S. Samuel
New York rapper A$AP Rocky recently discussed how he managed to toss together an all-star line-up for his "F*ckin' Problems" anthem and why Young Money's Drake is much more than your average pop star.
According to Rocky, he always had plans to feature Atlanta’s 2 Chainz on the smash anthem.
“Well, 2 Chainz was for sure going to do the hook. It was all about chemistry, because you know, even though Drake is a big pop artist, he can spit his a** off, Kendrick Lamar is a f*cking spitter. We all just wanted to make a party track and have fun. And that’s a true story – I f*cked a lot of b*tches. I got a f*cking problem.” (Rolling Stone)
He also discussed linking back up with Kendrick Lamar and recruiting lyrics-driven rappers Yelawolf, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T. and Joey Bada$$ on “1 Train.”
“You gotta be competitive. As far as me, I laid my first verse with confidence, and everyone else went from there. Everyone spit in order. After I laid it down, we sent it to Kendrick, and then to Joey, and it went on down the line. We just wanted to make a posse cut that people would relate to.” (Rolling Stone)
On a more serious note, Rocky talked about suicide playing a big role on his “Phoenix” record last week.
“Those are natural feelings that we all get sometimes. You hurt so bad and you’re going through so much pain to the point where sometimes you don’t even wanna live anymore,” he told MTV News of the track. “That’s how a lot of people think, whether we’d like to admit it or not and that’s all I was showcasing. It was that emotion…suicidal kinda emotions.” (MTV)
The Harlem emcee’s new solo album officially lands on store shelves tomorrow (January 15).
Much of the 12-track set is an easy listen with solid production from Jim Jonsin, Hit-Boy, T-Minus and Clams Casino. The 24-year-old, who hails from Harlem, N.Y., raps with abstract rhymes and metaphors that are easy to grasp on songs like “Goldie” and “Phoenix.” He shows an abundant amount of bravado on “LVL,” declaring his emergence as hip-hop’s next big star. And he holds his own on the catchy hit, “(Expletive) Problems,” which features Drake, Kendrick Lamar and 2 Chainz. The only thing missing from “Long.Live.A$AP” is a theme or story line to help us learn more about A$AP Rocky and what he stands for as an artist. (Washington Post)
Check out a recent A$AP Rocky interview:
