On September 3, New York City’s Hot 97 held its monthly “Who’s Next Live” music series at S.O.B.’s, hosted by the station’s own, Peter Rosenberg. The event was headlined by one of hip-hop’s newest and most talked about MCs, Asher Roth. Joining him on the bill was Shalone and the classic group Heltah Skeltah.

Opening up the night in front of a packed house was the lyrically talented and rhythmic assassin, Homeboy Sandman. Next to do his thing was Shalone, assited by a couple of associates on stage, getting the crowd warmed up for the main attraction. Following Shalone’s set, Peter Rosenberg issued some commentary for a few minutes about the man that packed the venue - Asher Roth.

After the introduction, Asher made his presence felt immediately. Joined by a band of herbalist (they passed the weed like it was the mic), the Morrisville, Pennsylvania rapper, delved into songs from his mixtape, “The Greenhouse Effect,” performing “Roth Boys,” “They Know,” “Cannon,” and an acapella of “Just Listen.” After concluding his set, the crowd encouraged Asher for one last song, in which the rapper signed to SRC decided to do his rendition of “A Millie,” graced onstage by fellow up-and-coming artists - Mickey Factz and Charles Hamilton.

Although “The Industry’s Guide” departed before Heltah Skeltah rocked the stage, we now know that the comparisons to Marshall Matthers need to stop (the only thing the two artists have in common is that they’re both talented white rappers; if anything, he’s more comparable to the Beastie Boys ). However, our verdict is in, Asher Roth has the talent, stageshow and charisma to make some headway in the world of hip-hop.