Ashley
Walters a.k.a. Asher D is a rapper and actor, who is widely known for his
work within the group So Solid Crew. After the group disbanded, he went on to
focus on other projects. Asher D is a rising actor appearing in films
such as Bullet Boy where he played the title role, and featured in Get
Rich or Die Tryin' which starred 50 Cent. He played the role as "Wolf" in a
new teenage spy film, Stormbreaker and "Danny" in the film Life and
Lyrics. It has been confirmed that he will star alongside the rest of the
con artist team in the fourth series of BBC Drama Hustle, replacing
Adrian Lester who plays Mickey Bricks.What is the concept behind ‘In Memory of the Streetfighter’?
The album is named after and is dedicated to my father who passed away last year. He was known in his area as the street fighter and that explains the title. I think that everyone has a street fighter in them; we all have to in order to overcome day to day struggles.
Tell me about the track ‘Andrea.’
Andrea is a track that is very personal to me. The track is based on a true story and is most definitely my favourite track on the album.
How do you want people to view you as an artist after listening to the album?
To be honest I feel as though nobody really knows just how good a lyricist I am. A lot of people label me a garage artist but that’s not true. This album in my opinion is one of the best hip hop albums to come out of the UK, period! I want to gain respect as an artist.
Is this going to be a major release?
I put the album out myself through my label AD82 Productions. It’s in HMV’s nationwide and all good independent stores. I’m very proud of this project. We brought the product out ourselves and did our own distribution.
Do you think you’ll eventually have the same success as a solo artist as you did collectively with So Solid?
I hope so. The problem over here is that the market for UK hip hop is limited, and there is no unity over here like there is in the States.
I heard there’s also a ‘Cure 4 Cancer’ mix tape, what’s that about?
That was a pre-album to let the fans know that I haven’t gone anywhere. I made that one in three days. It’s a big mix tape and is a perfect build up to the album.
You’re an actor in your own right, what kind of roles are you looking at the moment?
I’ve got four new projects out next year, three of which are films that will be on nationwide release ‘Sugarhouse Lane’, ‘Collision’, ‘WAZ’ and am currently filming for the next series of BBC 1 Drama ‘Hustle’. I’m open to roles and I don’t want to typecast myself but at the same time do not want my films to reflect on music.
Do you want to go over to the States and break Hollywood at some point in the future?
Definitely, I am known over there through the 50 Cent project [Get Rich or Die Tryin’] and ‘Stormbreaker’ but yes, establishing myself in the States, both as an actor and as a musician, is all part of the long term plan.
How do you balance your music and film commitments?
It’s hard, very hard. I love both equally but films have obviously taken priority recently. It’s difficult not being able to perform and tour but it will happen and you can expect a lot more from me musically. I’m going to be recording a my new mix tape early next year and you will hear a lot of collaborations on that.
If you had to choose out of being in the film or music business, which would it be?
Can’t and never would choose. It would have to be all or nothing.
What are your ambitions for AD82 as a business?
I plan to establish AD82 as major independent label to be reckoned with. We specialise in both music and film and building the brand is my first priority.
The album ‘In Memory of the Streetfighter’ out now.
www.ad82.co.uk
www.myspace.com/ad82productions
By Rashmi Shastri - Nov 2006