There are three things Asher Roth loves: college, drinking and women. If you didn’t know that by now, then you probably will soon. “I Love College” is Roth’s post-adolescent anthem that is making its way onto radio and no doubt party playlists.
Even before making his mix tape debut in 2008 with “The Greenhouse Project” that features a remix of Lil Wayne’s “A Milli,” Roth has been making a name for himself.
Growing up in Morrisville, Pa., Roth began rapping during high school and used social networking sites to create a fan base.
While a student at West Chester University studying elementary education, Roth was discovered by Scooter Braun, his current manager. He recently moved to Atlanta to begin recording “Asleep in the Bread Aisle” (Schoolboy/Universal Motown Records) available on April 20.
Roth is predictably drawing comparisons to Eminem for being a white rapper, but he is stylistically different. “I write about what I feel, see, live” says Roth on “The Lounge.”That happens to be life in the middle class.
While rap music has its roots in communicating the injustices of the streets, Roth’s injustices deal more with what he sees on CNN. He said “self-centered humans be the root of all evil.”
His confidence borders on cocky, though at times his verbal eloquence does deserve applause. Roth runs the risk of being a one-hit wonder.
With a single so potent to capture the attention of college kids everywhere in only one play, Roth could be stuck still holding a red plastic cup long after the party has ended and his listeners have real jobs.
Time can only tell if Roth is an actual artist or a guy with a gimmick.
Download: “The Lounge,” a song that asks what makes a rapper.