New music from the RAWTH team.

From Scoop D’s upcoming Loud Pack EP.

Asher wrote: “Revisiting memories from when I first started seemed to be the best way to wrap up 2014. Keep Growing. I am excited for 2015 and for the support that everyone has given me, and the love I have received up to this point in my career. I wish everyone the best during the holiday season, and to everyone an amazing new year. I know that 2015 will hold many firsts for me as an artist and I look forward to you all being a part of it”

Produced By: Blended Babies

Asher: “sɯooɹɥsnɯ ǝɥʇ ʇɐǝ oʇ pǝpıɔǝp ǝʍ uoısuǝɯıp ɥʇ5 ǝɥʇ buıɹǝʇuǝ ɹǝʇɟɐ ˙ʞɹɐp sɐʍ ʇɥbıu ǝɥʇ puɐ ʎʌɐǝɥ sɐʍ uıɐɹ ǝɥʇ.” Nottz on the beat.

New music from the Blended Babies, with help from Ash and Buddy.

Ash: “Pull It” is the third and final chapter in the ‘RetroHash’ journey. Following “Parties at the Disco” (escape) and “Last of the Flohicans” (ego death), “Pull It” represents the transformation.

“This video and song represent the death of ego. Removing ‘I’ from the situation and living a life built around courage and love.” Directed by Ken Koller. Song Produced by Blended Babies. From the Album RETRO HASH available worldwide now.

Directed by Kenny Koller. Produced by Blended Babies. From Asher Roth RetroHash.

Asher Roth fought long and hard to shed the frat boy image created by his debut single, “I Love College”. At the core of this artist is a backpack rap, lyrically driven hip-hop head, but you’d never know that from the way he was initially marketed. He did truly redeem himself on his 2012 Pabst and Jazz mixtape, which played solidly like an album, one too underground for the major label machine to market. After a relatively quiet 2013, Asher resurfaces with the cleverly titled Retro Hash, now sporting long braids and a curious change of wardrobe.

The exterior is not all that has changed with Asher, as his sound has too. He’s undergone a shift in sound and style, opting more for laid back, rock driven tracks that find him singing more than rapping. Make no mistake, his flow is still tight, such as on the very early 90′s Hiero-esque “Dude”, or on the album’s best track, “Something For Nothing”, where guest Coyle Girelli takes up the singing duties.

But the big problem with Retro Hash? Asher can’t sing, yet he tries incessantly. It’s not that he’s off key – he can hold a note without autotuning – its just that he’s no better than the average person, impressed by their own acoustics in the shower. Songs like “Pull It”, “Pot Of Gold” and “Fast Life” with Vic Mensa grate on the nerves, mainly because it just seems so unnatural. It’s as if the label again is stepping in and forcing him to reach out to that college demographic, yet he doesn’t really know how to, beyond bad making stoner rock.

The drums are still raw, but the album’s Hendrix-esque guitar licks are overbearing, coming off as a trite attempt at being something he really isn’t. It is clear that Ash wanted to step outside the box and do something different here, but in doing so he’s alienated the rest of his small, dedicated fanbase that actually cares. Puff, puff, pass.

Asher Roth’s RetroHash is in stores today, and you can stream the whole thing down below, via Soundcloud. Guests include Curren$y, Vic Mensa, Chuck Inglish and more.

From Retro Hash, which hits April 22nd.

Asher Paul gives us another preview of this month’s Retro Hash, hitting April 22nd. Rik Cordero in the director’s chair.

Produced by Blended Babies. From the album Retro Hash, due April 22nd.

Blended Babies remix ZZ Wards’ year-anthem, with a little help from Asher Roth and King Chip.

From the new album, Retro Hash, available 4/22/14. Directed by Matt Spicer.