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London,
André Paine's rating
Reader rating
Description: The novelty US rapper promotes his album Asleep In The Bread Aisle.
Phone: 0207565 7800
Trains: Tube: Westbourne Park 
Shaping up: ebullient Asher Roth clowns about on stage at the Tabernacle
He’s been compared to Eminem but newcomer Asher Roth has a more modest self-assessment, describing himself as a “corny, quirky, suburban, white kid” who happened to break into hip-hop.
In fact, Eminem’s comeback could have overshadowed the launch of the 23-year-old from Pennsylvania, although a top five album in the US with Asleep in the Bread Aisle suggests everything is on track.
Several hip-hop names helped out on the record, including Busta Rhymes and Cee-Lo Green from Gnarls Barkley. But for his debut UK show at this cosy Notting Hill venue Roth largely had to rely on his own rhyming skills and ebullient, underdog personality to win over the crowd, although a drummer and DJ filled out the sound.
It was perhaps filled out a little too much as this self-confessed dork was completely drowned out at the start. However, Roth realised the problem and demanded his mic be turned up as he invited a chum to join him on stage and clown around.
The pair threw shapes and rhymed to the anthemic Blunt Cruisin’ then after the song Roth addressed its subject matter almost seriously when he observed that “weed smoking is not for everybody, sometimes people just get high on life”.
That was as philosophical as it got. But although the lyrics were similarly lacking in profundity, at least Roth’s lively 45-minute performance didn’t simply ape the music of bigger names. And when he slapped the hands from the surging crowd during Be By Myself, he made delivering a decent tune and connecting with an audience look easy.
The single I Love College also got a big reaction for its paean to the frat house. However, the swift response of the venue’s security to a harmless stage invasion killed the party spirit quicker than a student loan statement.
Roth’s dumb, fun tunes should certainly hit his target audience but in a chart battle, Eminem probably hasn’t got much to worry about.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
