Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

'Dork' White Rapper Finds College Niche

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 10, 2009 10:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Asher Roth’s image isn’t classic hip-hop: He’s a white kid who wears sweatshirts and calls himself a “dork.” But that image, along with the breakout hit “I Love College,” has earned him a top-10 spot on iTunes and millions of MySpace streams, the Wall Street Journal reports. The ode to college life—zeroing in on partying, beer pong, and sex—hits a niche “bullseye,” says a music marketer.

Roth, 23, dropped out of West Chester University during his sophomore year in 2007, after getting a manager who helped him score a record deal. He moved to Atlanta to work on music, and “I Love College” rode blogs and social networks to success. Now, to keep from becoming a one-hit wonder, he’s hitting the mainstream with a new song and talk-show appearances—and appealing to the underground crowd with the help of key producers.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Asher Roth performs during the 2008 mtvU Woodie Awards at Roseland Ballroom on November 12, 2008, in New York City. (Getty Images)

Asher Roth performs with the Cool Kids during the 2008 mtvU Woodie Awards at Roseland Ballroom on November 12, 2008, in New York City. (Getty Images)

Asher Roth performs during the 2008 mtvU Woodie Awards at Roseland Ballroom on November 12, 2008, in New York City. (Getty Images)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

"I Love College." (YouTube)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

I'm classic white. I'm talking about yoga and yogurt covered in fruit. - Asher Roth

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Whitney Album Price Nearly Doubles on iTunes

Sony blamed for UK price hike, now reversed

(NEWSER) - On Saturday, a Whitney Houston greatest-hits album cost about $8 in the UK iTunes store; but shortly after the singer was found dead, it had jumped to a little more than $12.50. The changed sparked a customer uproar. "It is just a case of iTunes cashing in on the singer's death, which in my opinion is totally parasitic," said one, according to DigitalSpy . But the Guardian reports that it was Sony, not iTunes, that was responsible for the change—which has now been reversed. More»

NYC Rapper's Burned Body Found in SUV

Kampane shot before body dumped, police say

(NEWSER) - The badly burned body of up-and-coming Brooklyn rapper Kampane has been found in an SUV abandoned on a New Jersey street. Police say the 33-year-old rapper, whose real name was Rhian Stoute, had been shot at least once. "Everybody loved him," Kampane's cousin tells the New York Daily News . "We're shocked. It's very confusing. This is out of nowhere." More»

Outkast's Big Boi Busted With Ecstasy, Viagra

Border Patrol nabs rapper on cruise ship

(NEWSER) - Outkast rapper Antwan “Big Boi” Patton was arrested while getting off a cruise ship today in Miami, after border patrol dogs caught him allegedly carrying drugs, law enforcement sources tell TMZ . He was charged with three counts of drug possession and one count of drug paraphernalia possession, all felonies. The drugs in question were ecstasy, MDMA powder and Viagra that he allegedly didn’t have a prescription for. He’s being held on $16,000 bail. More»

Rapper Lupe Fiasco: Obama's the Real Terrorist

He says US foreign policy helps foster terror

(NEWSER) - Conservatives slammed President Obama for hosting Chicago rapper Common at the White House. Now Obama is taking criticism from a different Chicago rapper. "To me, the biggest terrorist is Obama, and the United States of America,” Lupe Fiasco told CBS in an interview noted by the Huffington Post . “I'm trying to fight the terrorism that's actually causing the other forms of terrorism.” He said “the root cause of terrorism” includes “the foreign policies that we have in place in different countries that inspire people to become terrorists.” More»

Rapper Nate Dogg Dead at 41

Gangsta rap legend started out with Snoop Dogg, Warren G

(NEWSER) - West Coast gangsta rap star Nate Dogg has died at the age of 41, reports his hometown newspaper, the Long Beach Press-Telegram . The cause of death is not yet known, but the rapper—real name Nathaniel D. Hale—had battled health problems in recent years and suffered strokes in 2007 and 2008. The ex-Marine started out as part of rap trio 213, joining Snoop Dogg—no relation—and Warren G. He released three solo albums but was best known for his collaborations with other rappers, including Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website