Workout Playlist: A Little Auditory Assistance at the Gym

What’s worse than working out? Working out to no music. And don’t give me that “they play music on the radio” bullshit. It’s either to low to give a damn, or too loud to distract you and get on your nerves. You might as well be working out with no music.

Well, in case you haven’t figured it out, I’m a little bit of a music fan. So here is, what I believe the ideal utopian workout list should be. Sync it to the MP3 player, and if you don’t have the songs…well you know how to get them. Whether you’re a fan of these bands or not, we challenge you to try a workout with these songs.  Just don’t hurt anybody!

“Soldier” by Eminem

“ These shoulders hold up so much they wont budge…Ill never fall or fold up.” What other words are better for a true soldier? Eminem delivers aggression, adrenaline, and bad-assity (Yeah, I just made that up) in this song. Militant beat with the assault of Marshall Mathers makes this one definitely make my list.

“Awake” by Godsmack

Navy. Accelerate you life. Remember that commercial? Not the newer ones, but the one with the heavy grunge guitars and that booming voice. The hard rock veterans Godsmack did that. Funny enough, the song that the Navy used after Awake was Sick Of Life, also done by Godsmack. Basically anything Godsmack can be used to work out.

“So Cold” By Breaking Benjamin

Structurally, this song is perfect for working out on one piece of heavy lifting. The beginning is soft, so get your breathing right before the exercise. Musical buildup brings you to the main riff. (Heavy guitars, melodic soloing on top…punch it all out) The song comes back down, and there is your first set of reps. This continues on throughout the song. Check it out, you will see.

“Victory” by Puff Daddy feat. Busta Rhymes and Notorious B.I.G.

The Rocky Balboa fanfare. The church bells in the horizon. The horns so triumphant. Makes you want to be a superhero almost. But since you’re just working out, this will do. Busta brings it in the chorus, P Diddy and Biggie divide the rest of the air time, bringing you the best of Brooklyn in the trifecta. There is also a 50 Cent version which is entitled Victory 2004 which has P Diddy.  Busta’s animal touch, while shouting his verse, is enough to make you burn a city to the ground.

“Amazing” by Kanye West feat. Young Jeezy

Let me tell you one thing. If I was an amazing monster, then I believe I’d be pretty jacked. Kanye West never ceases to amaze us with another amazing song. It’s simple and cutthroat. I’m amazing and I’m a monster! The first verse states, “I’m exhausted, barely breathing/Holding onto what I believe in//” Greatness for working out wouldn’t you agree?

…Other songs that make the list even better…

Trapt – Headstrong

Kanye West – Stronger

Nas – Hip Hop Is Dead

N.E.R.D – Rockstar

Rage Against The Machine – Calm Like a Bomb

Papoose – Born To Win

Sevendust – Driven

Shinedown – Devour

Some guy grabbed your girlfriend’s ass, spit in your face,  or even jumped your friend… whatever the reason is you need to get pumped up for a fight. Well, here are a few songs that could get your heart pumping and your mind focused.

TILL I COLLAPSE BY EMINEM

This song makes you feel like your ready to go to war, with laser like precision and focus.

ROCKSTAR BY N.E.R.D.

This song is a personal favorite of mine, makes me wanna knockout a greasy-guido-steroid-enhanced-poser.

TWINZ BY BIG PUN

If your new school and don’t know this song, you better get on the Punisher. This song has the sickest flows with an OG feel.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS BY METALLICA

Metallica dude, nuff said!

LAST MAN STANDING BY PEOPLE IN PLANES

A definite contrast to those listed above. A easy feel song with powerful lyrics that will keep you focused but your nerves calm. Sometimes its not the best thing to get your heart pumping 10000 miles an hour.

ROCK BOX BY RUN-DMC

Here’s another one to get you feeling loco! Smooth beat to calm the nerves and Run drops a sick verse to get you amped!

HEADSTRONG BY TRAPT

You all remember this one. When it came on the radio you just felt like breaking something,.. anything! Awesome song to get the blood boiling and the heart rate going!

Hope this helps you come the big moment! Let us know what you throw on before you throw down!

Whats Popping??

AR: I’m blessed to be here. I’m doing real well fam.

I want to get some background info. Where are you from? What you reppin’, etc.

AR: I’m 21 years from Morrisville, Pennsylvania which is like where I developed most of my character. Right there in Western Pennsylvania. Just recently in December of ’07 I moved down to ATL and I’ve been spending most of my time there.

What is the name Asher Roth?

AR: That’s my birth name. Asher is my grandfather’s (my mom’s father’s) middle name. His name is Joesph Asher McConnell so that comes from him. It’s actually a Jewish name but it comes from the Scottish part of my family and not the Jewish part which is ironic. So Asher Paul Roth is my full name. First name Asher! You get that! LOL.

How do you feel you define yourself as a musician?

AR: I’m real about my music. I really have to be feeling it in order to write it. I’m just not one of those dudes that will do something because it’s a good business opportunity or whatever. I really have to be feeling that shit. When my music comes out that’s what I try to promote. It’s how music changes your emotions. You can feel it when you listen to it and that’s all I want. I just want to make honest music.

What are your motivations to succeed in the industry?

AR: I can’t really say that I’m money driven. It’s more of a respect and message thing. That’s what I feel is missing from hip hop and more than any genre of music it got turned into a quick buck industry. ……My motivation is to bring back some of that integrity to hip hop. That respect that it deserves. There are a lot of people that do this for a living and it’s their mark. And that is not what is being showcased. My motivations are not the dollar signs but it’s more love. I mean we all need money but to do something that you love and be able to uplift people is a beautiful thing. Also, I just wanted to travel the world some, meet some beautiful people and make some good music.

To see the whole interview check out

http://hhnlive.com/features/more/455“>