Asher D
Encyclopedia
Ashley Walters also known as Asher D, is an English
rapper, musician
and actor
.
, London and raised by his mother, Pamela Case, a local government officer. He attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School
, in London, from the age of 6. After graduating from the Sylivia Young Theatre School, Walters starred in some of the more popular stage productions at the time.
He has two sons and two daughters with partner Natalie.
. He enjoyed relative success as a lyricist, particularly for their number 1 hit "21 Seconds
". After the group split, he went on to focus on other projects, most recently 2006's In Memory of the Street Fighter, featuring the single "Andrea".
Asher D released a studio album in 2008 on AD82 records, entitled The Appetiser, a twelve track affair produced by both Asher D and Laurence Ezra.
With Dewi Bruce Konuah, he co-owns a production company
, AD82 Productions, specialising in talent in the British music and film industries.
in July 2001, he was found to be carrying a loaded Brocock air pistol
modified to fire live ammunition. He was arrested and, in 2002, jailed for eighteen months, in a young offenders' institute. Having spent the previous nine months in custody, he subsequently served an additional nine months to complete his sentence.
at age 14 (in the role of "Andy"). He appeared in Bullet Boy
, where he played Ricky who just came out of jail to start a new life/role, and was named Best Newcomer for the role, at the British Independent Film Awards. He also appeared in Get Rich or Die Tryin'
alongside rapper 50 Cent
.
He played the role of "Wolf" in film Stormbreaker
, and "Danny" in the film Life and Lyrics
from which he has received many plaudits. He has filmed WΔZ, alongside Selma Blair
and Melissa George
, and Sugarhouse Lane. He played Lacey in the BBC Three
drama pilot
West 10 LDN
.
Walters appeared in six episodes of the fourth series of BBC TV drama Hustle
, playing the character Billy Bond
.
One Flew In (18 April 2007) - Billy Bond
Signing Up to Wealth (25 April 2007) - Billy Bond
Getting Even (2 May 2007) - Billy Bond
A Designers Paradise (9 May 2007) - Billy Bond
Conning the Artists (16 May 2007) - Billy Bond
Big Daddy Calling (23 May 2007) - Billy Bond
MTV
series Top Buzzer
and played the role of "Al B" in the 2006 production House of 9
alongside Dennis Hopper.
Walters has appeared on stage at the National Theatre
in Roy William's Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads and the Royal Court Theatre
in Levi David Addai's Oxford Street. Another feature film, Tuesday, sees him playing a jewel thief alongside John Simm
, Philip Glenister
and Cristian Solimeno
. He appeared in Bola Agbaje's play Off the Endz at the Royal Court Theatre
during February and March 2010.
He made appearances in police drama The Bill
and firefighting drama London's Burning
.
Walters' Grange Hill history and autobiography, was referenced by the comedian Stewart Lee
on 16 March 2009, on the BBC2 show Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle
in the episode themed on "Toilet Books". He also appeared in 2009's TV adaptation of Small Island
and as Jack Holt in the ill-fated drama Outcasts (TV series)
on the BBC in February and March 2011.
For the BBC Learning project "Off By Heart Shakespeare", Walters delivered one of Shakespeare’s best known speeches, "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" from Romeo and Juliet
.
In October 2011, Walters starred in the Arjun Rose
slasher 'Demons Never Die'
From 31 October 2011, Asher D (Ashley Walters) was the main character (Dushane) in one off drama (4-DAY) 'Top Boy
' alongside Kano (Kane Robinson)- (Sully) and Scorcher- (Kamale).
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
rapper, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Personal life
He was born in PeckhamPeckham
Peckham is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
, London and raised by his mother, Pamela Case, a local government officer. He attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School is an independent fee-paying stage school, in Westminster, London, named after its founder and Principal, Sylvia Young.-Outline:...
, in London, from the age of 6. After graduating from the Sylivia Young Theatre School, Walters starred in some of the more popular stage productions at the time.
He has two sons and two daughters with partner Natalie.
Music career
Musically, he is best known as Asher D in the group So Solid CrewSo Solid Crew
So Solid Crew is an electronic and urban musical collective from South London, England, whose hits include "Oh No " and "21 Seconds", the latter reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart in August 2001. Another hit, "They Don't Know", reached number three in November 2001 and "Haters" got to...
. He enjoyed relative success as a lyricist, particularly for their number 1 hit "21 Seconds
21 Seconds
"21 Seconds" is a song by the UK garage act So Solid Crew. It is included on their debut album They Don't Know. The song was released as a single on Relentless Records in 2001. It charted at a peak position of number-one in the UK Singles Chart in August 2001, while it peaked just outside the top...
". After the group split, he went on to focus on other projects, most recently 2006's In Memory of the Street Fighter, featuring the single "Andrea".
Asher D released a studio album in 2008 on AD82 records, entitled The Appetiser, a twelve track affair produced by both Asher D and Laurence Ezra.
With Dewi Bruce Konuah, he co-owns a production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
, AD82 Productions, specialising in talent in the British music and film industries.
Conviction
Following an argument with a traffic wardenTraffic warden
A traffic warden is a non-warranted officer employed by a statutory authority in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Ireland, to assist in regulating the flow of traffic.- Ireland :...
in July 2001, he was found to be carrying a loaded Brocock air pistol
Air gun
An air gun is a rifle , pistol , or shotgun that fires projectiles by means of compressed air or other gas, in contrast to a firearm, which burns a propellant. Most air guns use metallic projectiles as ammunition. Air guns that only use plastic projectiles are classified as airsoft...
modified to fire live ammunition. He was arrested and, in 2002, jailed for eighteen months, in a young offenders' institute. Having spent the previous nine months in custody, he subsequently served an additional nine months to complete his sentence.
Acting career
Asher D is also an actor, appearing under his full name, Ashley Walters. He appeared in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles at age 10 and Grange HillGrange Hill
Grange Hill is a British television drama series originally made by the BBC. The show began in 1978 on BBC1 and was one of the longest running programmes on British television...
at age 14 (in the role of "Andy"). He appeared in Bullet Boy
Bullet Boy
Bullet Boy is a 2005 film directed by Saul Dibb, written by Saul Dibb and Catherine Johnson, and stars Ashley Walters. The film's original music was composed and performed by Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, who released it as an album...
, where he played Ricky who just came out of jail to start a new life/role, and was named Best Newcomer for the role, at the British Independent Film Awards. He also appeared in Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005 film)
Get Rich or Die Tryin' is a 2005 crime drama film starring 50 Cent. It was released on November 9, 2005, and was known as Locked and Loaded during production. Similar to the 2002 Eminem film 8 Mile, which it used as a template, the film is a loosely-based semi-autobiographical film account of 50...
alongside rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
.
He played the role of "Wolf" in film Stormbreaker
Stormbreaker (film)
Stormbreaker is a 2006 British spy film based on Anthony Horowitz's novel of the same name, the first novel in the Alex Rider series. It stars newcomer Alex Pettyfer as the teenage spy alongside actors Mickey Rourke and Bill Nighy...
, and "Danny" in the film Life and Lyrics
Life and Lyrics
Life and Lyrics is a 2006 British film directed by Richard Laxton and starring Ashley Walters, a former member of the garage band So Solid Crew....
from which he has received many plaudits. He has filmed WΔZ, alongside Selma Blair
Selma Blair
Selma Blair is an American actress who has worked in film, theatre and television. She has performed in feature films including Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, The Sweetest Thing, Hellboy, The Fog, Purple Violets and Hellboy II: The Golden Army...
and Melissa George
Melissa George
Melissa Suzanne George is an Australian film and television actress who has worked in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Melissa is perhaps best known for her role as Angel Parrish on the Australian soap opera Home and Away...
, and Sugarhouse Lane. He played Lacey in the BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
drama pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
West 10 LDN
West 10 LDN
West 10 LDN is a BBC drama starring Ashley Madekwe, Noel Clarke, and Ashley Walters. It is set in the fictional Greenside council housing estate in West London....
.
Walters appeared in six episodes of the fourth series of BBC TV drama Hustle
Hustle (TV series)
Hustle is a British television drama series made by Kudos Film and Television for BBC One in the United Kingdom. Created by Tony Jordan and first broadcast in 2004, the series follows a group of con artists who specialise in "long cons" – extended deceptions which require greater commitment, but...
, playing the character Billy Bond
Billy Bond
Billy Bond is a character in the popular BBC television show Hustle. He is played by Ashley Walters.Billy Bond was the newest member of the Hustle crew. He joined in series 4 after Michael Stone departed the group...
.
One Flew In (18 April 2007) - Billy Bond
Signing Up to Wealth (25 April 2007) - Billy Bond
Getting Even (2 May 2007) - Billy Bond
A Designers Paradise (9 May 2007) - Billy Bond
Conning the Artists (16 May 2007) - Billy Bond
Big Daddy Calling (23 May 2007) - Billy Bond
MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
series Top Buzzer
Top Buzzer
Top Buzzer was a British sitcom written by Johnny Vaughan, styled as television's first ever "dope opera". It was shown on MTV in 2004 and later repeated on Five. It was released on DVD on 24 October 2005. It revolves around two small-time cannabis dealers, Lee and Sticky , and their customers...
and played the role of "Al B" in the 2006 production House of 9
House of 9
House of 9 is a 2005 thriller film directed by Steven R. Monroe and starring Dennis Hopper. The film was first released in France at the Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2004, followed by a limited release in the United States.- Premise :...
alongside Dennis Hopper.
Walters has appeared on stage at the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in Roy William's Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads and the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in Levi David Addai's Oxford Street. Another feature film, Tuesday, sees him playing a jewel thief alongside John Simm
John Simm
John Simm is an English stage and screen actor. In recent years he is best known for his roles as Sam Tyler in the detective drama Life on Mars and as The Master in the revival of the science fiction series Doctor Who, but he has also starred in many highly acclaimed award-winning television...
, Philip Glenister
Philip Glenister
Philip Haywood Glenister is an English actor, known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt in British television series Life On Mars and its sequel Ashes To Ashes.-Television and films:...
and Cristian Solimeno
Cristian Solimeno
Cristian Solimeno is an English actor.He has played Jason Turner in Footballers Wives, and has also had a number of guest roles in other British television series, and appeared in the 2000 film Dead Babies, 2005 Happy New Year special of The Vicar of Dibley and the 2006 series Strictly Confidential...
. He appeared in Bola Agbaje's play Off the Endz at the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
during February and March 2010.
He made appearances in police drama The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
and firefighting drama London's Burning
London's Burning
London's Burning was a British television drama programme produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network that focused on the lives of members of the London Fire Brigade, principally those of the Blue Watch at a fictional fire station called Blackwall.It was broadcast between 1986 and...
.
Walters' Grange Hill history and autobiography, was referenced by the comedian Stewart Lee
Stewart Lee
Stewart Lee is an English stand-up comedian, writer and director known for being one half of the 1990s comedy duo Lee and Herring, and for co-writing and directing the critically acclaimed and controversial stage show Jerry Springer - The Opera...
on 16 March 2009, on the BBC2 show Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle is a comedy series created by Stewart Lee.The BBC Two series debuted on 16 March 2009, and featured stand-up routines and sketches performed by Simon Munnery, Kevin Eldon and Paul Putner amongst others. Peter Serafinowicz recorded voice-over parts. The series is...
in the episode themed on "Toilet Books". He also appeared in 2009's TV adaptation of Small Island
Small Island (television drama)
Small Island is a two-part 2009 BBC One television drama adapted from the 2004 novel of the same title by Andrea Levy. The programme stars Naomie Harris and Ruth Wilson as joint respective female protagonists Hortense Roberts and Queenie Bligh, two women who struggle to fulfil their personal...
and as Jack Holt in the ill-fated drama Outcasts (TV series)
Outcasts (TV series)
Outcasts is an eight-part 2011 British television science-fiction drama serial, starring Liam Cunningham, Hermione Norris, Amy Manson, Daniel Mays, Jamie Bamber, Eric Mabius and Ashley Walters. It originally aired on BBC One, and BBC HD.-Plot:...
on the BBC in February and March 2011.
For the BBC Learning project "Off By Heart Shakespeare", Walters delivered one of Shakespeare’s best known speeches, "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" from Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
.
In October 2011, Walters starred in the Arjun Rose
Arjun Rose
-Current:Arjun Paul Rose is the writer/director of upcoming British slasher Demons Never Die starring Robert Sheehan, Tulisa Contostavlos, Ashley Walters and Reggie Yates...
slasher 'Demons Never Die'
From 31 October 2011, Asher D (Ashley Walters) was the main character (Dushane) in one off drama (4-DAY) 'Top Boy
Top Boy
Top Boy is a British television drama series, which was first broadcast on Channel 4. The four episodes were broadcast over consecutive nights, from 31 October to 3 November 2011. Set on the fictional Summerhouse housing estate in Hackney, North London, the series follows the lives of a group of...
' alongside Kano (Kane Robinson)- (Sully) and Scorcher- (Kamale).
Filmography
- Born RomanticBorn RomanticBorn Romantic is a 2000 British film directed by David Kane. The film is centered around a salsa club. Fergus is trying to find his ex-girlfriend, the elderly charmer Frankie the beautiful Eleanor and the robber Eddie is trying to find one of his victims, cemetery worker Jocelyn.-Plot:Salsa dancing...
(2000) - Get Rich or Die Tryin'Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005 film)Get Rich or Die Tryin' is a 2005 crime drama film starring 50 Cent. It was released on November 9, 2005, and was known as Locked and Loaded during production. Similar to the 2002 Eminem film 8 Mile, which it used as a template, the film is a loosely-based semi-autobiographical film account of 50...
(2005) - Bullet BoyBullet BoyBullet Boy is a 2005 film directed by Saul Dibb, written by Saul Dibb and Catherine Johnson, and stars Ashley Walters. The film's original music was composed and performed by Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, who released it as an album...
(2005) - House of 9House of 9House of 9 is a 2005 thriller film directed by Steven R. Monroe and starring Dennis Hopper. The film was first released in France at the Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2004, followed by a limited release in the United States.- Premise :...
(2005) - Life and LyricsLife and LyricsLife and Lyrics is a 2006 British film directed by Richard Laxton and starring Ashley Walters, a former member of the garage band So Solid Crew....
(2006) - StormbreakerStormbreaker (film)Stormbreaker is a 2006 British spy film based on Anthony Horowitz's novel of the same name, the first novel in the Alex Rider series. It stars newcomer Alex Pettyfer as the teenage spy alongside actors Mickey Rourke and Bill Nighy...
(2006) - SugarhouseSugarhouse (film)-Plot:Sugarhouse tells the story of Tom , a middle class British man who attempts to make a mysterious purchase from a crack addict, portrayed by rapper and actor Ashley Walters. The intended purchase is complicated by the involvement of a local drug dealer named Hoodwink, portrayed by Andy Serkis...
(2007) - WΔZ (2008)
- HustleHustleHustle commonly refers to:* A confidence trick, deceptions performed by hustlers or grifters* The tradecraft of a hustler who deceives others by hustling, usually in sports* A slang word in America, meaning to get money, with no concern as to the legallity...
(2008) - Dead Man RunningDead Man RunningDead Man Running is a 2009 British crime film directed by Alex De Rakoff and written by Alex De Rakoff and John Luton. The film was budgeted on $1 million...
(2009) - OutcastsOutcasts (TV series)Outcasts is an eight-part 2011 British television science-fiction drama serial, starring Liam Cunningham, Hermione Norris, Amy Manson, Daniel Mays, Jamie Bamber, Eric Mabius and Ashley Walters. It originally aired on BBC One, and BBC HD.-Plot:...
(2010) - Fifth ElementThe Fifth ElementThe Fifth Element is a 1997 French science fiction film directed, co-written, and based on a story by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich...
- AnuvahoodAnuvahoodAnuvahood is an urban comedy film directed by Adam Deacon. Starring Adam Deacon, Paul Kaye, Wil Johnson, Ollie Barbieri, Femi Oyeniran, Jocelyn Jee Esien and Ashley Walters as the lead stars, Anuvahood was released on March 18, 2011...
(2011) - SketSketSket is an urban retribution thriller film set in East London from the makers of Shank and Anuvahood. Starring Lily Loveless, Aimee Kelly, Adelayo Adedayo, Emma Hartley-Miller, Slaine Kelly, Varada Sethu, Ashley Walters and Richie Campbell as the lead stars...
(2011)
So Solid Crew albums
- They Don't KnowThey Don't Know (album)They Don't Know is the debut album by UK garage and grime outfit So Solid Crew. It was released on November 11, 2001. The album features the singles "Oh No ", "They Don't Know", "Haters" and the UK singles chart topping "21 Seconds"....
— Released 2001, Reached UK Number 4 - Fuck It — Released 2001 (Remix album)
- 2nd Verse2nd Verse (album)2nd Verse is the second album by UK garage and urban music collective So Solid Crew, and the follow-up to They Don't Know. It was released on September 29, 2003...
— Released 2003, Reached UK Number 44
Solo albums
- Why Me? — Unreleased garage album
- Street Sibling — Released June 2004
- Cure for Cancer Mixtape — Released June 2006
- In Memory of the Street Fighter — Released October 2006
- The Appetiser — Released November 2007
- Ashley Walters - Released 2009
Singles
- "Back in the Day / Why Me?" — Released May 2002 - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#43 - "Andrea" — Released January 2007
- "Don't Feel Like Dancin'" — Released March 2007
- "M.O.,Pt.2 - EP" - Released 27 October 2008
- "Woah!" - Released October 2008
- "With YouWith You (Ashley Walters song)"With You" is a song written and performed by Ashley Walters and Mutya Buena. It was produced by the team Swindle Productions for Ashley Walters's 2009 self-titled album, and was released as his second single from the album.-Music video:...
" (with Mutya BuenaMutya BuenaRosa Isabel Mutya Buena is an English recording artist who rose to fame as a member of girl group the Sugababes. With the Sugababes, Buena had four UK number one singles, an additional six top-ten hits and three multi-platinum albums. After leaving the group in December 2005, she released her...
)" - Released January 2009 - "Own Two Feet (with ChipmunkChipmunk (rapper)Jahmaal Noel Fyffe known by his stage name Chipmunk, is a British hip hop rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, London....
)" - Released May 2009