The Audacity of Dope

While I don’t think this single is necessarily one of Asher’s stronger lyrical performances recently, I wonder if there are people out there that still don’t realize he can really rhyme.  If so, you must not have peeped the EP with Notttz, nor some of the random leaks from the past year.  I’m looking forward to Asher’s sophomore album solidifying his place in the game and erasing any thoughts that it was solely about “I Love College.”

Across all genres, there might not be an artist with more buzz right now than Asher Roth.  Sadly, it seems like most people, industry or not, are stuck on the smash single, “I Love College,” and the image that track represents.  In reality, Asher is much more than a one hit wonder responsible for the new frat boy anthem.  Instead, he’s a really dope MC, a thoughtful businessman, and an all around cool ass dude.

He took a minute from his busy schedule last week to call into Sound Session right before we all headed down to SXSW.  In the interview, we talked all about his upcoming Asleep In The Bread Aisle debut, the misrepresentation that “I Love College” brings, his producer and secret weapon, Oren Yorel, why being a white rapper is like being the Highlander, and much more.  Plus, we ran his new “Lark On My Go Kart” track and reminisced about everyone’s favorite Saved By The Bell moment.  You can check it out right here:

Asher Roth on Sound Session – http://www.mediafire.com/?yiw2fzdilyo
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/578401220336b51f/)

If you’re still hating on Asher, I hope you can peep Asleep In The Bread Aisle with a clear mind, because the music and talent are there in bunches.  Don’t get it twisted.

People have been clamoring for the US version of Cudi’s “Day N Nite” to drop for a minute and it couldn’t happen at a better time.  The UK version with the Crookers remix has him buzzing like crazy overseas, and last time I checked, he was at #53 on the Billboard Hot 100 stateside.  I played the record on the last SNSS and immediately got about 10 calls asking what it was.  Perhaps it’s not as much of a lock as Asher and “I Love College,” but Cudi is next up this year.

(^^ah…college)

As I sit here in disbelief watching this standoff between the LAPD and some dude who looks an awful like DJ Khaled driving a Bentley, I’m pretty shocked.  Granted, Khaled is the punchline of every hip-hop head’s jokes, but this obviously isn’t something you’d wish on anyone.  Wow.

In a completely unrelated matter, here’s the new video for Asher’s uber-smash-in-the-making, “I Love College.”  I heard this on the rock station here in Seattle when I was getting a haircut earlier tonight and the buzz is really starting to take off.  I give it one more month before it’s a certified hit and Asher’s a star.  And for the record, I like this song…plus dude is dope.  He’s working with a lot of talented people on his album too, so I think it should eliminate a lot of the Em-parisons.

Now…Khaled…get out of the car and end this peacefully….please.