..
VOUR
FLA
EXCLUSIVE
.ASHLEYAKA ASHER D
IS HE THE
UK’s ANSWER
TO P.DIDDY?
[ INTERVIEW BY ANNIKA ALLEN ]
WALTERS
WORKING ON HIS LEGACY
A
shley Walters who is The multi-talented star has also Talk me through a typical day
otherwise known as released his forth studio album in your life?
Asher D isn’t feeling called The Appetiser through his It’s a lot of hard work that goes
100% comfortable production company AD82. The into it and a lot of communica-
in the sophisticated songs on the album are catchy, tion. We’re a very small business
tailored suit that he assertive, honest and a reflection of so far and we’ve been running for
has been asked to wear for our where he is currently in life, which two years. I’ve got three kids and
photoshoot so he’s stripping off. is a good place. their mother is in college full-time
His naked chest wasn’t the Of course we can’t ignore the so I’ve taken the responsibility of
image we had in mind for our cover fact that he went to jail in 2002 for having them around me full time.
shoot, but with his well toned body gun possession but he has now They’re in the office a lot. They’re
and attractive confidence, it works! put that lbehind him and is working with Richard a lot [who is standing
With his bare chest on display hard to create a legacy, and from nearby], Richard’s my step-dad
I notice that the 25-year old has a the sounds of it, he’s on the right he’s married to my mum and he’s
few tattoos. The names of his three track. Asher talks exclusively to my business partner and manager
kids Shayon, Paniro and China Flavour about music, fatherhood as well. He helps me out a lot with
adorn his chest. He has his name and building an empire. childcare.
‘Asher D’ on his back and on his
right shoulder he has one inscribed Tell me about AD82? It says on the Internet that
‘In Memory of the Street Fighter’. AD82 is a production company. you’re married. Are you?
What’s that?’ I ask pointing to We dabble in management, film What, really? No I’m not married.
his arm. ‘The street fighter is my production, scriptwriting, [He’s actually single]. My main
father,’ he says. ‘He died.’ publishing and distribution and also priority is my kids. So they really do
He returns to continue the function as an independent label, get the majority of my time. I do the
shoot and it’s not until later that I so we do everything basically. school run. I make three breakfasts
find out how he died after he re- in the morning. I iron their uniforms
turns from smoking outside. ‘It will Why is there a need for a and take them to school. I take
kill you,’ I say referring to his recent company like this? them home and cook them dinner.
nicotine fix. ‘I know,’ he states. My AD82 was born from me being I usually plan my schedule around
kids are always asking me when signed to two majors and having when their mother is not at college.
I am going to stop and I should my major deal with So Solid and It sounds like it’s the hardest
considering how my father died.’ then having my solo deal with Sony thing in the world but it’s not. I’m
‘I’m going to cut down.’ and coming out of that I felt that I happy to spend the time with them
The moment he mentioned his wasn’t developed as an artist. cos I missed out on that in the
children his eyes lit up and you can I wasn’t taught about how I could beginning so it’s really good to get
tell that they are his pride and joy. progress myself and how I could that chance and bond with them.
I’m sure his dad, would be very market myself which I thought was
proud of him. After all he has come pretty bad and I started to look at Which do you prefer, music
a long way since he was a member the industry and realise that most or acting?
of garage collective So Solid Crew. artists are treated like that over I couldn’t say. I don’t know. Cos
here in the UK. I came out not
at the end of the day I love doing
Man of many talents. knowing a thing about my music and it’s more enjoyable
His acting career has blossomed accounts, my finances, about at the time you’re doing it. The
with his talent bagging him starring anything. Not being financially process of acting is very long,
roles in Bullet Boy, Stormbreaker, stable, not in a position to do tedious, monotonous and repetitive
50 Cent’s bio pic Get Rich or Die anything so that’s how AD82 was whereas music is instantaneous
Tryin’, Sugarhouse Lane and the born. It’s kind of a way to say F the gratification and you get what you
BBC’s critically acclaimed series labels I’m doing this myself. need from it straight away. Music
Hustle and there’s more to come. doesn’t pay my mortgages or rent
18 - See the exclusive interview & behind the scenes shoot at flavourmag.co.uk
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