ttgapers.com

A joiner as well as a mason by trade, Asher was forced to give up those professions after he developed an allergy to sawdust. He also lost his left index finger when it was cut off while using a table saw. Roughly four years ago, Asher began performing regularly on the local underground circuit as well as the many conscious reggae dances held around the country.

Today music is Asher's major source of income. He plays the tenor pan and in fact arranges for the New Age Trendsetters Steel Orchestra alongside his father, Glenford Sobers, the band's leader. Asher does not write down his songs when he composes them, but memorises the lyrics, just as chart-topping North American hip-hop artiste, Guerilla Black does. "I compose and sing from the heart, so whatever comes out is natural and I don't have to write it down. I don't change my lyrics once they are set, I remember them," Asher said.

Asher said he is aware that even children are singing his song, but made it clear that he does not in any way advocate that children and youths should smoke marijuana. He further explained that smoking marijuana is not for everyone because there are risks. Asher also said that he does not intend for the song to promote violence against police or anyone for that matter and that the reference to the use of a rocket launcher to blow the police helicopter out of the sky is a metaphor to illustrate the anger a farmer feels when he sees his crops being destroyed.

"Herb is not for everyone. It have people who will smoke and trip. My music is not about promoting hate and violence, it's about uplifting people. I may not be able to change the world, but I can lead people into thinking differently about life and living with each other. Also, the lyrics in the song that tell about the rocket launcher, does not mean that people should kill police. I am showing the anger that a farmer has inside when he sees his field being burnt. That anger and frustration is real," Asher said.

Asher is preparing for several upcoming trips to New York, England and several Caribbean islands where the song has also created an impact. "Ganja Planter" is his first recording and was done two years ago. Although it only hit the radio stations roughly a month ago the song had been circulating within the reggae underground.

Asher has just released another single entitled "I Love You", which is taking some time to pick up. He will soon release a track called, "Love In Need", which is a cover of a Stevie Wonder song. Together with his executive producer, Carl "Beaver" Henderson, Asher is currently putting finishing touches to his debut CD collection. Incidentally, Henderson has had a hand in most of the locally produced non calypso/soca songs that have become classics over the past three decades including the evergreen ballad "Fool In Love" and anti-drug anthem "White Horse".