In preparation for Always Strive and Prosper (aka ASAP) I listened to Ferg's debut album Trap Lord and honestly I didn't get much out of thatIn preparation for Always Strive and Prosper (aka ASAP) I listened to Ferg's debut album Trap Lord and honestly I didn't get much out of that album aside from a few decent cuts, tracks like Work REMIX and Fergivicious reminded me of the worst parts of modern hip hop and made me realize that A$AP Ferg isn't for me. That being said, some of the singles for ASAP did grow on me, enough so that I decided to at least give this record a chance, was it enjoyable?
Well to my surprise, ASAP improves most of the issues I had with Trap Lord, from the production to the lyrics to even A$AP Ferg himself. I won't call this album great, but it is an improvement and an album that makes me intrigued to listen to more material in the future from Ferg, even if I still have issues with him.
Let's start off with the most improved area all across this album, and that would be the instrumentals, Ferg managed to upgrade his producers and get some big name talent on board, with Clams Casino, No I.D, Cashmere Cat, Stargate, and even DJ Mustard and Skrillex. Ferg manages to get some more creative songs on here showing off his various styles for hip hop. From the opening track Rebirth with the horror style beat that Ferg actually rides pretty well, to the insanely trap flavored bangers Hungry Ham and Let it Bang both sounding great, to even an attempt at 90's house with Strive that works a lot better than it really should, to the more experimental Yammy Gang where Cashmere Cat manages to do minimal trap better than most hip hip producers. Even some of the more downbeat songs like Let You Go and Beautiful People manage to bring out the best in Ferg, which we'll discuss more with the lyrics. That being said, there are still songs where Ferg still wants to copy instrumentals that everyone else already does and don't do it all that well, New Level may have some power with the horns but nothing all that memorable comes out of it on an instrumental level, the bright synths on Swipe Life get irritating in a hurry, and Uzi Gang sounds like a bad leftover from Trap Lord that honestly should've stayed in Trap Lord. The most disappointing of instrumentals comes with World is Mine, as No I.D creates a beat so hollow and bland that I honestly get bored with it quickly.
Now we get to A$AP Ferg himself, now I still don't think he's a great lyrical rapper but he is improving here and has more of a presence here than he did on Trap Lord. His flows are more on point, his rhymes connect more often, and he shows off his collection of styles that he delivers all over this album. From his more slowed down and personal bars on Let You Go and Beautiful People, to some insane lines he delivers on Hungry Ham and especially on Let it Bang. And while I don't think Ferg is a good singer at all as shown on Strive, I honestly prefer it over his poor Kid Cudi attempt on World is Mine. As far as the guest stars go, Rick Ross manages to put together a solid verse on Swipe Life as the only redeeming thing on that track, Missy Elliot's brief verse on Strive was a decent one at least, but it's Schoolboy Q who manages to outshine everyone as his wild and chaotic verse on Let it Bang was pretty damn awesome. However, the rest of the guests are pretty mediocre all around, Future nearly ruins New Level with his weak verse, A$AP Mob barely contributes anything to Yammy Gang a song in dedication to A$AP Yams, Chris Brown's verse on I Love You was corny as hell which is also the same thing I can say for Lil Uzi Vert on Uzi Gang, and Big Sean's hook and verse on World is Mine is pretty embarrassing.
Finally we have the lyrics, and unlike Trap Lord ASAP seems to be focused more on Ferg's struggle out of the hood, with the opening track Rebirth declaring Ferg as the Hood Pope. Thankfully, the tracks on here feel more personal and introspective, with the biggest examples being Let You Go and Hungry Ham. As both songs have Ferg share his beginnings as a rapper and the backlash he got from his loved ones, I honestly got more out of that than off of Trap Lord all together. Of course, Ferg does share his success out of being a rapper and really doesn't do much that makes him standout. While New Level is the more tolerable song out of the brag raps on this album, Swipe Life and World is Mine offer luxury rap that don't even attempt to come across as interesting.
So in the end, I was surprised by ASAP from A$AP Ferg coming across as more of a finished project with creativity and flow all around. While it has it's flaws and moments that are pretty damn bad, I got a lot more out of this and enjoyed it the more I've listened to it. Which is why I give ASAP a 7 out of 10 and a recommendation for fans and newcomers, although I will say the album might not please all fans, most notably the hardcore fans, but at least give it a listen you might get something out of it.
Best Songs: Let You Go, Hungry Ham, Let It Bang, Rebirth, Strive, Beautiful People
Worst Songs: World is Mine, Uzi Gang… Expand
