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Halle Kaplan-Allen

Asher Roth, who plays at 10 p.m. on Saturday at Howlin’ Wolf, began his musical career by writing original verses that he rapped over other artists’ beats, including Lil Wayne’s “A Milli” and John Mayer’s “Waiting On the World to Change.” Initially, Roth was bothered by the fact that he couldn’t identify with the themes that other hip-hop artists discussed in their music.

“I don’t sell coke. I don’t have cars or 25-inch rims. I don’t have guns,” Roth said in an interview with Vibe Magazine.

He eventually built up the confidence to do his own thing, discovering that he could still write hip-hop music without talking about drugs and violence. After recording a few of his own songs, Roth ambitiously sent some of his work to Atlanta-based music producer Scooter Braun, who signed him almost immediately and later became his manager.

Roth continues to rap about what he knows best, which Vibe described as “middle class minutiae,” making his work easily relatable to Tulane students. Roth is heavily influenced by Eminem and Jay-Z, citing Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life” as his greatest inspiration. In the last four years, Roth has completed three mixtapes, two EPs and a full album, touring with B.o.B., Kid Cudi and Blink 182. His second album, “Is This Too Orange” – set to be released in late spring of 2012 – features high-energy music that Roth compares to the work of the rap duo Outkast. Roth has spent the past month following March Madness on a 12-stop “Final Four Tour,” culminating with the show in New Orleans.

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