“A$AP Forever” features a generous sample of Moby’s Play track “Porcelain,” which serves as a cinematic backdrop for Rocky, Kid Cudi, T.I., and Moby himself. A$AP, and his tastes have only grown more eclectic over time.
Rocky’s had an affinity for unexpected samples since his 2013 mixtape Long. In conjunction with the performance-art stint, Testing appears to be Rocky’s attempt to convince himself-and the world-that he can embody the new hip-hop archetype of curatorial genius. Like Jay-Z putting a spin on a Marina Abramović classic for “Picasso Baby” (or even just Drake making a soundtrack for Sotheby’s), Rocky might be trying to prove that he’s good enough to infiltrate the highbrow art world-one that is notoriously racist and classist. Rocky gave new meaning to the concept of Testing in the lead-up to its release, beyond his declared intention of “testing new sounds.” In a 90-minute performance-art piece called “Lab Rat,” conducted this week at the Manhattan auction house Sotheby’s, Rocky locked himself in a transparent tank as bystanders watched him plunge into ice water, play beats, take questions, and eventually unveil his album cover. As you dive into the complex new album, here are some things to know going in. The sprawling 15-track project features the likes of FKA twigs and Frank Ocean, samples both Moby and multiple unsung Memphis rap legends, and boasts 20-some producers, including Dev Hynes, Clams Casino, and Rocky himself. With 2015’s At.$AP, Rocky expanded his hip-hop palette with elements of electronic music and psychedelic indie rock-a move he builds on even more with his third studio album, Testing. His work in other areas have informed the creative approach he takes with his own music-making as well. Since his breakout early in the decade, he’s modeled for Dior, collaborated with Raf Simons, and made his film debut in Dope. For ASAP Rocky, being “just” a rapper has never been enough.
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