Boots

Boots functions as the professional alias for Florida native Jordan "Jordy" Asher, a vocalist, composer, MC, beatmaker, and multi-instrumentalist. His reputation rests on an eclectic method that blends dense, progressive strains of R&B, hip-hop, and rock. Initial notice arrived through contributions to Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album. Raised near Miami, Asher left high school early and built an early profile by playing in several South Florida groups such as Stonefox, Blond Fuzz, and Young Circles. A bandmate reportedly coined the name Boots because of Asher’s habitual footwear during those years.

In 2011 he assembled the fleeting indie project Blonds, whose only full-length effort, the 2012 album The Bad Ones, circulated with positive online notice. When the band dissolved in 2013, Asher found himself without housing and sleeping in his vehicle. A rough version of the track “Onto You” reached Beyoncé, prompting her to reach out about possible collaboration. Asher then secured a publishing arrangement through Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and entered the studio with Beyoncé. The demo evolved into her song “Haunted,” while additional joint productions from Asher appeared on the same record, ultimately placing him on credits for more than half its songs.

Following the album’s launch, Asher began posting solo material such as “Dust,” “Howl,” and “Autumn (Lude I),” the last featuring Kelela’s vocals. These pieces, together with rumored appearances by Sia Furler, Beyoncé, and additional guests, were gathered on the 2014 mixtape Winter Spring Summer Fall. His association with Beyoncé also yielded a revised take on “Crazy in Love” for the 2015 Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. That year he issued his debut official EP, the five-track Motorcycle Jesus, whose brooding, low-end-heavy single was titled “I Run Roulette.” Production work followed for Run the Jewels on RTJ2, Meow the Jewels, and RTJ3, as well as for FKA twigs’ third EP, M3LL155X. Late in 2015 he delivered his first proper studio album, AQUARIA.