A$AP Rocky- Live.Love.A$AP
A$AP Rocky born, Rakim Mayers was the hope for Harlem with his illustrious campaign in 2011. Fresh out the oven with his debut single, Purple Swag, A$AP has managed to hold his name as the hottest rookie. He honestly had a following I have never seen before.
A$AP’s music was special because it was a fuse between Harlem’s rap about things that sounded lavish such as recreational drugs to A$AP Rocky mixed with a twist of down south Houston with a twist of UK Grime. Before Pop Smoke, A$AP Rocky was the NY rapper to have a fanbase running crazy over seas. A$AP Rocky’s A$AP Mob became the biggest sensation creating culture, art, & fashion a must rather than a want. Because the game was growing and unfortunately, 50 Cent transitioned from rapper to business man for that time period; ASAP Rocky was one of those who put NY Rap back on the radar. I felt that deeply because I love New York rap and I had to give him a chance because of the background.
Listening to his music was very different from the typical New York rapper’s I grew up listening to. Transitions in the NY rap game was one of those things that was going to happen regardless. The combination of styles Rocky put together made an cultural influence for all Hip-Hop Heads.
On Oct 31, 2011, A$AP dropped Live.Love.A$AP which sounded like old school Harlem in the middle of the dance floor. Feeling this album made me want to go to college just to get lit but apparently this album had sure of an influence to the culture. You could not listen to this album without any type of way than to be seen in the college party scenes where the DJ is playing dub step to entertain the crowd.
I will go track by track to tell why each song was special and to declare it’s purpose.
- Palace- This is God’s intro and this reminded me so much of a Juelz Santana track because of how efficient he composed this song. Palace is the perfect example of NY’s comeback as the world leans towards the Kendrick, Cole, & Drake crowds. Clams Casino is the producer of the track and he did a great instrumentation with picking out the sounds and piecing together the score intro of the mixtape/album. He shows southern homage as he shouts out Master P claiming he bout it bout it.
- Peso- An introduction to who A$AP Rocky is and his purpose with his music. Influencing those to treat art and make it meticulous. Giving further detail to what he is saying over beats This beat made by A$AP Ty Beats made this beat a memorable for the Harlem rap scene
- Bass- Bass should of had Skepta or Giggs on the remix. Although, this song would be perfect for a UK Crime show. Clams Casino did a great job at making this beat sound theatrical
- Wassup- A hippy way of celebrating life. Clams Casino made this sound like a club beat but A$AP made this sound like a street anthem more than anything else.
- Brand New Guy Feat. Schoolboy Q- Q’s verse though was nice paying homage to 50 Cent who I just referenced as an elite NY rapper for that generation of the time. Lyle is the producer and he made this sound like a score to a car chase in a crime show.
- Purple Swag: Chapter 2 Feat. Space Ghost Purp & A$AP Nast- A great posse cut and this part 2 is the only version you will hear if you get this album. The beat to this sounded like a slow motion fight scene in the Matrix.
- Get Lit Feat. Fat Tony- Get lit is produced by Souffein 3000 and it sounded like another night club anthem. This is one of those songs you listen to on the way to the club.
- Trilla Feat. A$AP Twelvy & A$AP Nast- A down south banger that I can see myself riding candy paint cars to.
- Keep It G Feat. Chance Infinite & Space Ghost Purp- If A$AP Rocky & Space Ghost Purp never had beef, there would be more A$AP Raider Clan collaboration’s. The unity that Rocky & Purp showed at the time proved Hip-Hop was to unite, not divide.
- Kissin Pink Feat. A$AP Ferg- My favorite song on the album because it reminded me so much of an 80’s pop hit. Something that would be more of a throwback rather than new wave for those who appreciate music back then. The hook where the chorus repeats ‘She is all that I want” along with Ferg’s energy matched the song and the feel.
- Houston Old Head- All that was missing was J.Prince, Scarface, or Bun B on this track.
- Acid Drip- A song about Lucy.
- Leaf Feat. Main Attrakionz- Hardest beat on the song that brought back the grimey style of New York rap. Clams Casino became the new Just Blaze after this song to me.
- Roll One Up- DJ Burn 1 had a purpose to be on this smokers anthem
- Demons- A dope sample beat to relax to. Beats like this make’s the room look more classier. He said “ Fuck the click you with/ I finna fuck the chick you next to” shows off his confidence as he boast himself over this clever/smoothing/relaxing Clams Casino beat.
- Out Of This World- A$AP’s outro as he leaves an impression on this album. This is where A$AP Rocky raps his heart out as he raps, “ Its money over bitches/ Ain’t no room for a skeezer”, That showcases how A$AP Rocky puts his bros over hoes. Being confident on the song as he is getting compared to Drake early but also said he could of took J.Cole’s job at Roc Nation if he met Hova first.
Overall
A$AP Rocky made an impressive mixtape debut as he introduces us to his world of Harlem. Being able to compete in the new era, A$AP Rocky to me began an underground wave so hard, it reminded me of when Eminem signed 50 Cent because New York was back on lock and competing again.
To me, I had more faith in New York rap longer than those who have faith in the Knicks. The point being is New York rap is like a sport’s team. You ride by them good or bad and if they were doing bad, they were rebuilding. Apparently, Rocky took it into his heights and rebuild NY rap to the point it was relevant again. Along with French Montana, Fred The Godson, and Sean Price when he went solo, A$AP managed to create a cult following for all Hip Hop heads to remember with Live.Love.A$AP.
Live From The Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
