Yes, I know this album came out quite a while ago, but I aim to review all the big releases from 2013 and this qualifies as one of them. ASAP Rocky is a New York rapper that I have been a huge fan of for a pretty long time now. His 2011 mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP, was one of my favorite projects of that year, and for good reason. The mixtape brought an infectious signature sound that I really enjoyed. It was a cloudy, slow, hazy version of hip hop that was just dope to me. Asap has gotten a lot more popular since then. Did he allow the ego and fame to get to him on his debut studio album? Let's get into it.
LONGLIVEA$AP- The title track was a perfect opener for this album. The vibe of the track was pretty weird. It was pretty grimy and aggressive during the verses, but shifted to a more artsy, refined vibe during the hook, something I really enjoyed. Asap sounded terrific rapping here, dropping some memorable lines and constantly switching up his flow. The beat was so unique here, with cool sound effects all over the place. This track was just epic. 9.5/10
GOLDIE- Wow. This beat is just a banger in every sense of the word. My head instantly started bopping when I heard this. The track only got better once Asap started rapping in a pitch shifted lower voice. I loved how he kept alternating between the deep voice and his regular voice on this song. The lyrics on this song were more of the same, but I don't mind because Asap's personality is just so likable. 9.5/10
PMW (FEAT. SCHOOLBOY Q)- I got pretty excited once I saw this title, as Asap and Schoolboy Q have a history of some pretty dope collaborations. This one didn't dissapoint. Asap's flow was as on point as ever, the hook was pretty entertaining and had a cool vibe to it, ad Q delivered an awesome verse, as usual. The trippy beat only added to the overall aesthetic of this song. 9/10
LVL- this instrumental was pretty slow and atmospheric, which is expected as Clams Casino produced this. This track was not nearly as dynamic as three before it. Asap didn't impress me as much with a pretty generic flow and delivery here. The only awesome part was around the halfway point when Asap went into a very fast rapping style. Other than that, a pretty boring song. 7.5/10
HELL (FEAT SANTIGOLD)- more Clams Casino production here, and this beat didn't really do much for me. Asap's rapping was once again pretty average on this song. The worst part of this song had to be Santigold's hook, which didn't flow well and she wasn't singing with any passion or energy. I wasn't really feeling this track at all. 6/10
PAIN (FEAT. OVERDOZ)- another hazy instrumental sets this one off, and the hook came off pretty catchy and cool. Asap rides the beat pretty well here and flowed nicely. I was not feeling Overdoz too much here, though as they just seemed like generic rappers here. 8/10
FUCKIN PROBLEMS- I literally have no bad things to say about this track. It is just absolute banger and I am not surprised at all this is the one that put ASAP Rocky on the map. The hook, as ignorant as it is, is undeniably catchy as hell. ASAP is his usual cocky, likable self on this song, as Drake and Kendrick Lamar turn in some pretty solid verses with plenty of popular quotables. 9/10
WILD FOR THE NIGHT- This is definitely an unusual collaboration, but this actually turns out incredibly dope. The deep voice starts it off calmly before erupting into an awesome, high energy party track. Asap sounds very comfortable over Skrillex production and the hook is awesome and gets stuck in your head. This was definitely a standout as it blended so many different sounds together. 9.5/10
1TRAIN- This insane posse cut did not disappoint one bit. Hit-Boy's beat was cinematic, epic, and perfect for the vibe of the track. This was not one of Asap's best verses, but he quickly becomes an afterthought when the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, and Yelawolf spit some really impressive verses. Danny Brown then delivers my favorite verse of the song, complete with some hilarious lines. Action Bronson and Big K.R.I.T. also have some sick verses. This song was amazing and I have absolutely nothing to complain about. One of the best songs I have heard this year. 10/10
FASHION KILLA- This was a very calm, laid back instrumental which I really enjoyed. While Asap's lyrics are pretty lame and corny here, the hook makes up for it by being very catchy. Asap's flow was also pretty on point once again here. 7.5/10
PHOENIX- Asap gets a little lyrical here for the first time on the album, spitting some introspective verses over this minimalistic production. The piano does sound very smooth once it enters the beat. I really loved Asap's rapping here, as his flow was great on the track. Also, the beat drop is just so sleek and had my head bopping. The only rough part of the song had to be Asap's singing in the end, which I wasn't feeling at all. 8/10
SUDDENLY- some more minimalistic production starts this one off as Asap continues his impressive rhyming skills. He raps about growing up and getting into the rap scene here. Just as the track was getting boring, the title starts to make sense as the beat SUDDENLY changes into a more layered one and Asap starts going off. He raps fast, rhyming with a whole lot of skill and flowing effortlessly. 9/10
LONGLIVEA$AP WRAP UP
+Asap has a whole lot of charisma and personality as an MC
+His flow is amazing, it seems like he can go over any type of beat
+An awesome amount of variety on this album, with all different types of track
+Some incredible instrumentals
+Nearly all features were great
-A couple tracks I didn't care for at all
Best: Goldie, 1Train, Wild for the Night
Worst: Hell
A$AP Rocky- LongLiveA$AP
9.2/10
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