There’s something unique about hype and anticipation. Eventually, it all boils down to the product to validate them. For ASAP Rocky, rap’s new wonder kid of the moment, the time is now. Live.Love.A$AP has been billed as sort of a game changing project; one that supposedly signals the next star in waiting. The alleged monetary backing speaks volumes and the co-signs have done exactly what they’re supposed to do – create conversation and raise eyebrows. Halloween 2011, however, determines whether or not the young Harlemite can cash in on the deposits of his ever-evolving celebrity bank account.
As a person still attempting to warm up to ASAP’s music, I’ll personally be using the project as my first true introduction. Random mp3′s floating around are one thing. I’ll judge the man off an entire body of work, especially one that’s been drilled into my head more than enough times over the past month and change or so. With that said, and without further adieu, dive in. There’s really nothing left to bring to the table than hear what ASAP did.
Download – ASAP Rocky – Live.Love.A$AP Mixtape | Alt. Link
P.S. — Here’s a question to let marinate while running through the tape. From regional standpoint, how important is it that New York have this guy achieve some sort of mainstream success? All the other names who have been billed as the city’s leader of the new school – Papoose, Juelz Santana, Fred Da Godson, Vado and Cory Gunz – have either fallen off or have yet live up to expectations. Will the bite match the bark for ASAP?
Related: On ASAP Rocky, Record Deals & The Evolution Of Hype | ASAP Rocky Speaks So Well
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the hype machine is working, you have to give the kid that. peso makes the mixtape worth a listen, but next king of ny. . . i’m not so sure.
everything I’ve heard till now been dope, trilla is my shit…
I dont think he has to be king, but it’s important for him to be successful. A lot of those cats you mentioned had hype but no substance…..(Papoose)
^ You seen Papoose’s latest video smh…This mixtape is fire, even tho he don’t fall under the stereotypical NY rap imma be spreading A$AP’s music like wildfire. #NYBack…But Vado > A$AP
I don’t even know when the last time people were this hyped for a release out of NY (excluding Nas/Jay) since G-Unit/Dipset days.
Bottom line, shit bangz!!!
It it possible for hype to be overhyped? People (not TSS necessarily) have been complaining about the hype associated with dude so much that it’s starting to get crazy. At some point it ceases to be hype and just becomes people talking about music on the internet.
Anyway, I’ve loved every track I’ve heard from this guy and will be excited to listen to this.
It it possible for hype to be overhyped? People (not TSS necessarily) have been complaining about the hype associated with dude so much that it’s starting to get crazy. At some point it ceases to be hype and just becomes people talking about music on the internet.
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I think I understand exactly what you’re saying. It’s like people wanting to take the opposite of what everyone is praising as great so badly that it becomes annoying. For TSS, I think I speak for everyone when I say this, but I wish nothing but the best for dude.
We’re not in the business of wishing for the downfall of anyone.
Hype is so strangely powerful. I’ve been a huge Gibbs fan for a long time, and have been patiently waiting for Cold Day in Hell, but I didn’t even realize it was releasing today, while I’ve been waiting all day for Live.Love to drop.
I feel guilty for being more excited about the ASAP drop, but in the end I’m just happy I have two new tapes to bump tomorrow at work.
So far, so smooth. I’m rooting for the kid, he seems like he’s got a good outlook. Great ear for beats, too.
NY needs a new rapper to give them a new sound. Maybe ASAP is the guy. I’ll listen to this tomorrow see what it sounds like
Not impressed. He’s a Frankenstein; and while I believe that will resonate with a lot of people since there’s literally something for every region of hip hop to latch on to, I can’t respect an artist that doesn’t have his own voice.
And it’s not like he seamlessly blending these different styles into something new and of his own, it’s a simple cut and paste job that he’s doing. You can pinpoint exactly where the Bone influence is, where the Wiz content is coming from, where the Houston sound is. Like I said, some will dig it – I’m not quite sipping the purple yet.
Production is top notch though. This is Clams Casino’s coming out party.
Those G-Unit/Dipset days were crazy……
I think at this point Gibbs should be making albums…..he’s killing his buzz dropping too much mixtape material. While it quality work I feel he should be dropping an album.
If this was an album, how many Cigs would we give it?
“Peso” >
If you’re judging before you’ve listened to it thoroughly, you’re only cheating yourself. That goes for any album/artist, aside from the ones who are just fucking wack from the jump.
I ain’t drinking the Kool-Aid but I’m not going to go against the grain for unfounded reasons either.
@Bx Slime
Naw I havent but I was never caught up in the hype….never saw nothing special in dude.
@keepurgardup
Did you even listen to the tape before you made the judgement that your “not impressed”. At least give it a couple of spins to let it digest before calling it wack.
I think Asap Rocky has a lot of potential with the right polishing, i just hope the label doesn’t rush an album out. They should take notes from how Roc Nation handled J. Cole
Lets all remember this is the first body of work he’s put out ever. Even Drake got 3 mixtapes before the album.
He DOES have TSS favorite Burn One on a couple tracks. That should help him gain a little legitimacy with the Smoking Section readership before it turns into the Playa Haters ball up in this bitch.
THAT SAID
Gibbs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> everything
Spacejesus, I don’t think the readership here is homogeneous as you’re implying. I like a lot of artists TSS has promoted, like Gibbs, Krit, (discovered those 2 through TSS) etc, and am not a fan of J. Cole or like…Janelle Monae. Most of the other commenters are similar, not everyone likes all the same shit.
@TC : off a first listen I was very impressed and turned me into a believer but I still need time to digest it but I can tell that this dude is hopefully destined for greatness…Damm 2day was a very good day for hip-hop.
Finally, I can make some sort of assessment on this fellow. Gotta listen to Gibbs’ new shit and Rocky’s.
Did you even listen to the tape before you made the judgement that your “not impressed”. At least give it a couple of spins to let it digest before calling it wack.
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@Ed
That was my initial reaction after one spin. I’m currently on the second spin.
And I never called it wack. I’m just not seeing what all the hype is about. We’ve heard all of this before, maybe just not all at once on the same song. And if that’s the appeal (the whole postmodern “every-style” all-region rapper angle and the fact that he’s supposed to be bringing NY back) then there’s nothing really here for me to see.
Sure, it knocks. Sure, he can flow. And based on that I’ll probably keep this in rotation for a minute. But I’m not gonna pretend this is something it’s not. Solid effort – no more no less.
well..this is great. maybe he did deserve that signing bonus.
this shit is fucking fire….my only gripe is there really wasn’t enough Rocky.
I felt like he nailed all of his verses but some of the features were just wack. One nigga said something about “I shine like the sun” Really son? Grade school Meataphors? Cmon Son.
The beats would have made the tape even if the rapping was mediocre, but the rapping was awesome. Hey, at least it’s something different.
Now on to the new Gibbs….
mmmyea no. dude isn’t fresh at all. he sounds inspired by http://illroots.com/tag/ro-ransom/
no coincidence…ransom>>>>>asap…
I was impressed by this. One of the better free projects of the year. I’d like to see what he can do when he takes him time and gets the features he wants. The beats and Rocky did well on this tape, but some of the features were weak.
^ greed on the money
Tape was solid, enjoyed the beat selection. Lost me on some of the features. I like the fact he tries different flows even when they dont always work out. Still early, Hes no Kenny lamar!, but did Kendricks hype include reportedly signing for millions?
Multiple flows(some better than others) and great beat selection. This is a good tape to just zone out to. Kinda like 2011′s K&OJ.
kid does one hell of a bone impression.
Random thought: People seem confused about why this kid got a bigger deal than Drake. You have to keep in mind that Rocky took the highest offer, while Drake did not. Drake almost certainly got offers for more than three million.
I walked away impressed with the project. You can tell he has skills when listening to OUT OF THIS WORLD. He’s definitely a good rapper….$3 million good??? Probably not…but he can sustain a nice career. He’s an interesting character and his production is awesome.
Is this really what people listen to in NY? WTF?!?
i’m not from NY, i’m not even from the states, but i can’t believe you guys say that this garbage is going to bring New York Rap back… first of all NY Rap ain’t never went nowhere.
second of all there are enuff artist out there that rep that real NY sound (Action Bronson, Torea, Ill Bill, Sean P, etc.) some not even being from NY (Statik Selektah, The 58′s, Jedi Mind Tricks, etc.)
What the fuck is an ASAP Rocky anyway? He the NY version of Mike Jones? ’cause that’s how his “carrer” gone end.
Get real