First things first, R.I.P. A$AP Yams.
AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP (abbreviated as ALLA), is the long-awaited album by NYC’s own A$AP Rocky. Since releasing the legendary mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP in 2011, and its follow-up album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP in 2013, fellow hip-hop heads were more than ready to consume what A$AP Mob’s rapping ringleader would come up with. After the tragic loss of A$AP’s founder, Yams, even more pressure was set leading up to the release of ALLA. With the stage set, the fashionable east coast rapper delivered, for the most part.
At look at ALLA’s feature list alone should be enough to excite the average listener. This album is packed with big names like Kanye West, Miguel, Mos Def, Lil Wayne, Rod Stewart, and even more. In addition to the major artists on ALLA, Rocky also introduces up-and-comers like Bones and Joe Fox. In the case of Joe Fox, not only did A$AP Rocky give the aspiring vocalist a whopping 4 features on ALLA, he brought the dude off the streets of London and gave him a second chance at life. Really though, this guy went from being a homeless street performer to literally living with A$AP Rocky and traveling the world with him. Talk about a come-up.
AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP ‘s best quality has got to be the production and overall sound. This works to Rocky’s advantage being that he isn’t necessarily saying that much throughout the album. Every song does delivers a clean, high-grade experience however. A$AP Rocky delivers smooth and easy-going sounds in songs like “Excuse Me,” “L$D,” and “Everyday,” but still brings the punch for the streets in bangers like “LPFJ2” and “M’s.” It’s not that all of his lyrics are wack, but there doesn’t ever seem to be much of a concept or direction to some of the songs on ALLA. But like everything in life, there are some exceptions.
In the song “Canal St,” Rocky speaks upon using his street smarts in the music industry saying, “Rap game like the crack game, swear it’s all the same hustle.” “Pharcyde” is also a song that A$AP Rocky really brings it lyrically as well. He comes out swinging in his first verse with great imagery saying, “Found his body parts in awkward places like apartments, basements, garbage, vacant lots, garages spaces, Harlem’s far too spacious.” Dang.
AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP does in fact solidify A$AP Rocky as New York City’s most significant rapper in the game right now. If you’re looking for a conceptual and thought-provoking album that speaks upon world issues and change, ALLA isn’t for you. BUT! If you’re looking for an album with a dope sound, great features, and swaggie flows this is it, for sure. As a listener you can tell A$AP Rocky really went into his own on this project. He successfully made a commercial piece of work without compromising his identity, and even squeezed in a hilariously entertaining Rita Ora diss! I mean, what more could you ask for?
As far as AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP ‘s longevity in hip-hop history though, that we will have to wait and see. #RIPYAMS
– Mike T
