A$AP Rocky has been a little busy, but not busy enough to drop a bad single. The well-known New York rapper, songwriter, and producer’s latest single proves that he still has it, despite not releasing consistently for many years.
Rakim Athelaston Mayers, now known as A$AP Rocky, got his start in Harlem with the A$AP Mob, leading to the creation of his name. His career is extraordinary, being all over the music, art, and fashion landscape over the course of his now 10+ year career.
The Legendary Career of A$AP Rocky
His four albums released have all stood as some of the best modern hip-hop records. His debut, “LIVE.LONG.A$AP”, received immense critical acclaim, even reaching number one on the Billboard 200. A$AP Rocky immediately set a tone for dreamy and vivid production, which was laid beneath his smooth and confident flow.
“AT.LONG.A$AP” also hit number one on the Billboard 200, and expanded on his sound even further. More luscious landscapes were created, like “L$D”, more experimental production like “Jukebox Joints”, and even more singing moments like “Everyday”, which all demonstrated a forward projection for his budding career.
“TESTING” did not reach the Billboard 200 peaks that his previous albums did, but iconic tracks like “Praise the Lord” and “Purity” still remain fantastic. Since then, it has been relatively quiet. There have been plenty of singles, but none seriously teasing an upcoming album, none until the recent release of “HIGHJACK”.
Production Heaven
The opening sample dropping into the intoxicating beat made me feel like I was transported to some of his early work, which means I absolutely love the production here. The looping, high-pitched synths are extremely on-brand for A$AP Rocky, with the simple hi-hat and bass pattern adding on.
The droplets of synth before it re-loops is a nice touch that keeps the listener on their toes. And of course, the production slowly grows over time. More instruments come into the fold, including a relaxing and peaceful guitar, the bass-heavy production changing to soft bongos, and an isolated piano to take the track out.
A big part of the production is also the amazing vocal feature from Jessica Pratt. Her feature enters the track at the most beautiful apex with her low timbre really bringing a warmness to the track. The hums of her and A$AP Rocky really create this comforting end, which is definitely tied to the lyrics.
Lyrically Introspective, More to Come?
A$AP Rocky is really aware of himself in this track, which shows some maturity from the rapper. One of the lines that really stand out that tells the story of the track is, “Want my wife so bad, the people want my next track / the coppers want my Black ass, fucked up, but it’s like that.”
A$AP Rocky is really grappling with the idea of the public wanting him to be more productive and constant in the rap game, but also wanting his wife (the global superstar Rihanna).
He realizes, well, that “it’s like that.” Being a public figure, people want to be him, want what he has, and want him to make stuff for them, and he may not like it, but he is understanding of it. The repeating lines of Jessica Pratt saying, “And when I’m gone / You wish I stayed” reflects this as well.
There are other lines that are not as crisis-inducing as these of course. References to Minecraft, Scottie Pippen, and some clever wordplay with Chief Keef’s “Love Sosa” (“Feelin’ like Sosa, Chiefie Keef (I don’t like that)”).
This is a true return to form for A$AP Rocky, and even though this may just be a single that gets lost in his endless discography, I do not think so. The line, “Been gone so long / I’m back to stay” makes me think more is on the way, and I really hope there is.
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