Frat-Rap: Asher Roth Awakes into the Game

In light of several recent efforts to change hip-hop into an entirely vocal-synthetic genre, a shred of comic relief arose in the form of 23 year-old rapper/ ultra-frat boy, Asher Roth. From Morrisville, Pennsylvania, which Roth describes as "a quaint little borough" with one of the lowest crime rates in the state, arrives the Natty Light sipping, blunt-smoking, Eminem sound-alike.

Ever since his debut single, "I Love College," the young, white rapper has caught the attention of MTV spring breakers and the likes all across the country. In the song, Roth rhymes, "I wanna go to college for the rest of my life/ Sip Banker's Club and drink Miller Lite/ On Thirsty Thursday and Tuesday Night Ice/ And I can get pizza a dollar a slice (scenario sound familiar, college kids?).

While it may seem difficult to take Roth's music seriously, his new album "Asleep in the Bread Aisle" has received praise from one of hip-hop's Godfathers, Jay-Z, and also features guest appearances from established artists such as Busta Rhymes, Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo, and Beanie Segal among others. While some critics might say their presence on "Asleep in the Bread Aisle" tells you more about opportunism in the face of hip-hop's fading commercial fortunes than it does about Roth's talent, a critic certainly is not always right.

In his debut, it's undoubtedly easy to separate Roth from contemporary rappers. The artist shares a strong (and declared) passion for marijuana and women, and maintains his juvenile party boy persona in songs like "Blunt Cruisin," and "Sour Patch Kids," yet does it with sporadic style and occasionally witty lyrics. It's difficult to really get mad at Roth when at least he hasn't fabricated his material...yet. On "Asleep in a Bread Aisle," Asher aimlessly guides listeners through the party life, a touch of politics, and even a couple family allusions. Seems like an honest kid just trying to make a living, doesn't it?

The Eminem comparisons at least give Roth something to rap about aside from adolescent activities, as he displays on "As I Em." He complains the comparisons keep coming "just because we have the same complexion and similar voice inflection".

One of the few seemingly sober songs, "His Dream," deals with the disenchanted ambitions of a family man living vicariously through his children. "His Dream" epitomizes Roth's skill as a storyteller, and indicates he may well be a force to be reckoned with once he reaches beyond the confines of a freshman's anthem artist. In the meantime, let's enjoy a new, talented MC, who doesn't quite show any signs of growing up; you may find it refreshing.