10 Things We Learned From A$AP Rocky’s ‘At. Long. Last. A$AP’ Album
A$AP Rocky has finally descended from the clouds of purple smoke and he comes baring a special gift. A week before the June 2 release date of his second studio album, At. Long. Last. A$AP (A.L.L.A.), he surprised fans by dropping it on May 26. For Rocky supporters seeking the Harlem-inspired braggadocio rhymes paired with bass-heavy hip-hop, they are sure to be either disappointed, surprised or appreciate the artistry and growth on the LP.
The effort features odes dedicated to rock and soul with some trippy elements in between like "Holy Ghost" and "L$D." If you're looking for songs like his biggest hit to date, "F---in Problems," you won't find that on A.L.L.A., the follow-up to his 2013 debut, Long. Live. A$AP. This is nothing like the Rocky we first met. And that's how it should be.
On A.L.L.A., Rocky teams up with Danger Mouse and relies on the producer to assist him during this acid-induced euphoria. The "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2" rhymer roams freely and unapologetically touches on the topics on his mind and in his heart. Even with guest appearances from the likes of Future, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Mos Def and M.I.A., Rocky runs the show.
He's spent a good two years away from the spotlight (Rocky and A$AP Mob were slated to release a collaborative album, L.O.R.D., in 2014 but it was shelved) while crafting the LP, much of it in Europe where a majority of songs were recorded in London. In the process, he's been working on films -- he stars in Dope alongside Zoe Kravitz and Quincy (Diddy’s son) -- and living the single life after a breakup with model Chanel Iman. He even had to cope with the loss of his good friend and A$AP co-founder A$AP Yams, who died of an accidental drug overdose in January. Rocky is clearly in a different state of mind than he was in 2011, when he released songs like "Pe$o." He’s comfortable and confident traveling down the lane him and Yams have paved for themselves.
We took our own sonic trip through A.L.L.A. to embrace what Rocky created throughout the 18 tracks and we found some interesting facts. Check out the gallery above to peep what we took away from his new album in 10 Things We Learned From A$AP Rocky's At. Long. Last. A$AP.