'. I had heard songs and all but I was a little too young for it to really make an impression. I was raised on Bruce Springsteen and Dire Straits. The first tape I bought was Billy Joel and the first CD I bought was Dave Matthews Band. I know right! But then puberty hit and I got into my slightly rebellious stage, picked up on hip-hop and never looked back. Jay-Z's Vol. 2 was one of the first rap CD's I bought. That goes to show how late I got into it.
iR: If you could work with anyone, of any time period on one track, who would you choose and what kind of song would it be?
AR: Whoa, so many options. I totally wish I was featured on the newest New Kids on the Block song, Summertime.
Asher Roth - Roth Boys
iR: [Laughs]
AR: Kid's got jokes don't he?
iR: Since being in the rap game, who was the coolest person to meet?
AR: Everyones been cool as fahk. But Andre 3000 really made an impression on me and gave me some great advice.
iR: What was the best piece of advice you've received?
AR: Be your own fingerprint, it's all you have.
iR: What was going through your head right before you met with Steve Rifkind?
AR: This dude is about to smack the shit outta me.
Akon Meets Asher Roth.
iR: [Laughs] When can we expect Asher Roth to hop on the auto-tune?
AR: [Laughs] No, but you can expect my roommates to be all over that shit. You should hear my man's rendition of Sexual Eruption.
iR: I noticed a lot of Eminem comparisons on blogs and websites. How do you feel about that?
AR: I mean the comparison is pretty flattering, dude is one of the dopest that ever did it. But really, the comparison is only natural. People are gonna compare something new to something they've previously experienced, and you can count the amount of white rappers that made an impact on one hand. I don't see the comparison as necessarily a bad thing, but as times goes on people will begin to realize we're too totally different artists who just happen to fall under the same genre.
iR: Ain't that the truth. How does it feel to be labeled as a "gimmick"?
AR: It's whatever, good music will shine through and I'll be riding my bike with my helmet on while all those "gimmick" people are jumping on the bandwagon.
iR: How would you describe your style in one word?
AR: Woooooo! Self explanatory.
iR: That's the same word I was thinking. Are you planning an album anytime soon? Who are you looking to produce or feature on it?AR: [The] album is in the works, and if I could I'd put the world on that shit 'cause theres nothing like musical unity. But apparently my label and management say ima superstar or something? I dunno. So it looks like the album is gonna be mostly me with a couple appearances from some beautiful human beings. My man Oren Yoel is all over the production tip, dude is a beast. Novel, the most talented man on the planet, stops in and shows some love. My big homie Chuck Inglish [of The Cool Kids] and I accomplished things you never thought were possible.
iR: Damn, sounds dope. Definitely looking forward to that. Thanks a lot for your time, any last words for the illRoots readers?
AR: Just thank you all so much for the love and support. I'm nothing without yall!
iR: Do you have any shoutouts?
AR: Hi Mom, Aloha Dad, What up AJ, Tess, Brain, and Blowpops.
