As Hip Hop gradually embraced its commercial success over the years, so too did dozens of emcees and producers looking to make the next big radio hit and enjoy an early retirement. In 2009, Asher Roth did just that when his hit single “I Love College” dominated the airwaves, peaking at 12 on the Billboard “Hot 100.”
But as time passed, Hip Hop’s gangliest emcee distanced himself from the successful party anthem, growing his hair out and hiding from the spotlight cast upon him. As it turns out, not all of today’s artists have placed fame and fortune over their love of music after all.
Five years, two mixtapes, one EP and one nasty fight with a record label—followed by an open letter to his fans—have all been part of the dramatic buildup to Asher Roth’s sophomore album RetroHash. The new project, a 10-track combination of soul-tinged Jazz with borderline hippie tendencies, often forgoes bars similar to those found in previous mixtapes like Pabst & Jazz, yet displays a high level of lyricism when Roth does decide to rap. Though RetroHash is liberal with its creativity, Roth seems to realize he only has one true shot at redemption, and in turn has put forth another impressive effort to reshape his image that will undoubtedly cause some to question why he is so often overlooked.
“‘Cause the cash rules everything around me / So, every now and then, feeling like I’m out of town / Got to chill, sit down, remember how to be a child / Wide eyes with a smile,” rhymes Roth with a coffee-shop-smooth flow on the album’s opening track, “Parties at the Disco,” which features songstress ZZ Ward. Less of a party and more of a blunt ride with insightful Bay Area wordsmith Gift of Gab, the track prepares the listener to wrap their head around the idea that Roth has indeed slowed down; he even goes one step further by assisting Blended Babies—the album’s beat-making duo and longtime Roth collaborators—with the track’s production. And he’s only getting started.
“Cut my hair in two years / Drink beer, get weird / Get clear advice when my friends tell me get real,” raps Roth, his flow shifting from the laidback style of the previous track to a tongue-twisting rhyme scheme presented in a far darker tone. With the help of Curren$y, Roth teases the listener with his complex delivery before diving back into the mellow, yet upbeat vibe of the album’s third track and first single, “Tangerine Girl,” which offers up a careful mix of catchy lyrics and surprisingly on-point vocals.
“Tangerine Girl” is the closest Roth gets to a radio ready single, lacing the beat with a mix of vocals and rhymes that fall short of impressive on either end, yet are memorable enough to entice listeners to put the song on repeat. By slightly straying from rapping, Roth has found a happy medium that suits him well; it may also better prepare him for further mainstream success.
“Pull It” is much the same as it’s predecessor, veering away from what could be a surprise Reggae offering to reveal a well-crafted beat that allows Roth to swerve in and out of rapping and doing his best crooning Justin Timberlake impression.
While RetroHash seems focused on Roth’s reinvention, something that may disappoint those who enjoyed the more familiar lyric-heavy style he displayed on mixtapes like The Greenhouse Effect vol. 2, it may better suit the now-introspective rapper, whose reserved take on his former allegro-style rhyming has been replaced with thoughtful lines that seem to hit at the perfect time. His longtime fans will find solace in tracks like “Last of the Flohicans” and “Be Right”—both featuring Major Myjah and both a far cry from Roth’s second most successful single, “Lark On My Go-Kart”—but many of his loyal followers will be left searching for the raw flow Roth exhibited on prior projects. Less of a happy medium and more of a hard reset, RetroHash is the beginning of what may shape up to be the rebirth of Roth’s career.
RELATED: Asher Roth “RetroHash” Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & Album Stream
the music isn’t bad but i just can’t take him seriously with that haircut
You should peep Murs then… Then asher’s hair will seem normal haha
do you listen to music with your eyes?
@ Train – Murs cut the dreads off. He’s rocking the regular ass fade now.
This album is dope I just got it off I tunes don’t sleep on asher he never disapoints
he may be white and corny but dude makes great music and if you think about it his actual realer than all these fake black coke kingpin rappers your made to think are cool !!!!!!
It’s alright. It’s hippie music at best, but he has matured in terms of content. 3/5
Rozay, you actually keeping comment’s relative to the post now!? Why aren’t you derailing this topic!!!?
A contemporary classic. Pays homage to earlier hip hop as well as hippie-hop not too far removed from the days of Arrested Development. An all around positive listening experience ripe with fresh and tantalizing dusty pop riffs and moody, drafty sampling. The album is confident in itself and displays Roth’s ability to rap as well as create modern culture music. A truly unique and inspired 10 tracks that fit so well together its hard to imagine one of them missing, yet is cohesive enough to play through beginning at any point. A more radio-ready minded sequel to Pabst and Jazz that shows the rappers true spirit and ability to set the tone. A peaceful and melodic tone full of positive vibes. The ten songs arrangement pays tribute to the LP days of psychadelic rock records. Even the album art fits brilliantly with that mood.
Asher, is that you?
personally thought this was pretty dop
*dope
Great album. If you don’t agree,you probably don’t like good music. Don’t worry,there are plenty of wack ass rappers out there right now, rapping about guns, money, and false hope. We’ll let the ignorant hip hop fans praise their false idols, while the people who appreciate real music, sit back and enjoy the gift that Asher has delivered us. Congrats Ash. It’s a banger!!!
I like this one and pabst and jazz the best.
meh, still corny
this review so much better
http://thehiphopbassment.blogspot.com/2014/04/asher-roth-retrohash-review.html
def. gotta give it a listen
hes white so its trash
You are an idiot.
I was really hoping to hear some bars from him. Not a bad album, its a good listen but I was hoping for some more “Lark On My Go Kart” type shit
Lol DX are the MAIN ones that hate on Asher Roth. Acting like they don’t know why “the media” does it.
this review is so much more accurate http://thehiphopbassment.blogspot.com/2014/04/asher-roth-retrohash-review.html
Wish he raped more but he still displays tremendous talwnt
I wish he would GET raped more.
HONEST REVIEW, I THINK.
Let me tell you this the only street nigga is Gucci Mane:
* Jay-Z rapping since he was 15 years in the group High Potent. So when did he sold drugs? Between 10 and 15 years? Nobody in Brooklyn can confirm his crime stories. Did this nigga Jay not called the LAPD the get his masters back?
* Drake i’m not gonna discuss this faggot.
* Ice Cube was 14/15 years old when he was in the group C.I.A. Same story Lying-Z.
* Nas Escobar stole his name from druglord Pablo Escobar but the only thing Nas Escobar ever sold in his life are records.
* Dr. Dre the nigga who never make beats but uses ghostproducers. (Sam Sneed, Daz, warren G, Cold187um, The Glove, Mell Man etc.) Dr. Dre is as gangsta as there are ghosts. NOT!
* 50 Cent sold drugs but on a small level. End of the crime stories. After that he snitched on Murda INC to get a restraining order. FACTS!
* The Shame oops i mean The Game a former male stripper and now a attention whore. His own brother said that The Shame is a phony. So who do you you believe?
* Flopp Deep oops i mean Mobb Deep some former arts of school studenst and balerina’s. Nobody in Queens can confirm there crime stories.
* Young Jeezy already exposed by Pimp C as a phony. FACTS!
* T.I. he snithed to the feds. Illegal weapons charge thats 10/15 years jail. Come on.
* Lil Wayne i aint gonna discuss this faggot.
The list goes on……. they all OSG Original Studio Gangstas
but NOT Gucci straight up FACTS about selling dope, killing and beating people.
“Retrohash” , where do I begin ? Well first off I will say that I love the whole thing top to bottom. From Parties at the Disco to Keep Smoking I feel what he is saying in every song. SO DOPE! And “Be Right” holy cow that shit is awesome. Also other standouts and “Last of the Flohicans” and “Something For Nothing”. Asher you did good sir! Fast Life is a very inspirational video man, congrats. Keep on rocking in the free world soldier. peace and love to all. RETROHASH on that ass!
This review is way more accurate:
http://thehiphopbassment.blogspot.com/2014/04/asher-roth-retrohash-review.html
This album is awesome!!!!!
Killer
Pretty bad
Very good album. But, its more of a mellow type album. If you want to chill, & not hear a bunch of loud 808’s in the background, this is definitely a good pick up. I like the fact, Asher has his own lane & stay in it.
So fresh and good from Asher. I fuck with it.
Awesome album
this dude blows dick
Wow, wish more rappers had his creativity…..and confidence to make this kind of honest music.
This is the best overall project that Asher Roth has ever been a part of.
It may not be what you expect out of Asher but it is a refreshing and new spin on music from him. Gotta appreciate that. I also like the Hype-Ctrl review: http://hype-ctrl.com/asher-roths-retrohash/
Nothing revolutionary, but this is a solid project. Will be keeping a few of these tracks in my rotation for awhile. Good to see Asher distance himself from that obnoxious frat rap shit, looking forward to future releases! 4/5
incredible album from front to back.
EXCELLENT album. What hip hop music really should be!
Man, the first time i heard this alum i was like asher is amazing. there is not one bad track in this album and i would say the best work yet from asher roth. #retrohash