Ashley Walters

Ashley Walters (a.k.a. Asher D) is a British rapper and actor. Born in 1982, Ashley always had a love for the arts from a very young age. Ashley took his first steps towards a career in entertainment at the tender age of 6 by attending the world renowned Sylvia Young school of performing arts. Here he focused primarily on his acting and dancing abilities and his talent was quickly spotted by many of the teachers who tipped him to one-day reach celebrity status. During his teenage years Ashley secured a number of West End theatre productions as well as important roles in TV shows such as ‘Grange Hill’, and the BBC film ‘Storm Damage’, however, Ashley began to emerge as a talented lyricist as well as an actor. With influences ranging from American hip-hop acts such as Busta Rhymes, to the emerging British sound of two-step garage, Asher decided to delve into the music scene. At 18, Asher worked on the album “They Don’t Know”, as part of the now infamous collective, So Solid Crew. In 2003 Ashley released his first solo album titled “Street Sibling”. The twelve-track collection was a contrast to the two-step sound Ashley had helped bring to the forefront of British music. Boasting funk-based grooves and R&B collaborations, along with underground hits, “Street Sibling” was a well-worked teaser of things to come. 2004 saw Ashley Walters concentrate on rebuilding his acting career alongside his musical aspirations. Starring in the National theatre production ‘Sing Your Heart Out for the Lads’ and the critically acclaimed film ‘Bullet Boy’, Ashley was thrust into the spotlight and is now quickly emerging as one of the film industry’s leading young talents. The success of Bullet Boy saw Ashley win a British Independent Film Award (BIFA) for best newcomer, helping him land further roles in major films such as the Hollywood blockbuster “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’”, and the upcoming film “Stormbreaker”, based on the novels Anthony Horowitz. He also stars with a leading role in the highly anticipated British film about a London DJ’s efforts to break into the music business, titled “Life and Lyrics”. Following on from the success of “Life & Lyrics”, Ashley landed lead roles in films ‘WAZ’, due for release spring 2008 & the recently released ‘Sugarhouse’. As well as this, Ashley recently starred in the new series of BBC’s hit series ‘Hustle’ as lead role Billy Bond. With his acting career booming, Ashley also spent his time writing his long-awaited sophomore album. The follow up to “Street Sibling” hit stores in May 2007, and is titled ‘In Memory of the Streetfighter’. Since the release, Ashley got back into the studio to record the pre-album release “The Appetiser”, which was given an exclusive release in November 2007. In 2008 Ashley put the finishing touches to his album before signing to Abstract Urban Records, home to Blak Twang, Baby J and Klashnekoff. “M.O. Part II” is the first single to be taken off his new album simply called “Ashley Walters”, the single features performances from Durrty Goodz & Sway. The album is set for February 2009 release and features guest appearances from the likes of Mutya Buena, Chipmunk & production from Baby J, Joe Buhdah & Swindle