Initially assumed to be a mixtape, A$AP Ferg ultimately decided to turn Trap Lord into an album and legions of A$AP Mob fans were pleased. Through A$AP Rocky, the world saw how much the A$AP Mob appreciates old school and this trend continued with A$AP Ferg. Trap Lord consisted of several themes from the old school.
Despite being from Harlem, A$AP Ferg is not bringing the traditional Harlem sound, nor is he trying to. What A$AP Ferg represents is what a lot of newer artists are, people who grew up in the age of mass media who were exposed to a little of everything. People only resonate with what they like and it reflects in their work.
A$AP Ferg is into all types of music, but he likes to rap and that is what comes out in his debut, Trap Lord. To listen to an A$AP Ferg album is to be in understanding of this. The music A$AP Ferg is going for is not a full hip hop album and he does not want it to be judged as such, but who else will judge?
Several techniques remain on Trap Lord, delivering the songs for the radio, introspective songs, and the hype songs. Along the way, he linked up with a few old school names, which include B-Real from Cypress Hill and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. A$AP Ferg also kept it pretty current with collaborations also coming from Trinidad James, Waka Flocka Flame, ScHoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky, and French Montana.
What A$AP Ferg put out was a solid album, but for hardcore hip hop fans, it may take some getting used to. This album is difficult to judge, because A$AP Ferg made some good songs, such as “Shabba,” “Murda Something,” “Hood Pope,” and “Fuck Out My Face.” None of those tracks are reminiscent of hip hop as the world knows it, which is the intelligent part of A$AP Ferg’s style that encompasses so much.
Considering all of that, A$AP Ferg definitely put out an entertaining album that the world has been enjoying for the past month.
Hip Hop Vibe’s Rating: 6/10
