Ashtrobot

Ash Winston Riser (August 29, 1989 – June 12, 2021), also known by his former stage name Ashtrobot, was an American recording artist and music producer. Born and raised in California, he embarked on his music career when he was 15 years old, forming a rock band called Pistol Pistol (stylized P!stol P!stol). Due to differences between members, the band broke up in 2009 and Riser subsequently began to put his focus on music production, fusing electronic and hip hop music, among other genres. Riser later began working with longtime friend, Derek Ali of Top Dawg Entertainment, who introduced him to West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar, with whom he began heavily collaborating. Riser would go on to sign a record deal with Israeli music producer Borgore's record label, Buygore and also had a production deal with Chest Rockwell Entertainment. During his life, Riser had played multiple sold-out shows with fellow label-mates and musicians such as ETC! ETC!, Kennedy Jones, Ookay, Protohype and Dirtyphonics. Ashtrobot

Life and career Ash Winston Riser was born on August 29, 1989, in Redondo Beach, California. It was here he first encountered music and founded his rock band, Pistol Pistol (stylized P!stol P!stol), at the young age of 15. The band, which he formed with high-school classmates, initially started out as a cover band, covering songs by Weezer and The Strokes, among other bands. His first serious music project [P!stol P!stol], was a great success with appearances on The Drop on Sí TV and music featured on ESPN. During their time together, P!stol P!stol released an album titled The Cause. In 2009, Riser was featured on Lamar's debut extended play (EP), Kendrick Lamar, on a bonus track titled "Determined". Lamar and Riser collaborated again in 2010, for Lamar's Overly Dedicated project, appearing on the song "Barbed Wire". In 2011, Riser was featured on Lamar's Section.80 project, lending his vocals on the tracks, "Keisha's Song" and "Ronald Reagan Era".

In July 2011, Riser released an EP under his label, D.R.E.A.M. Brigade Recordings. The EP, titled 21st Century Electric Church Music, is a collection of songs compiled by different artists and includes Riser's song, "Ghetto Blastuh". Riser then began collaborating with Lamar's Black Hippy cohort and TDE label-mate, Ab-Soul. Riser was featured on "Beautiful Death", from Ab-Soul's 2012 project, Control System. In 2013, Riser signed a recording contract with Israeli music producer Borgore's record label Buygore, as well as his management company, Buygore Management. Around that time, Riser also signed a production deal with Chest Rockwell Entertainment, founded by Greg Ogan and Spencer Neezy. On April 22, 2015, Riser released an EP titled Modern Medicine, which he mixed, mastered, produced and recorded by himself. In June 2015, when asked if he was still with Buygore, Riser responded with: "not since 2014".

On June 22, 2016, Riser released his third EP that year, titled R.I.S.E., which includes productions from 808 Mafia, Metro Boomin, Sonny Digital, TM88 and Zaytoven. Released: August 29, 2012 Label: Archwood Music, D.R.E.A.M Formats: Digital download

Released: September 9, 2013 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: September 16, 2013 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: April 22, 2015 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: January 7, 2016 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: June 20, 2016 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: June 22, 2016 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: April 18, 2018 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Released: April 21, 2021 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download

Singles As lead artist + List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "Ghetto Blastuh" 2011 21st Century Electric Church Music "160 Levels" (with Mychael K) 2012 "Moon Cry" (featuring Papo and Mike G) 2017 Ghosts "Impressed" 2018 "Howl" "20 Something" "Hallelujah"

As featured artist + List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name Title Year Album "Rock Me" (Chris Moody featuring Ashtrobot) 2012 The Beginning "Get Sore" (Atom Pushers & Choppa Dunks featuring Ash Riser) 2014

Guest appearances

Remixes 2010 "Glaciers (Ashtrobot remix)" by Her Majesty & the Wolves 2011 "When I Look At You (Ashtrobot remix)" by Emalkay "She Will (Ashtrobot remix)" by Lil Wayne "Beg for Mercy (Ashtrobot remix)" by Adam Lambert "Purple Swag (Ashtrobot remix)" by ASAP Rocky 2014 "Oakland (Ash Riser remix)" by Vell "No Type (Ash Riser remix)" by Rae Sremmurd 2015 "Run Ricky Run (Ashtrobot remix)" by Manolo Rose

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards Year Nominated work Award Result 2016 To Pimp a Butterfly (as background vocalist) Best Rap Album