By JACK COYLE, Reporter
Rakim Mayers, better known by his stage name, A$AP Rocky, was born into the life of a rapper, being named after the New York legend, Rakim. A$AP was born in Harlem, New York and that influence is often present in his music. Mayers was named after famous Harlem rapper, Rakim, who was, in his day, an icon. Rap was an early part of his life, beginning his rhymes and cyphers at the ripe young age of eight years old.
When A$AP was only twelve his father was sent to jail because of drug charges, and his brother was murdered near his house which inspired him to start rapping more seriously.
A$AP had been rapping for years, but started blowing up in 2011 after a fan had compiled a few of his favorite A$AP songs including “Peso” and “Purple Swag” which are both very mellow tracks with a slowed down tempo. These songs both received airplay on the renown station Hot 97.
A$AP’s first mixtape was released in October of 2012 titled LiveLoveA$AP. It was one of, if not the best mixtape released in 2012, raking in over two million views. With very relaxed beats, and an almost DJ-Screw like vocal styling, A$AP soon gained a strong fanbase. Although LiveLoveA$AP was critically acclaimed, it still left him with his original followers, more underground music fans.
Despite being leaked three months priot, A$AP’s debut album finally came out on Jan. 15. The album titled LongLiveA$AP is a masterpiece that only A$AP could have created. The album was exactly what fans were expecting, and A$AP couldn’t have delivered better than he did. Some examples of the sixteen tracks (including bonus tracks) featured on the album are “F***ing Problems,” (which features other huge names like 2 Chainz, Drake and Kendrick Lamar) as well as other hits “PMW,” “Goldie,” and “Wild in the Night.” None of which disappoint.
I would recommend A$AP to any rap fans who are new to the genre or have been listening for years because of the laid back atmosphere the album creates, along with the clever wordplay and lyrics only expected out of a New York rapper, laid on top of a Hit-Boy beat, this album shows all that Harlem has to offer the hip-hop community.
With up and coming rappers including Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar (who recently released his new album good kid, m.A.A.d. city), Earl Sweatshirt,Skrillex and even some other large scale stars such as 2 Chainz and Drake, it seems as though A$AP is among good company. A$AP created a sound that really was his own and has created a respectable second album that many will be listening to for quite some time.
