Rating: NNN
Much like his recent tourmate Drake, New York rapper A$AP Rocky creates a musical universe all his own, irrespective of sonic expectations about hip-hop’s regionalism. His debut mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP, introduces the 23-year-old as a cavalier charmer and stoner high on the concision of his flow and nasty punchlines. What separates him from other hype acts is his music – as confident and fully realized as his boyish braggadocio.
While his self-admiration can feel a bit one-note, his melodies, charisma and stylistic promiscuity wins out. You can practically see the glint in his eye when his rhymes really connect with a tripped-out beat, as on the dreamy, hooky Peso, the twangy Trilla, the noirish Keep It G and the fun, Bone Thuggish Purple Swag. More about lyrical swagger than emotional substance, LiveLoveA$AP is a solid intro to someone who could be an enduring figure in the years ahead.
Top track: Purple Swag
