A$AP Rocky Trilla (Ft. A$AP Twelvy & A$AP Nast)

In the age when rappers release dozens of free projects in attempts to get noticed, A$AP Rocky shocked and offended some by being courted by major labels without releasing a tape. A few months later and a major deal under his belt, A$AP Rocky unveiled his Live.Love.A$AP mixtape this past Halloween. Combining ambient and chillwave sonic influences with cultural influences imported from Houston, as well as locally grown in Harlem, Rocky's tape is a continuation of a bold reconstruction of street music in the vein of Main Attrakionz, Lil B, and others.

"Trilla" is immediately infectious. Any silly rapper concerns about an MC from Harlem making such a southern sounding record go out the door a few bars in. Rocky rides the beat well and embues enough personality and charisma into the syrupy track that I'm not mad he's not really saying shit. While no one may be asking for Twelvy and Nast solo albums, they certainly don't detract from the laid-back bravado of the song. It should also be said that the beat might be the best thing about the track; relative newcomer Beautiful Lou ingeniously slowed-down and looped-up a vocal snippet from early 90s duo Das EFX to compliment the twangy guitar lick.

Much is being stated and debated about the recent deal with Polo Grounds/RCA that young Harlemite A$AP Rocky just signed, for a reported $3 million price tag. Many wide-eyed rap fans are gasping at this figure but seasoned fans and industry vets know that doesn't guarantee longetivity, or even long term economic prosperity. It is very much still in the air if A$AP will be a true NY music movement.

And if you're still wondering, no, I have no fucking clue what A$AP is supposed to stand for.