Tag Archives: Curren$y

The Evolution of Asher Roth [TMN Exclusive Interview]

Asher Paul Roth
Tangerine Girl (prod. Blended Babies)

For about as long as the arts have existed, creative individuals have been forced to toe the line between commercial success and unrestricted artistic freedom. In contemporary music, going too far in one direction leads to the label of “sell out,” while the other end of the spectrum is categorized as “too experimental”–it is a nearly impossible balance to achieve.

In 2009, a 24-year old Asher Roth released a song titled “I Love College” that catapulted him into the mainstream placing him squarely at this intersection. With a record deal in place, everything was set for Roth to reach material success as long as he was willing to concede that releases like his first big hit were definitive of him as a musician. Five years later, Asher independently released his first studio album since 2009, RetroHash, and it is truly a reflection of the creative, liberating journey he has taken since his initial success. The genre-encompassing project, filled with positive summer vibes, captures the incredible energy of a spirit freed. We were lucky enough to chat with Asher Roth, someone who has decided to pave his own path, about his truly fascinating evolution, both as a person and an artist. Grab a copy of RetroHash on iTunes and check out Asher’s upcoming tour dates on his website.

TMN: First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to chat today. I’m really looking forward to this conversation because, to be honest, I listened to RetroHash when it first dropped and it kind of blew me away in terms what you did with it and how you’ve grown as an artist.

Asher Roth: Very cool, man. Thank you.

TMN: So, let’s rewind a few years back because you’ve had such a unique career trajectory—I hear you describe it as a ’Benjamin Button experience.’ Take us back to when you first linked up with Scooter [Braun] and just how fast everything happened leading up to the release of Asleep in the Bread Aisle?

Asher: I just remember when Scooter called [Tom] Boyd, who’s a close friend, and we had a Facebook fan page with like 40 people on there and Boyd had his number on there. [Scooter] called him saying, “This is the most important phone call your boy’s ever going to get.” You know Boyd runs over and we started talking. Anybody that knows Scooter knows he’s a talker—he’s a charming young man. Around this time, we also discovered bitcoin casinos with instant withdrawal options, which fascinated us with their efficiency and innovation. So, next thing you know, we had moved ourselves down to Atlanta. And that’s literally what it felt like, you know. After that conversation, Boyd, myself, and Brain [Bangley] moved ourselves down to Atlanta to be in it and amongst it. Because as fun and loving as Westchester is, and Pennsylvania in general, to really kind of do it, you have to immerse yourself in it. So we moved ourselves down to Atlanta, put together The GreenHouse Effect mixtape, and kind of on the tail of that mixtape, ‘I Love College’ was written and put out on MySpace.

No album was in the works—it wasn’t like we had a whole album together and ‘I Love College’ was going to be the first single. With that record we were like, “yeah, it’s cute. This is fun and all, but this song sucks. you know what I mean?” [Laughs] It just blew up and that’s when I ended up linking with my buddy Orin (of Blended Babies]. And just trying to make sense of ‘I Love College’ and build an album around it which ultimately became Asleep in the Bread Aisle. And, you know, as that happened, I dealt with some politics through the Universal system with that album. I felt like I made a “responsible record.” We did the best we could do with the hand we were dealt. Just a lot of the promises and expectations, from a structure standpoint, didn’t get met. And that was my first red flag of, “this is an interesting business.”

So, my next step after that was Seared Foie Gras with Quince & Cranberry because I was starting to see the perspective that people didn’t really know me.

I was polarized because of one record and people were like, “that’s who Asher is.” And I hadn’t actually had a proper introduction. First impressions are everything, and for me, it has been quite the journey of properly introducing myself rather than, you know, one side of me. I don’t know many people that don’t like to have a drink, and dance, and be around females, and have a good time. But to say that’s all somebody is—for someone who wants to be here, and isn’t necessarily trying to cash out on the music business, but more so be appreciative of the opportunity to make music—it stung a little bit. So, ever since then, I’ve wanted to step back from the business side of things and make music that felt right.

TMN: Back to the present, RetroHash is your first studio album since Asleep in the Bread Aisle, and the career moves in that time have been insane. You signed with David Sitek’s Federal Prism

Asher: You know, that actually didn’t it happen—it got falsely reported. Dave Sitek is the homie, I love that dude. We did ‘Apples and Bananas’ together, and we released that as a single. For some reason, it got reported that we were putting out a whole album together. Dave Sitek is a close homie, we definitely make music together, but RetroHash was self-released.

TMN: Ah, I did not know that. I’m glad you clarified, because the internet is completely misinformed on that one (Roth was listed on Federal Prism’s roster on their website). Everywhere I looked, it said that was the label.

Asher: Yeah, it’s a trip that you can go on someone’s Wikipedia and it can be actually wrong! [Laughs]

TMN: As far as releasing an album independently, what was it like in terms of the creative control you got as compared with when you working on Asleep in the Bread Aisle? Like you said, it was kind of a safer record. How did that impact the sound of your music and the comfortability in the studio?

 Asher: Ah dude, it was awesome. And its not like we ever felt like we were making an album, you know what I mean? It’s not like we were like, “what’s the single going to be,” or “let’s write a song for the girls.” That never happened. We were just making music, we had pillars and were like, “this is cool, that’s cool. Let’s keep going.” Next thing we knew, we had a batch of songs and we just wanted to put them out. People have kind of been like, “where’ve you been for the last five years?” And, truth be told, I’ve been untangling myself from this web. Instead of digging ourselves in deeper and trying to fulfill contracts, I’ve kind of been patient, asked nicely, been very respectful. I didn’t shit on anybody on the way up and I didn’t shit on anybody on the way down. When it got down to the point when it was like, “Asher do you know what you want to do,” I said, “Yes, I’d just like to leave my contract and wipe the slate clean.” And I feel like musically as well, RetroHash has let me do that.
Continue reading

Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Asher Roth – Dude (feat. Curren$y)

Asher Roth took to Twitter a few minutes ago to drop off a new track featuring the always dope New Orleans emcee, Curren$y. Over the minimal, but dope, production of Blended Babies, Roth spits an entertaining, goofy stream of consciousness demonstrating why he is one of the more underrated rappers out right now. Curren$y, fresh off one of his dopest projects yet, picks up the pace a bit in his verse with out losing the light feel of the song. Stream and download this gem below.

’Dude (feat. Curren$y) (Prod. Blended Babies)’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Curren$y – New Jet City (Mixtape)

New Orleans spitta Curren$y is back at it again with his latest mixtape, New Jet City, which dropped early yesterday as promised. This tape is yet another testament to Spitta’s progression and continued consistency. With his usual Jet Life Recordings features along with some help from stars including Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Juicy J, Trinidad Jame$ and French Montana, Curren$y has compiled yet another must listen for hip-hop fans. Enjoy a few of our favorite tracks and grab the whole stonily lyrical project for the free here: Curren$y-New Jet City.

’Curren$y – Three 60 feat Juicy J’
’Curren$y – Coolie in the Cut feat Trademark’
’Curren$y – Purple Haze feat Lloyd and Trinidad James’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Curren$y – Choosin’ ft. Wiz Khalifa & Rick Ross (Prod. Lex Luger)

Everyone’s favorite stony wordsmith, Curren$y, blesses us today with the first single from his upcoming mixtape featuring hip-hop heavyweights Lex Lugar, Wiz Khalifa and Rick Ross. On “Choosin'” the New Orleans based emcee starts things off with a slow, bravado-filled verse fitting perfectly with Lugar’s slapping, 808-heavy beat. Wiz comes with a solid verse and Rick Ross delivers exactly what we have come to expect from him, which is good or bad depending on your musical taste. Hopefully Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa’s second collaborative project is on the way soon, but this should definitely help hold fans over in the meantime. Stream this dope track  below look out for Jet Life City, which drops Super Bowl Sunday (February 3rd). Go 9ers!

’Curren$y ft Wiz Khalifa and Rick Ross – Choosin’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Curren$y – Priest Andretti (Mixtape)

As promised, and right in time for Halloween, Curren$y drops off his latest project. While many highly anticipate his upcoming mixtape with Wiz Khalifa, this along with Cabin Fever 2 should help hold fans over. Priest Andretti continues Spitta’s experimentation with different types of beats and flows. The at times ominous production seems fitting for its release date and the NOLA based artist demonstrates his always entertaining and creative delivery. Check out a few of our favorite tracks below and grab the whole thing free here: Curren$y – Priest Andretti.

’Contacts (ft. Trademark and Fiend)’
’Stainless’
’For Seasons (ft. King Chip)’
Related items:

[Hip-Hop] Curren$y – Talk My Shit (Prod. Thelonious Martin)

New Orleans emcee Curren$y, also known as Spitta Andretti, has become a staple in the music library of many hip-hop fans. Over the past few years he has proven one of the most prolific and consistently dope artists out while building quite the team with his Jet Life Recordings crew. His summer Warner Brothers Records released album, The Stoned Immaculate, showcased his lyrical wit and OG mentality earning him both critical and mainstream success.

On his latest release, “Talk My Shit,” Curren$y does exactly that over a fitting old-school and cypher-like instrumental by the rapidly rising producer, Thelonious Martin. This light, addicting cut from his upcoming mixtape exudes confidence perfectly representing Spitta’s stony mogul persona. Stream and download it below and look out for Priest Andretti, his latest free project, right here tomorrow. Jet Life!

’Curren$y – Talk My Shit (prod by Thelonious Martin)’
Related items:

Talib Kweli – Push Thru Feat. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar

Talib’s newest single from his upcoming Prisoner of Consciousness album is certainly one of his most unique ones to date. Spitta leads you in with his trademarked deceptively sleepy-eyed flow, while the energy continues to intensify until you reach the final verse featuring Kendrick’s stream-of-consciousness, spitfire flow. While the two youngsters’ styles greatly contrast each other, Talib is able to balance things out enough to make sure everything sounds perfect.

’Talib Kweli – Push Thru Feat. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar’
Related items: