The casual hip-hop listener or the complete hip-hop outsider has a vision in their head of what a rapper should look like. This vision usually involves the most thugged out cat you can find. In the early nineties, he was wearing timbs and army fatigues. Now he wears platinum jewelry and enough diamonds to keep the district in business. They picture the rapper pulling up to his gaudy mansion in a Rolls Royce or Bentley where they will enter a marble and gold decorated room where they will watch Scarface while enjoying a dip in the hot tub.

Like everything else, nothing lasts forever and things change. The elder statesmen in hip-hop like Jay-Z and Nas have gotten older and are now more likely to be seen with their R&B superstar wives wearing tailored suits that probably cost more than some people’s cars. Another rapper to change the outlook is Kanye West, one of the biggest stars in the game today with his Louis Vuitton obsession and fitted clothing. 

Lupe Fiasco came to national attention on a skateboard  and Andre 3000 has long been, well, let’s just call him an individualist in terms of his appearance. And we can’t forget about Eminem with his bleach blonde hair. The point is hip-hop is changing and giving people who may not fit a so-called mold a chance to display their abili ties which is a good thing because any rapper will tell you that it’s all about the skills and the talent.

In steps Asher Roth, a skinny white blonde kid who’s wardrobe looks like he picked it out of his hamper. He looks like a college senior not quite ready to step out into the real world, a rock and roll artist, a late 1990’s dot com entrepreneur, hell he even looks like he could be stoner with a black light and felt Led Zeppelin poster in his room. You would probably never guess that he is being heralded as the next best lyricist in hip-hop or that he spit for Jay-Z and got the big homey’s co-sign or that hip-hop heavyweight Steve Rifkind said that he was the best lyricist he’s heard in ten years.

The fact is all of those things are true. Not much about his career is conventional as his signing to a major label involved his dorm room and the ever so necessary marketing tool of the moment, Myspace. But there is a good chance that Asher Roth could very well in the near future be the new face of hip-hop. Solidifying his movement with a mixtape hosted by DJ Drama and Don Cannon as well as an upcoming album, it’s looking more like prophecy than pipe dream.

I was able to catch up with Asher for an interview and while he always keeps it short and sweet he always get his point across. We discussed his mixtape, which is hosted by two of the hottest DJ’s in the game, being considered one of the best new lyricists in hip-hop, and why people are usually surprised that he’s a dope MC.

First things first, can you tell us how you started rapping?

It was around the time I was in high school when I linked up with a couple friends who all shared a common interest in hip-hop. We used to get together at lunch during free periods and after school just to rhyme and battle each other and have fun, we called it the hip-hop workshop. I ended up recording a CD with my good friend Brian Sellers; we call him Footie, at around the age of 16. We recorded it in his basement on his PC using beats from mp3.com. We called it Ezia Sed Den Dun and burned it and sold it in school. Replacing our books with CDs we ended up selling 250 copies in 2 days. I was hooked from that point on, no question.
 
Steve Rifkind said you're the best lyricist he's heard in 10 years. Does that mean a lot coming from an industry vet like him?

Yes, it means a lot. Steve has done a lot for hip-hop and he’s an important dude in the game so I gotta be honored by that.
 
I know you get asked this all the time but it's a cool story. Can you give us the story on how you got signed

Scooter tells this story better than I do. Let’s do this; I'll just give key words, basement, college, Myspace, Scooter, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and Steve Rifkind.
 
What was it like rapping for Jay-Z in his office?

When your in the moment like that you’re kind of just going with it but looking back I'm like "dammmnn I had a huge stain on my shirt". After you rhyme for Jay you really just want him to hold you close and shed a single tear.
 
The Greenhouse Effect is making history but why out of all the DJ's besides the obvious reasons did you choose Drama and Cannon to host?

PA all day, that’s my hometown and on top of that they're good people. They’ve done a lot for the game I love what they do.

It's only been out for a few days but how is the response so far?

Not too much has changed but people suddenly want to interview me kind of like this situation here, not bad huh?
 
Are people usually surprised at what a good rapper you are?

I would definitely say yeah, more often than not.

You're a sick lyricist and I usually find that lyricists don't like a alot of the other music that's coming out. Is that the case with you?

I’m definitely a little disappointed with the assortment as of late, yes.
 
I'm sure people preconceive shit about you all the time given your look and everything. Does that make your job tougher?

Um yeah but only because people are stubborn and stuck in their ways but I assure you this, there's nothing like winning over a hater. Hi haters.

Where do you see yourself 5 years deep into the rap game?

I honestly just want to be making some dope ass music and being able to put on a dope ass live show, that’s what I want.

Who are some people that have influenced you musically?

I’ve been influenced by a lot of people musically. The Roots, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, ATCQ, Blackstar, Biggie, weird b trend?
 
So what can we expect to see from Asher Roth in the future?

I don't even really think I know yet at this point in time but I promise you some good honest music and a lot of fun.

Anything you'd like to say to your fans out there?

I just want to say that I'm nothing without you guys and I offer my unconditional love and appreciation for all the support. I got ya'll!