On the following track, A$AP Mob continues to surround themselves with as many controversial figures as possible, including Famous Dex, who appears for the first of two features. On the radio-ready standout “What Do You Do,” Nav, whose authenticity has been relentlessly questioned, has a charisma that oddly feels more natural than Ferg’s in this case. Now, he appears for a disappointingly mundane feature on “Rubber Band Man.” This track stands as the only time on Still Striving where Ferg’s enthusiasm trumps the accompanying artists, as he’s generally the more tedious part of his own album. The problem is, Ferg exists on the tip of a double-edged sword his efforts at creating a new sound and retreating to an older, more recognizable A$AP aesthetic appear to be met with equal criticism from fans.Ĭam’ron, who has faced similar issues in his own music, was once one of rap’s most illustrious personalities. In reality, Ferg appears to recognize his underwhelming electronic music detour on Always Strive and Prosper, attempting to course correct by revisiting his roots.

Some may see the intimidating amount of features on Still Striving as an example of an artist insecure in his own ability, grasping to maintain his relevancy. For better or worse, his plan to accomplish this is by surrounding himself with a revolving door of rap’s most prevalent characters. A$AP Ferg, on his second official/commercial mixtape Still Striving, is still seeking to revisit what caught the world’s attention back in 2012. The insane thing about art is that something considered fresh five years ago eventually becomes “normal,” to the point where you almost forget why it was special to begin with. This rapper was A$AP Ferg, and there was nobody else quite like him. He could flow like Lord Infamous, and when his energy became uncontainable, a scream would develop not a gruff DMX scream, but high pitched and eccentric. A rapper with a special voice. Melodically, he felt like the lost member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

At first many thought the album was a vehicle for Rocky to push his less talented friends, but amidst the filler (and the infamous A$AP Ant “Bath Salts” verse) emerged a rapper. A$AP Rocky, a major piece in this movement, decided to capitalize on his growing hype by releasing Lord$ Never Worry, a collaborative project with the A$AP Mob. It was 2012 and New York rap was in the early days of a renaissance.

Asap ferg still striving