A$AP Rocky Long Live A$AP

A$AP Rocky-Long Live A$AP-RCA-(2013)

Artist: A$AP Rocky

Album: Long Live A$AP

Label: A$AP Worldwide/RCA

Producers: Hitboy, T-Minus, Clams Casino, 40, Danger Mouse, others

Harlem’s straight shooter A$AP Rocky stunned the critics and got the fans respect with his debut mixtape “Live Love A$AP”. After the singing with RCA A$AP was ready to come out with the debut album but faced with delay problems of pushing the album back which almost didn’t see the light of day. After being pushed back four times, finally the anticipated album of “Long Live A$AP” has finally arrived for the fans to hear.

            Throughout the album has been an up and down movement. The album starts off very mundane with the title track that lyrically didn’t grab the listener but the water dripping bouncy production made this a track a listen. Going through the tough joints, there is some energy bouncing tracks. The 40 produced “Fucking Problems” featuring Drake, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz brings high energy for the clubs. It’s a catchy beat with the lyrics hit the nail on the head and 2 Chainz catchy choruses made this track executively well. “Goldie” fits A$AP really well with a bouncy beat laced by Hit-Boy which makes this a compatible match, “1 train” is a posse cut that hits home with big name artists that suited well over nicely laced string/synth beat while “Wild for the Night” has great production with a powerful bass but the lyrics sound forced. This beat was not intended for A$AP Rocky to get on.

            Without the beats, where does this album stand? Majority of the beats are up to par but some can be bland at times. Lyrically, this album does not stand on its own with the same theme of ego, women and success; sometimes he doesn’t have anything exciting to say. Tracks like “Fashion Killa” is very forgettable; good beat but the lyrics sound amateurish while “Pain” and “Suddenly” drain the consistency flow of A$AP which loses the listener. With a repetitious theme behind dope tracks, it may seem good in the short term but relatively boring in the end. It’s like an old school Blimpie sandwich the best dressed sandwich but with a very bland taste.  

            This album is not a disappointment with A$AP packaging an album with great production and guest appearances. Lyrically, A$AP just comes very repetitive with the same ole theme of a heightened ego. Essentially the message reveals that if you don’t give a fuck you are considered happy. Although not as fulfilling like the mixtape, A$AP’s debut album has some listenable tracks. This does not mean Rocky debut was a bust or a failure; the album had seesaw moments of some very impressive tracks and some really redundant ones. He still has what it takes to become the prominent rappers of today. He has what it takes to be the most recognized performances of the new era but this is not perfection that must people gas you to think so. If anyone tells A$AP about it, do you think he cares. Answer: NOPE!

            Strong Tracks: “Fucking Problem”, “1 Train”, “Goldie”

            Weak Tracks:  “Fashion Killa”, “Suddenly”

            Rating:out of