A$AP Rocky’s momentum since he first released his mixtape Live.Love.A$AP a year and a half ago is somewhat of an enigma. A little time and a $3 million record deal with Sony later, the 24-year-old Harlem native released his debut studio album, Long.Live.A$AP, chronicling his rags to riches stories, addressing beef in the industry, his love affair with fashion, and, of course, his love of women.
Released back in April, the first single “Goldie” certainly makes a splash. A$AP shocks listeners with his vocal range and ability to manipulate his voice, making it hard to believe he is the sole artist rapping on this track.
“My Martin was a Maison rocked Margiela’s with no laces” drops one of many fashion references on the album. In fact, it’s only right for the ninth most fashionable rapper (according to Complex magazine) to dedicate an entire song to fashion. On “Fashion Killa,” A$AP not only drops the big names in fashion like Versace and Prada, but also gets into the more avant-garde crevices of the industry, mentioning the likes of Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, and Ann Demeulemeester. Of course, staying true to his interests, the song also revolves around how fashionable his girls are.
On “Fuckin’ Problem,” A$AP brings in the big name hip hop artists of today—Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar. What is the fuckin’ problem? Bitches and fucking. The minimal beat showcases the verses nicely and works well with the hook, which is catchy and lyrically simple. Each rapper’s verse leaves a bit to be desired, tie together nicely as each ends his verse with an egotistical line asserting their toughness and game and the term “beast.”
“Phoenix” is a striking track on the album, lacking the signature slow, simple, and heavy bass line in most of A$AP’s tracks. Produced by Danger Mouse, the cockatoo-less half of Gnarls Barkley, somber piano notes build up as A$AP speaks of his rough roots in Harlem.
Featuring Skrillex, “Wild for the Night” is an even greater departure from the mood and style of the rest of the album. Skrillex holds back his explosive style of dubstep and it all blends nicely with A$AP’s vocals, which he again magically manipulates to fit the medium.
A solid debut, Long.Live.A$AP is the perfect embodiment of the wit and experimental style that has thrown this recently obscure artist into the adoring arms of mainstream hip hop.
