Asheru

Gabriel «Asheru» Benn is an American hip hop artist and educator best known for performing the opening theme of the animated series The Boondocks, work that earned him a Peabody Award — making him the first hip hop artist to receive that honor. Alongside his recording career, he built a parallel life as a teacher and school administrator in the Washington, D.C. area, blending his artistry with youth advocacy.

His sound sits in conscious, boom-bap-rooted hip hop, marked by literate lyricism and a socially engaged perspective rather than chart-oriented pop appeal. Beyond The Boondocks, he is known for songs like «Judo Flip» and «Mood Swing», which reflect his interest in storytelling and cultural commentary.

Asheru is equally recognized for founding Guerilla Arts Ink and the Hip Hop Educational Literacy Program (H.E.L.P.), initiatives that use hip hop lyrics as tools for literacy instruction in schools nationwide. This dual identity as artist and educator has made him a notable figure in the broader Hip Hop Education movement.