ASHLEY WALTERS - NEW ALBUM OUT FEB 23rd
Ashley Walters (a.k.a. Asher D) is a British rapper and actor, who is known for his work within the group So Solid Crew. After appearing in a number West End theatre productions and TV shows such as 'Grange Hill', and the BBC film 'Storm Damage', Asher began to emerge as a talented lyricist as well as an actor. With influences ranging from American hip-hop acts such as Busta Rhymes, to the emerging British sound of two-step garage. After working on the album "They Don't Know", as part of the now infamous collective, So Solid Crew. In 2003 Asher D released his first solo album titled "Street Sibling". 2004 saw Ashley Walters concentrate on rebuilding his acting career alongside his musical aspirations. Starring in the National theatre production 'Sing Your Heart Out for the Lads' and the critically acclaimed film 'Bullet Boy', Ashley was thrust into the spotlight and is now quickly emerging as one of the film industry's leading young talents. The success of Bullet Boy saw Ashley win a British Independent Film Award (BIFA) for best newcomer, helping him land further roles in major films such as the Hollywood blockbuster "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'", and the upcoming film "Stormbreaker", based on the novels Anthony Horowitz. He also stars with a leading role in the highly anticipated British film about a London DJ's efforts to break into the music business, titled "Life and Lyrics". Following on from the success of "Life & Lyrics", Ashley landed lead roles in films 'WAZ', due for release spring 2008 & the recently released 'Sugarhouse'. As well as this, Ashley recently starred in the new series of BBC's hit series 'Hustle' as lead role Billy Bond. With his acting career booming, Asher also spent his time writing his long-awaited sophomore album. The follow up to "Street Sibling" hit stores in May 2007, and is titled 'In Memory of the Streetfighter'. Since the release, Asher got back into the studio to record the pre-album release "The Appetiser", which was given an exclusive release in November 2007. In 2008 Ashley put the finishing touches to his album before signing to Abstract Urban Records, home to Blak Twang, Baby J and Klashnekoff. "M.O. Part II" is the first single to be taken off his new album simply called "Ashley Walters", the single features performances from Durrty Goodz & Sway. The album is set for February 2009 release and features guest appearances from the likes of Mutya Buena, Chipmunk & production from Baby J, Joe Buhdah & Swindle [ Order it here ]
ASHLEY WALTERS - NEW SINGLE!
Ashley Walters aka Asher D has teamed up with Durrty Goodz and Sway for the explosive single ‘M.O. Part 2'. [ Order it here ]
BABY J - BABYFOOD
Baby J is a one-man-magnet when it comes to working with the cream of UK hip-hop and R&B, from home-grown thoroughbreds to below-radar up-and-comers and his own personal squad of emcees that always benefit from a Baby J leg-up. [ Order it here ]
BLAK TWANG - SPEAKING FROM XPERIENCE
Having negotiated classic albums lost to corporate slapstick and an apathetic UK scene that for a long time couldn’t get its arse in gear, Blak Twang is undoubtedly a cornerstone of UK hip-hop. The boy Rotton is as British as bangers and mash, holding down South London via Birmingham and Manchester with a gong-heavy mantelpiece, and a collection of air miles best described as ‘mega’, such is his international acclaim. A perennial stage and festival rocker, Twang’s standing stretches back to his revered LPs from the 90s. . Quite simply, the man is no nonsense. [ Order it here ]
BABY J - MIXTAPE
Baby J continues his domination of the UK urban scene, once again teaming up with Dat Sound to release the second in the FTP mixtape series. Inspired by the old skool dance hall sound system tapes and Tony Touches legendary 50 mics mixtape, Fix The Problem is a one of a kind and an instant classic for any one who likes Hip Hop. [ Order it here ]
CEE ROCK "THE FURY" INTERVIEW ONLINE
Rawroots.com spoke with Queens native Cee Rock "The Fury" earlier this year to get the latest on himself, his views on the industry and his reasons for not using profanity in his lyrics .
[ Read it here ]
NECRO - DEATH RAP - OUT NOW
If you're currently rockin' the new Interpol and think that's as dark as New York gets, stop reading… If however, you've got a good sense of humor and don't mind the odd four-letter word, gratuitous sex and violence or horror-core hip-hop, please read on. Necro is a hardcore hip-hop artist with his finger on the pulse of extreme music. He is recognized worldwide for his work as an established recording artist, rap producer, film director and as the owner/CEO of Psycho+Logical-Records. His most recent albums The Sexorcist, The Pre-Fix for Death and Gory Days have set the stage for Necro's brand of irreverent and often humorous commentary on the dark side of reality that began with tracks like I Need Drugs, his warped rework of LL Cool J's I Need Love. In the past two years, Psycho+ Logical- has released an onslaught of music from members of the incendiary group Non-Phixion such as Necro's own brother Ill Bill, Goretex and Sabac as well as affiliates like Mr. Hyde. Necro and Ill Bill also conquered the mix-CD market with Street Villains Vol. I & II, the two instalments of their official mixtape series where they put their indelible stamp on hits by Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. Death Rap is the latest offering from hip-hop's indisputable king of gore and porn and features the tracks Mutilate The Beat, Technician of Execution, Forensic Pathologist and Portrait of A Death Rapper. Named after the title given to him by British newspapers following his sold-out live dates in the UK earlier this year, Death Rap takes the collaborations with premier metal bands Slipknot, Hatebreed, Obituary, Nuclear Assault, Skarhead and Voivod on The Pre-Fix For Death to the next level in metal-rap collaboration. The album features some of heavy metal's most acclaimed and well-respected artists: Harley Flanagan of The Cro-Mags, Brian Fair of Shadows Fall, Mark Morton of Lamb Of God, Mike Smith of Suffocation & Steve DiGiorgio of Death/Sadus, Scott Ian of Anthrax, Ray Alder of Fates Warning & Dave Ellefson formerly of Megadeth . While The Pre-Fix For Death was the first step in Necro's plan to create the most natural consolidation of rap and metal made by an artist of either genre, Death Rap sees him bridging the divide with the type of ease you might expect from someone who played in Metal and Hardcore bands until 1990 and has supported not just Run DMC, The Beatnuts and Kool Keith but Sepultra, Biohazard and Napalm Death to make what ranks as one of the most original, most uncompromising albums released this year.
- “In a musical climate where sickness is rewarded with impressive record sales, Necro's future looks bright” – NME
- “A brand new hard-hitting white boy rapper emerges to claim Slim Shady's crown of controversy” - Dazed & Confused
- “After this you'll never question the sanity of your leaders again” - Hip-Hop Connection
- “He's a genuine original” - Mixmag
Order "Death Rap" here | Click here to listen to sample
