This
generation's rap culture is more money and women than strength of character,
revolution, and giving a voice to the real-life struggle of so many. That's not necessarily as awful as it may
seem, though. While not
substantial, the decade's hip-hop hits
have been club-bangers and ass-shakers, bringing people together on (and off)
the dance floor. It's an escape, but how
long of a career can you have praising Ciroq on deck and beauty that fades.
Among
the same, Harlem shaped the unique talent that is A$AP Rocky. The 24 year-old, MC Rakim Mayers, released a
mixtape, Live.Love.A$AP (2011),
befriended fashion heavy-hitters Jeremy Scott and Alexander Wang, and has
collaborated with artists like media waited, and waited,...and waited until the
release his major label debut, Long.Live.A$AP, to really sink its teeth into his rap game
chops. Inspired by his past, yet
influenced by his present, A$AP Rocky is clearly striving to be the voice of
the future, but with relative success.
The
album features 15 tracks, boasting gun shots and plenty of "fuck"
bombs. The title, and opening track,
features Rocky's voice floating above a dub bass that's eerie, invasive. The tale of a hard-knock life over a
hard-knock beat, it repeatedly boasts the line, "I know I'll probably die in prison," but that's all Rocky
gives. "Jodye"
"Angels" and "Ghetto Symphony" are similar, with Mayers
giving the listener a taste, but never letting the listener in. Each track provides an experience, both intimidating
and accessible, yet not enough to push through the wall. There is a story to be told, but maybe Mayers
isn't really ready, which exudes potential.
His more
clichéd attempts are sadly more successful, though his second single,
"Fuckin' Problems" has a lot of fucking problems. A$AP Rocky isn't necessarily a great rapper,
but a talented wordsmith with an undeniable swagger that is infectious, adding
to his new persona, his desire to 'A(lways) S(trive) A(nd) P(ropser). However, over and over again he is
out-rapped. Drake and Kendrick Lamar
shine on "Fuckin' Problems" while Rocky becomes a supporter, same
goes on his super-collaboration with Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown,
Action Bronson, and Big K.R.I.T on "Train." While the weakest tracks, "Fashion
Killa" and "Up All Night" featuring dubstep, poster child,
Skrillex, rely on over-production and boasts of young, cash money that are more
obnoxious than can be taken at face value.
Lackluster
attempts aside, there are moments of
greatness. "Hell" featuring
Santigold and "Goldie" are addicting with their wit and reminiscence of
Rocky's Live.Love.A$AP -that deep,
south trill A$AP brought to life. The
album's greatest track is "Suddenly" -a spoken word anthem over a gospel
fade. "You my brother, you my kin, fuck the color of your skin" is
a juvenile display of knowledge, but knowledge none the less, which is
refreshing in its simple innocence but impactful still. His references are real, but never fully
realized.
At the
end, it's hard to define. Is it
too-hype, hyphy, too chill? Where does A$AP Rocky belong or does he really not
have to? This album has cut out its own
place, on its own middle ground. But if
this, "new King of New York" wants to keep that title, he has to push
himself. Sonically, there is too much
smoke to make out a true identity, but lyrically, the young MC's potential is
limitless...and everything is still purple. **7.0/10
