A$AP Rocky - LiveLoveA$AP (2011)

[Surell]

I dun wrote this for tha school paper. Enjoi

Rakim Mayers, AKA ASAP Rocky, has signed a 3 million dollar deal with Sony/RCA/Polo Grounds with only one mixtape under his belt. The big question underlying this decision is if he is worth it.

A preliminary question would be what kind of buzz got his name where it is now? Well, he’s a New York rapper with heavy Southern-stoner influence, especially the cough syrup “chop-and-screw” scene. His two main videos, “Peso” and “Purple Swag,” garnered a lot of hype, with “Peso” getting radio play on New York’s huge Hot 97 hip hop station, and “Purple Swag” gaining over 3 million views on Youtube- the video was co-directed by the rapper.

But is the album with its six figure deal? Well, some aspects are promising. His beat selection is outstanding and fairly varied. Though they all revolve around a stoned atmosphere, they do so with different styles, such as a more country vibe on “Trilla,” the Lex Luger-on-sizzurp sound of “Brand New Guy,” or the soothing chaos of “Demons.”

Catchiness is a strong suit of his as well. The songs are extremely infectious with hooks that will be stuck in your head right away, and he has hooks for days. “Peso” has about 3 separate hooks, each as catchy as the last, and the chorus on “Houston Old Head” comes to mind.

However, his overall style is nothing too impressive.

Lyricism, for example, is not his strongest suit. He has clever flashes, such as the alphabet wordplay on “Peso” or the Spanglish burst on “Leaf,” but his slick talk only gets him so far (not to mention the limited topic range). None of his lyrics truly draw the listener in, leaning more on his smooth flow and cool beats for grabbing attention.

His flow also feels recycled at times, with similar approaches to a few of the beats. While he can switch it up, such as a quicker pace on “Leaf” or the singing on “Kissin’ Pink,” it comes out sounding repetitive when “Peso” and “Keep It G” have virtually the same meter.

Rocky’s personality doesn’t seem all his own either; his influence bleeds through. Drake bleeds through on the opener “Palace,” in flow and tone (and even beat choice), and pops up throughout the album.

Drake’s mentor, Lil Wayne, seems to have a fairly deep influence on A$AP’s rapping style; the sly yet rugged, streetwise rapper, with some clever lyrics- as seen on “Out of this World”- and a diverse beat selection (as exposed on Carter III); the more clever lyrics are also reminiscent of Wayne’s mixtape heyday, along with the cool confidence seen throughout. A$AP does, however, seem a little more clearheaded or safer than Wayne’s former self, leaving who has sipped more lean or smoked more cannabis debatable.

Hodgy Beats recently called him “A$AP Copy,” and it doesn’t seem farfetched: Left Brain was making southern-inspired beats on “Blackenedwhite” before A$AP’s mixtape by a full year- both being released on Halloween. Mike G’s beat selection also comes to mind when listening to something like “Get Lit.”

It feels like there are many artist just as deserving or even more that have been left in the underground. The Odd Future pack remains unsigned, and Tyler’s moment on XL is gone at the moment, since it was a contract only for one album, “Goblin.” Sony’s RED distribution label has offered to release their material in physical form, but no full deals have been mentioned.

Lil B called A$AP out on jacking his style, such as calling himself a “pretty (vulgar noun)” several times and utilizing the trendy “swag” call. B has been cited as an influence on A$AP, and has made even odder career decisions than the newcomer (one example being his peak album titled “I’m Gay (I’m Happy)”); yet the Basedgod remains unsigned by a major label.

Spaceghost Purrp, a close associate to Rocky who produced “Keep It G,” the chill jazz jam moment on “LiveLoveA$AP,” and contributed a strong, simple verse to “Purple Swag: Chapter 2” (chapter 1 cannot be found on the album) is left unsigned; even with his interesting, completely self-produced and mostly self-featuring “BLVCKLVND RVDIX 66.6” has been left behind, though it shows just as much stoner potential and the outrageousness of Lil B and Odd Future combined, along with more old school Three 6 Mafia/Wu Tang tendencies (eeriness, misogyny, and simplicity).

But A$AP has the swag to appeal to the youth, throwback styles to appeal to older Hip Hop heads, and an ear tuned to great beats for anyone to enjoy. However, with a lack of outstanding traits or style, he will have to prove himself above trends and catchiness to truly fulfill his 3 million dollar reputation.

[duga]

A lot of the times, I find myself not really paying attention to his rapping...it often takes a back seat to the beats. I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing, though. I actually think that's probably why LiveLoveA$AP is so addictive. Clams Casino's beats are so damn good and ASAP has enough occasional flair to keep me reminded that it's him that I want to check out more of his stuff. If he can stay smart about who to work with and keep up that pattern, I think he deserves the sign.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by duga

If he can stay smart about who to work with and keep up that pattern, I think he deserves the sign.

He's collaborating with AraabMusic for his next release which makes me skeptical.

He's about as talented as wiz khalifa difference being, like you said, he's lacking a distinct, marketable personality.

Why didn't any other proficient* rapper use those clam casino beats earlier?


*I know lil b and some other mixtape crew did it too but still

[duga]

Hmm Araabmuzik might be a little too in-your-face for ASAP's style. He needs to stay slow and stonerish...Araabmuzik, despite how chilled out and atmospheric he makes his music, is a bit too fast for ASAP. I stay skeptical, but if it's done right I think it might be interesting, though.

[RVCA]

In earnest, I cannot bring myself to devote any amount of time to someone so obnoxiously named...

[Unrelenting]

Yeah, the name always struck me as pretty obnoxious. From what I've heard the only song I really liked was Peso, and that was more the hook and the beat

[duga]

Haha yeah, I think the name gets to a lot of people. I've listened to plenty of rappers with obnoxious names, though, so I guess it doesn't really get to me.

[Antonio]

I think LiveLoveA$AP is great for both A$AP Rocky's rapping style as well as the production. This mixtape as well as his last one really feel like you're on a really good high, with the more or less droning vocal style. plus the beats on this are just fantastic at points, makes you feel like you're floating among the clouds. Clams Casino has really outdone himself on this stuff.

love this song, btw

[Goofle]

Clams Casino only produced 5 of 16 tracks.

I liked the mix tape, but in the end, the awful rapping makes it average at best.

[Surell]

you know what else I realized?

A) He reallly sounds like Kid Cudi
B) He realllllly sounds like Lil B
C) He's realllllyy just one of those hipster renditions of Stoner Hip Hop, like Liturgy are for Black Metal or whatever they do.