By Ahmad Awadallah

If you close your eyes and peep his flow and then open your eyes to scope his swag, you would most likely think he’s from the South and another wannabe Lil’ Wayne. However, ASAP Rocky is from the danger zone of Harlem and he’s quickly creating his own lane in Hip-Hop. His last two singles, “Purple Swag” and “Pesos” have been getting crazy love on the internet and even the radio stations have given the popular singles a nod. Always Strive And Prosper (ASAP) is the name of the group which includes a plethora of members with the suffix ASAP before their names. Rocky’s new mixtape LiveLoveASAP is the first release from the New York-based camp and it acts a change in direction from the Empire State’s burnt-out shoot ‘em up bang bang raps.

Rocky chooses to rhyme over 16 original peculiar beats that complement his alien steeze. “Bass” is tailored specifically to his novel swag with robotic synth, stern drum patterns and a chopped and screwed hook. The Harlem native reaches out Black Hippy member Schoolboy Q on the track “Brand New Guy” and again the drum pattern seems out of sorts, but it still goes hard with both youngins’ setting the Lyle-laced beat ablaze. The main downfall to the song is another dull chopped and screwed hook. If you never heard of Schoolboy Q or ever doubted his abilities, you definitely will become fan after the 5-minute record.

On “Keep it G,” Rock does his best Cam’ron impression by borrowing his signature rhymes style. “I get get my d**k licked/redbone complexion like a piglet/kiss kiss/we sip ‘Cris/a 40 ‘cause I’m getting it/drip drip” and the rhyme scheme continues. His love of Houston is evident in his flow, hooks, production selection, and naming a record “Houston Old Head.” The Harlemite’s slow-flow over the codeine-cocked beat will definitely rock you to sleep with its lethargic feel; Raekwon said it best “the combination made my eyes bleed.”

The reefer smoking rapper takes time to distinguish himself from the influx of young emcees and takes shots at the numerous backpackers, skateboarders and hipsters on the Clams Casino track “Leaf” which is hands down the standout record on the tape. Clams Casino invites the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard to haunt the track with background crooning. The drug-induced content continues, but Rock demonstrates his versatility by choosing rapid-fire and more aggressive flows. Definitely one of his superlative and meaningful verses, but his finest verse is on the Lloyd Banks track “Make it Stack (Remix)” off the “Cold Corner 2” mixtape—check it out.

ASAP Rocky has talent and has garnered a huge following in a short period of time. With the right corporate-push, we can have a New York dude doing Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ numbers, but it’s highly doubtable it will be as good. The kid original in a derivative sort of way, but he’s reminiscent of Wiz Khalifa in his popularity and content. He’ll have a huge single and a decent album, but will never be able to cross-over completely.

out of 5

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