What’s up everyone its Big Rizzle and I’m going to be doing a track by track review of A$AP Rocky’s debut album Long.Live.A$AP. If you don't know who Rocky is, he is a young cat our of Harlem NY who uses many different styles and influences in his rhymes. One verse his inner Krazie Bone might come out and on the next line he might sound like Pimp C. Very versatile and has a very good flow. Not the greatest lyricist but he knows how to keep you listening. My opinions are mine and mine alone and if you want to make noise, send me a facebook message or leave a comment below.
1. Long Live A$AP (Produced by Jim Jonsin)
With this joint, Rocky runs head first out the gate. The beat casts a dark cloud over the rhymes and sets a tone for the test of the album. Over the mellow cadence, Rocky reflects on life as shown in the last line in verse one: “I wonder if they miss me, as long as I make history/
Now my soul is feeling empty, tell the reaper come and get me.” This self reflection on his past and future life tells me Rocky is grounded but at the same time self conscious of the people affected by his music. He wants to be in it for the long run, and with an opening track that seems to do nothing but look back into the past of a young rock and show us who he’s become, he should have no problem.
Beats - 9 Rhymes - 7 Life - 9
2. Goldie (Produced by Hit Boy)
Hit Boy is a fool for this one. This is hands down the best song on the album and it was released months ago. The way Rocky effortlessly levitates over the beat flaunting names of designers you’ve never heard of (let alone afford), and reminding you why he’s Pretty Flacko and everyone else is just...yeah. Every rapper has that track that boasts his wealth and its usually a track that stand out in their catalog; i.e. Jay-Z Big Pimpin, B.G. Bling Bling, Notorious BIG Hypnotize.. the list can go on. And while some of his raps are sub-par in this one, especially the 2 Chainz worthy second verse opener: “Yes I’m the shit, tell me do it stink/it feels good waking up to money in the bank”, he finds a way to bring it back together with his flow and delivery. The different pitches in his voice make it fun to listen to and the bass makes your speakers crave it.
Beats - 10 Rhymes - 6.5 Life - 10
3. PMW (Produced by T-Minus) Feat. Schoolboy Q
If Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole can do a project, these two can put something together. Everytime they get together its nothing but energy. Even though this joint isn’t the livest joint on the album the chemistry is still there. It’s like Mac and Devin go to college. If you haven’t found out what PMW stands for, its Pussy Money Weed. And to be honest its these three topics which encompass 75% of Rocky’s subject matter (the other 25 being fashion and violence). This song is basically a bachelors anthem, rhymes about one night stands and blowing loud is all the song is really about, nothing special, except the incredible chemistry between these two artists.
Beats - 7 Rhymes - 7.5 Life - 7.5
4. LVL (Produced by Clams Casino)
If you haven’t heard of Clams Casino, please for the love of God go get his beat tape. He’s like a mellow Flying Lotus. Anyway the chemistry between Clams Casino and Rocky was evident on the tracks he produced on Live Love A$AP. They team up again here to make a track that feels like its on lean (promethazine (prescription cough syrup) and sprite), which is right up Rocky’s alley. Given his deep influences with the Houston TX rap scene its easy for him to feel comfortable rhyming in a screwed state. As stated before he doesn’t necessarily have the metaphors and similes to keep most hip hoppers hitting rewind but the kid makes good music and thats what to be appreciated.
Beats - 10 Rhymes - 7 Life - 8
5. Hell (Produced by Clams Casino) Feat. Santigold
A back to back collab between Clams and Rocky would sound like a good idea but the whole song just doesn’t mesh right. The beat is straight and Rocky’s delivery and style is present but the Santigold feature just doesn’t mesh. She almost outdoes Rocky on his own track. Her voice is beautiful and Rocky’s lines seem a bit lazy. It’s a good song don’t get me wrong but it just doesn’t fit.
Beats - 9 Rhymes - 6.5 Life - 7.5
6. Pain (Produced by Soufien3000) Feat Overdoz
Back to back songs that just don’t serve a purpose. The sequence was Hell and Painful to listen to. This might be the worst song on the album. I’m not going to sit here and bash Rocky because the album has promise. This joint sounds better suited on a Tyler the Creater album. See if he can use this on Wolf. Just press skip.
Beats - 6 Rhymes - 5 Life - 3
7. Fucking Problems (Produced by 40 and Drake) Feat. Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar
I mean, this is the club banger on the CD. With the lineup you really can’t lose...can you? To be honest this is right up Rocky, Drake, and 2 Chainz alley....Kendrick though... not his best effort. Good thing 1 Train is on the album so he can redeem himself (we’ll get to that later). The song is basically about liking women and it being a problem and liking to fuck and its a ‘fucking’ problem. The joint went Gold, so I’m not gonna hate, I’ll just grab a shorty at the club the next time the joint comes on. Probably the only place I’ll listen to it.
Beats - 8 Rhymes - 7 Life - 7
8. Wild For The Night (Produced by Birdy Nam Nam and Skrillex)
This is my joint right here. When you hear the guitar and the screwed up Rocky talking you think its gonna be like that the whole time... Nah nigga....this joint hits the 0:42 second mark and turns into Optimus Prime. Rocky got on his Chase and Status/ MC Rage EuroTrip shit and straight hit this beat over the wall and out the park on some Big Papi shit. This track is hype, makes you wanna go to the gym and MAX out on everything. Rocky’s delivery is definitely on point and this is hands down one of the best joints on the album.
Beats - 10 Rhymes 8 Life - 9
9. 1 Train (Produced by Hit Boy) Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T.
Probably the most hyped track on the album because of, well, the features. Rocky tries his best to keep up but is left in the dust on this one (probably why he didn’t go last like most rappers do on their own posse cuts). Everyone steps their rap game up to Super Sayajin levels on this one but there are a few little nuances. First, Danny Brown just doesn’t fit on this joint and he’s probably my favorite rapper on the track. And second, the beat, its just not something I want to hear for like 7 minutes. I will admit, KRIT was on LEVEL 4 (you thinkin you can level more?) and deserved to cap the joint off.
Beats - 8 Rhymes - 10 Life - 10
10. Fashion Killa (Produced by Friendzone)
I guess this is the one for the ladies? Either way the beat is pretty dope, I especially like the hi-hat in the background. The track was really mixed well. Basically he finds a way to fit 30 different designer brands into a song... Nothing really more than that. I think he tries to sing too at the end...
Beats - 8 Rhymes - 5 Life - 6
11. Phoenix (Produced by DangerMouse)
DangerMouse huh? Where have you been? Anyway this track is reminiscent to the first few songs on the album with the dark undertones and Rocky just getting raw. He is really a deep person who can conceptualize and make you hear his feelings. Does a very good job of using imagery and painting a vivid picture of what he perceives as reality. One of the better cuts on the album because it actually makes you feel what hes saying. The opener to the second verse: “Bloody ink on my pen spelled suicide/Kurt Cobain even died ‘cause you scrutinize/ its a thin line between truth and lies/ Jesus Christ never lied but was crucified” is a good way to portray the ambience the song brings.
Beats - 9 Rhymes - 9 Life - 9
12. Suddenly (Produced By A$AP Rocky, Ty Beats)
This is another joint that is just mad mellow and his flow and delivery just find a way to make it beautiful. He goes back and forth between double timing the rap and keeping it trill and mellow, it takes skill to ride a beat like that. I love the sample too. Its a good way to end the album.
Beats - 7.5 Rhymes - 8 Life - 8
Bonus Cuts
Jodye (Produced by Joey Fatts)
Basically Rocky is throwing shots at SPVCXXGHXZTPVRRP andn RVIDXR KLVN. Its probably the darkest beat on the album but the joint is a bounce track. Shouts to C-Murder for helping him with the hook too haha. Listen to how he goes from sounding like Scarface, to Krazie Bone, back to Rocky... Its amazing.
Beats - 8 Rhymes - 8.5 Life 8
Ghetto Symphony (Produced by V Don)
How this didn’t make it on the actual album... whatever spilled milk. This is one of my top 3 joints on the album. Gunplay finds another way to hop on a track and commit murder in the first. A$AP Ferg...eh.
Beats - 9.5 Rhymes - 9 Life - 9
Angels (Produced by Amsterdam)
The beat is kinda weird but it fits and he bodies it. Another joint that probably could’ve replaced something on the actual album.
Beats - 8.5 Rhymes - 8.5 Life - 8
For a debut album, its pretty solid. It has a lot of variety and can appeal to a bunch of different types of hip hop heads, and just music fans alike. In my opinion Live.Love.A$AP was a better project but this has a lot better production, features, and symbolism.
Overall Beats - 8 Rhymes - 7 Life 8.5
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