Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

MC Asher Roth Readying Major-Label Debut

Comments

by Hillary Crosley, N.Y.  |   February 05, 2009 4:17 EST
New Universal rapper Asher Roth is putting the finishing touches on his debut album, tentatively titled "Asleep in the Bread Aisle" and due April 21.

Roth told media at a listening event Tuesday Feb. 3) that the project is still a work in progress, and that's awaiting features from Ludacris, Cee-Lo and possibly Lady Gaga for the tracks "Leo The Lion," "Be By Myself" and "She Don't Want A Man," respectively.
 
A Morristown, Pa., native, 21 year-old Roth signed with Universal in 2008 after his now-manager, Scooter, heard several songs on MySpace which Roth recorded while attending West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Scooter quickly invited the MC to Atlanta for business meetings and he landed on Universal shortly after.
 
Now, following numerous online song releases like upcoming first single "College" through hip-hop Web site like Onsmash.com and NahRight.com, Roth is aiming to release an album that will appeal to both college-age and adult fans.
 
On "Asleep in the Bread Aisle," known producers like Don Cannon contribute, but newcomer Oren Yoel crafted the bulk of the album's beats. His mixture of boom-bap drums and pop sensibility mixes well with Roth's happy-go-lucky and sincere rhymes. On cuts like the comical "Bad Day," Roth describes a plane trip to a wedding in New York, where he's stuck between a screaming baby and an over-sized seatmate.

And on "As I Em," which samples the theme from the TV show "Action Jackson," Roth, who is white, addresses comparisons to Eminem.

"He paved the way for me. Since we've got the same complexion and the same voice inflection its easy to make the comparison," he rhymes. "If you have no more questions and no more thoughts, I'd like to introduce you to Asher Roth."
 
Here is the track listing thus far for "Asleep In The Bread Aisle":
 
"Lark On My Go-Cart"
"Blunt Cruisin'"
"I Love College"
"Bad Day" ft. Jazze Pha
"Be By Myself" ft. Cee-Lo
"Sour Patch Kids"
"She Don't Want A Man"
"As I Em" ft. Chester French
"His Dream" ft. Miguel
"Ladida"
"Leo The Lion"
"Fallin"
"Nothing You Can't Do"

Up for Discussion

Post Comment

Sort By

More Features

All features

The Chart Game: Can you predict the hotness?

Get your recommended daily allowance of music news in one two-minute video dose.

Soundtrack of My Life

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.

open
close

CLICK PLAY TO RESUME