#2. A$AP Rocky - LONG.LIVE.A$AP

Full Album

A$AP Rocky - 1 Train (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T.)

The #2 album of the year actually came out almost an entire year ago, on January 4, 2013. Often these early releases are forgotten and I almost missed it myself and had to double check the release date. But there it was at the bottom of my iTunes for the year, and as soon as I saw it I knew it had to be in the top 5.

A$AP Rocky, aka Rakim Mayers, was born in 1988 in Harlem, New York City. He started out as a member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob and then released a critically acclaimed mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP in 2011 and then this, LONG.LIVE.A$AP, his debut album in 2013. His debut mixtape is solid and has several amazing tracks including the anthemic "Palace", the xylophonic "Peso" and the bluesy "Trilla" but I feel it loses focus in parts, favoring heavy bass over slick production. But then for LONG.LIVE.A$AP the rapper became much more focused on production, and backed by the major label power from Sony, was able to get A-list guest artists and production help. 

The album opens with the thunderous boom of "Long Live A$AP", where Rocky raps about where he thought he'd end up (prison, on drugs etc.) and then where he actually has (Bentleys, stacks of money, etc.) which is basically the complete opposite. The production is sparse yet glossy and the hook reels you in, providing an excellent snapshot of what this album is going to be about. Up next is the brilliant "Goldie", a track that makes one feel like a total boss/badass at the same time. Beneath the pulsating beat lies a sinister reverberating chant that illuminates the boss/badass mood. Other highlights include the top 40 smash "Fuckin' Problems" which features Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and the ridiculously catchy shout-along hook from 2 Chainz, "Wild For The Night" which features production from EDM Megastar Skrillex and is a song that truly makes you want to go fucking bonkers for the night, and "Fashion Killa", an ode to Rocky's love for stylish clothing with lush production from Rocky himself. 

Today's chosen song "1 Train" features six of the biggest names in the game: Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, & Big K.R.I.T. It is an American hip-hop summit as these rappers come from all corners of the country, from LA to New York and Detroit to Mississippi. 20 years ago, a time that many would consider to be the artistic peak of rap music, something like this could never exist as the two coasts and various other regions were too busy beefing and fighting with one another to even consider collaborating. I mean 2Pac, from Compton, California, the same city as Kendrick Lamar, and The Notorious B.I.G., from NYC, the same as Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson and A$AP himself, were the two biggest names in the game yet would never ever consider working with each other. In fact their rivalry ended with each man being sent to his grave way too early. But back to "1 Train". This track has a continuous, haunting string beat courtesy of producer Hit-Boy. I love Danny Brown's verse but my favourite has got to be Big K.R.I.T. who closes out the track with some emotional and prophesizing spitting.

I also can't ignore some of the tracks that close the album as well as the bonus tracks. "Phoenix", produced by the one and only Danger Mouse, is almost more indie rock than hip-hop with its laid back vibe and sung chorus. Then there's "Suddenly", a haunting ode to early sixties gospel and soul records. And finally the bonus track "I Come Apart" features Florence Welch (of Florence + The Machine) bringing down the house as usual with a killer hook and Rocky rhyming over the percussion heavy beat that sounds vaguely like Kanye's "Runaway".

Overall this is an awesome album by the young Rocky. I cannot wait to hear what he has in store for us next. This is also the top hip-hop album to grace my list. Yeezus was awesome as a whole but not enough great individual tracks imo. Stay tuned for #1