Rapper Lorenzo Asher on the art of ghostwriting
theGRIO REPORT - Growing up, singer songwriter Lorenzo Asher knew music was his calling at a very young age. It’s something that’s been a part of his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio...
Growing up, singer songwriter Lorenzo Asher knew music was his calling at a very young age. It’s something that’s been a part of his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio.
“I think I’ve always loved music…since I can remember. I’m talking like 5 or 6 years old.” Asher said. “I had a Casio keyboard and I would literally play songs I’d hear on the cartoons.”
Some of the strongest musicians break into the business as songwriters and backup singers. One can also become a “ghostwriter” — a person who writes lyrics for an artist while taking none of the credit.
About a year ago, author dream hampton tweeted that Nas, one of rap’s greatest lyricists, has used ghostwriters in the past and it left the hip-hop community shocked. Ghostwriting in hip-hop is a subject that’s taboo to discuss openly, because it undermines the credibility of an emcee.
The art of ghost writing
Asher says he became a ghostwriter for some of rap’s biggest names in his late teens. Confidentiality agreements don’t allow him to say which artists he directly worked for but according to him, they frequent the Billboard top 20.
“At first you feel, ‘I wish I had the recognition.’” Asher said about writing for successful rap acts. “You then develop feelings that allow you to see this as a business. I got a decent amount of money and help others express their feelings and tell their stories. I think its dope. I think it’s an art.”
While there’s a code of silence when it comes to ghostwriting, it isn’t uncommon for an artist to emulate the style or lyrical cadence of their ghostwriter. Asher had aspirations of being a star and he was beginning to resent the process of making lackluster emcees sound great.
“I know a lot of artists who can write their own music but because they’ve done so much that maybe mentally they’ve burned out.” Asher said.
What else is there left to say if you’ve had a stellar career in rap? Dr. Dre used multiple rappers to “assist him” with his bars from the critically-acclaimed albums The Chronic and The Chronic 2001. Rumors of Diddy using former artists like the late Notorious B.I.G., former pastor Ma$e, and Loon to beef up his verses have been around for years.
But if the quality of the music doesn’t suffer, does using ghostwriters really matter?
Sometimes ghostwriters are brought in to help rejuvenate the artist’s sound. Lil Wayne’s music, Emmett Till verse controversy aside, hasn’t been deemed as high quality by critics for years, and Asher suggests he should link up with some writers get his swagger back.
“When you look at an artist like Lil Wayne, who gets a lot of negative criticism for what he says… He’s done so much it’s almost like what else can he say? What I think what would be wise for Wayne to do now is to interact with some writers and get some fresh ideas because again, he’s done so much on his own maybe he’s burned out, doesn’t know what else is there to say.”
Or maybe Weezy just lost interest in the craft…
“I hate to say this but, I was just down there in MIA and I think with Wayne he’s to a point where he doesn’t care about anything or people’s opinions,” Asher says. “He just says what he wants to say. And even in his own camp, if they feel he shouldn’t say it, he doesn’t care, he just pushes past the guys that usually tell him ‘ you shouldn’t do it’ because Wayne’s the boss. I think it’s reflective in his brand also.”
Good music, better message
The hypocrisy he sees in mainstream hip hop and its negative message to children were reasons Asher says he made sure that when he ultimately became a solo act, he’d practice what he preaches.
“I’d say about one year and a half ago I had a revelation. I was at a friend’s house back home and they have three young daughters who love hip hop music and love my music. I had a song about Harlem drug dealer Nicky Barnes, a song that was just about everything that was on the radio. The girls heard the song and were singing my song and ‘Nicky Barnes,’ you know, by all means is not a clean record at all,” said Asher reflectively. “When I saw this I said ‘oh no’ — it hit me. I know hip hop effects everyone negatively on some level but it never really hit me like in that particular situation. I just knew, I said, ‘I gotta stop this.’”
Now with a new music video out titled “Begin,” and a mixtape, Liquor|Loud|Loyalty|Love, on the way, Lorenzo is ready to change the culture from in front of the camera and with his pen. He wants to help artists who are genuine with their lyrics and social message.
“I would not, I would not, I’m completely done with it,” Asher says about writing negative music. “I’m me man, from now on 100 percent and I think its dope now. I can write for artists that are down with what I’m down with, that are positive. And I think people are gonna be down with it and follow it.”
Follow Lorenzo Asher on Twitter and check out his music here.
You can check out Kyle’s musical coverage on theGrio music page, and follow Kyle on Twitter at @HarveyWins.
