The abrupt rise and fall of Asher Roth’s relevancy within the last five years has been a peculiar event, to say the least. The Morrisville, PA emcee caught lightning in a bottle with the 2009 laid back jaunt “I Love College,” and brokered that into a lucrative deal that saw his debut Asleep In The Bread Aisle crack the Billboard charts, though the album itself was an underwhelming collection of musical miscues. Since then, he’s released more respectable projects like Pabst & Jazz and The Rawth EP (alongside producer Nottz), yet those have failed to move the needle in a positive direction. The 27-year-old rapper now looks to recapture the spark that he acquired on The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 1 with its proper follow-up.
Asher’s lyrical disposition can be a volatile experience, but when he’s on, the potential is palpable. Over bursting kick drums and fiery synth, Asher is on a vicious war path with “Eggs Florentine,” while “A-One” is ripe for the replay button. Picking up on Don Cannon’s stellar production for “Numbers On The Board” (he co-hosts this mixtape with DJ Drama), Roth delivers a highlight reel of rhymes mixed with in an intriguingly dense flow. To that point, while most of his lyrics settle on metaphor flips and extracurricular episodes, he also isn’t ashamed to admit his ruffled past, as he puts the widespread criticism into perspective on “Pearly Gates” with the following:
“I’ve been shitted on, spit up on, dissed and forgotten / Rick Ross can be a cop, Drake started from the bottom / No offense, I don’t want to start a problem but come on / All I ever did was tell you I was champ in beer pong.”
Similar to the first volume, this project mixes in a medley of “O.P.P.” (other people’s production), but the results don’t prove to be as convincing. Selecting the dated backdrop of “Pass That Dutch” is an odd match, though Asher scrapes by with uncanny wordplay. The same can’t be said for “Blurred Lines,” where his stabbing delivery stumbles over Pharrell’s slick production. He attempts to loosen up with the Caribbean vibe of “Freaks,” but ends up coming off as more perverse than playful (“I used to watch scrambled porn alone in the basement / But I don’t watch anymore, naw girl, I make it”).
Therein lies the biggest flaw with Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2; instead of doubling down on conceptual records that could make an impact like “Just Listen,” “Fallin’” or even “G.R.I.N.D.,” Asher Roth would prefer to stray away and enjoy “the scenic route.” What does that mean? Hastily piecing together empty collaborations (“Actin Up”), revisiting his trite frat boy persona (“Girlscout Cookies”) and harboring a limited amount of humility (“Lil Butt”).
The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2 doesn’t represent the prominent return that Asher Roth was aiming for, though there are moments here that he can build on. Still, with the lingering notion of being a “one-hit wonder” hanging over his head like a guillotine, Asher can’t afford to falter much longer.
DX Consensus: “Just A Mixtape”
RELATED: Asher Roth “The Greenhouse Effect Vol. 2” Tracklist, Download & Mixtape Stream
fuck this guy
Dude can rap, should just focus on fun raps
I disagree about only focusing on the ‘fun raps’. He’s had some ill shit when he gets serious (ex. Ampersand from Pabst & Jazz tape).
Dope mc went under the radar after that college track but his mixtapes are always quality far better than that MGK wigger poser
you don’t know shit about MGK, he’s dope and spits some intense fire, packed with real talks of struggle. MGk’s mixtape Black Flag is great quality at it’s finest. Asher and kells are both dope Mc’s with something to say; don’t bring down one to uplift the other.
i enjoy bumping this over yeesus
Haven’t heard this yet, but Yeezus was trash and anybody who wasn’t getting paid off it would agree
LOL roll tide? Like the trashy Alabama? No one said yall had any great tastes down there, let alone your taste in music is absolute trash.
YEEZUS>>>>>> Asher roths discography
yall keep bumpin this shit though AND/OR commenting when you still didnt even listen.
SMH YALL SOME BEATASS nigs
i dont know
they both whack
Couldn’t agree more. Asher has blown me away. Yeezus seemed under produced and really lazy. Not impressed with that shit. GHEV2 was exactly wwhat I’ve been waiting for.
Great to here more form him, flow of music will be better from now
The mixtape is pretty dope. Not as good as Pabst & Jazz, and could have done without some of the cornier songs (Actin Up / Little Butt), but overall it was good.
I resisted at first to listening to him, but AR is gettin it done!
Not as good as Pabst & Jazz, but it’s still a great mixtape. Takes you back the the GEV1 and Seared Foie Gras days.
Still hoping for a second album…
This is good music. Listen to Healer and A-One, this poet is nice! ASH ROTH THE MAN! Bring the album!!!!!! WHOOOO!
Gotta say I disagree with this. You gotta remember that this is the GREENHOUSE EFFECT. It’s gonna have that partying theme more than his other releases. He’s obviously frustrated with the higher-ups, so why not have some fun and go back to what got him signed? Definitely deserves a higher rating.
So pleased to see Asher Roth back on his music grind! He’s mad talented and is being overlooked beyond measures – this mixtape is just the beginning of his comeback.
!
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Great shit…amazin
Not very good sorry
GEV2> YEEZUS>MAGNA CARTA HOLY GRAIL
Amasin
This was a better listen than I expected. Big Asher fan. I’ve been listening to Pabst and Jazz pretty much every day since he dropped that. THAT shoulda been an album. GE2 is killer tho. Wish record labels werent killing the music business. Asher needs to go Indie ASAP
Wack.
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
http://www.hulkshare.com/Banannaz
Production Credits: Red Cafe, Chinx Drugz, Kid Ink & More……
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