With the release of his latest studio album “Don’t be Dumb” on Sept. 20, let’s take a deep dive into the prolific career of the one and only A$AP Rocky. Rocky, or Rakim Mayers, has been taking hip hop by storm since he stepped on the scene in 2011 and hasn’t shown any signs of stopping. A musical pioneer, fashion icon, and businessman, A$AP Rocky is one of the most impactful people in the rap game today.
Kickstarting his career in 2011, Rocky dropped his debut mixtape “Live. Love. A$AP,” receiving widespread acclaim and creating one of the best debut mixtapes of all time. The 2010’s were one of the most competitive times in hip hop history, with artists like “Kendrick Lamar,” “Kanye West” and “Drake” all dominating the music scene. A$AP sought to separate himself from his counterparts creating a new sound with this mixtape. With tracks like “Peso” and “Purple Swag: Chapter 2” he wove a mixture of the 90s New York boom bap sound with more sweet soulful melodies.
Rocky wouldn’t stop there, raising the bar with his debut album of the same name in 2013. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 while also receiving double platinum, marking his emergence into the more mainstream side of Hip Hop. With the lead single “F***in’ Problems,” featuring the best rappers of the decade with Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar debuting at eight on the Billboard Hot 100, everyone now knew Rocky’s name.
Rocky would go on to release two more albums with “At. Long. Last. A$AP” in 2015, and “Testing” in 2018. These releases would mark his continued domination of the rap game with the former of the two albums being recognized as his best project. By this point, Rocky had cleared out his area in hip hop, with his perfect blend on soulful melodic flows, mixed in with his more electric new york style performances, showcasing his talent once again with these two albums.
“Testing” in 2018 would mark the last time A$AP would release an album until now, yet he remained a constant presence in hip hop. He would go on to feature on some of the biggest albums of the 2020s, including “Heroes and Villains” by Metro Boomin, “Call Me If You Get Lost” by Tyler the Creator, and “We Still Don’t Trust You” by Future. Rocky has also begun a beef with one of the biggest artists in the world Drake. Kicked off with the diss track “Highjack,” as well as featuring on “Show of Hands” by Future with another diss.
Rocky has had one of the most entertaining careers, breaking into the rap game at one of its most competitive points, and shifting the culture with his incredible new sound. Now after 6 years he is returning to the limelight. “Don’t be Dumb” is set to be one of the best albums of the year as a long awaited return for A$AP Rocky.
