Before you see him at the Roots Picnic, stream the new A$AP Rocky album
New York rapper Rakim Mayers is best known as A$AP Rocky, and this weekend he’s a don’t-miss artist on the lineup of the 8th Annual Roots Picnic. Rocky came to prominence as a member of the A$AP Mob, the Harlem-based group of rappers and producers, and released his debut mixtape in 2011, Live.Long.A$AP, followed by his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP.
The album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, and had several hit singles including the rambunctiously funky “F—in’ Problems,” featuring Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and 2 Chainz. Rocky just released his AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, and on it he’s upped his game musically. The album features guest appearances frp, Joe Fox, Schoolboy Q, Kanye West, Miguel, Mos Def, Lil Wayne, James Fauntleroy, Mark Ronson, Danger Mouse, M.I.A., James Franco, and Rod Stewart (yes, that Rod Stewart. The album also features the late ASAP Yams, the founder of the A$AP Mob who passed away earlier this year, and was a significant influence on Rocky’s life.
In a recent Billboard magazine cover story, Rocky touches on his love of different styles of music; from Cream, T. Rex, and Tame Impala, to Massive Attack, Portishead, and The Stooges.
Below, listen to AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP, and get ready to see him this weekend at the Roots Picnic.