Always Strive and Prosper is the second studio album by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released on April 22, 2016, by A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records.[1][2] The album was supported by two singles: "New Level" featuring Future, and "Back Hurt" featuring Migos. Other appearances include Missy Elliot, A$AP Mob, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Rick Ross and Schoolboy Q, among others.
Always Strive and Prosper | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 22, 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2015–16 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 47:28 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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ASAP Ferg chronology | ||||
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Singles from Always Strive And Prosper | ||||
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Singles
editOn December 18, 2015, ASAP Ferg released the album's first single, titled "New Level". The song features a guest appearance from Southern hip hop recording artist Future, with the production that was handled by Honorable C.N.O.T.E.[3] On January 19, 2016, the music video was released for "New Level" featuring Future.[4]
On June 28, 2016, the bonus track "Back Hurt" featuring Migos, was sent to urban radio as the album's second single.[citation needed] The following day, the music video was released.[5]
Promotional singles
edit"Let It Bang" featuring Schoolboy Q, was released as the album's promotional single on March 24, 2016.[6] The following day, the music video premiered for "Let It Bang" featuring Schoolboy Q.[7] "World Is Mine" featuring Big Sean was released as the album's second promotional single on April 1, 2016.[8] The official video for the song was released on June 26, 2016.[9] The audio for "Hungry Ham" featuring Skrillex and Crystal Caines, was released as the album's third promotional single on April 7, 2016.[10] The audio for "Strive" featuring Missy Elliott, was released as the album's fourth promotional single on April 14, 2016.[11]
Critical reception
editAggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 74/100[12] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The A.V. Club | B+[14] |
Consequence of Sound | C[15] |
Exclaim | 8/10[16] |
The Guardian | |
NME | 3/5[18] |
Pitchfork Media | 7.3/10[19] |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 5/10[21] |
XXL |
Always Strive And Prosper has received generally positive reviews. At Metacritic which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from critics, the album received a score of 74 based on 15 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[12]
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, the album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling 35,000 units in its first week.[23]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Rebirth" |
| 2:15 | |
2. | "Hungry Ham" (featuring Skrillex and Crystal Caines) | Skrillex | 3:35 | |
3. | "Strive" (featuring Missy Elliott) |
|
| 2:50 |
4. | "Meet My Crazy Uncle (Skit)" | Brown | Todd Bee | 0:22 |
5. | "Psycho" |
|
| 2:58 |
6. | "Let It Bang" (featuring Schoolboy Q) | Lex Luger | 2:31 | |
7. | "New Level" (featuring Future) | Honorable C.N.O.T.E. | 4:24 | |
8. | "Yammy Gang" (featuring ASAP Mob and Tatianna Paulino) |
| 2:33 | |
9. | "Swipe Life" (featuring Rick Ross) |
| VERYRVRE | 3:13 |
10. | "Uzi Gang" (featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Marty Baller) | TM88 | 3:32 | |
11. | "Beautiful People" (featuring Chuck D and Mama Ferg) |
|
| 3:15 |
12. | "Damn Not Again (Skit)" | Brown | Todd Bee | 0:21 |
13. | "Let You Go" | StarGate | 3:16 | |
14. | "World Is Mine" (featuring Big Sean) | No I.D. | 3:45 | |
15. | "Phone Call With Breezy (Skit)" | Brown | Todd Bee | 0:41 |
16. | "I Love You" (featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign) |
|
| 3:47 |
17. | "Grandma (Skit)" | Brown | Todd Bee | 0:20 |
18. | "Grandma" |
| DJ Khalil | 3:50 |
Total length: | 47:28 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
19. | "Don't Mind" (featuring French Montana and Fabolous) |
|
| 3:00 |
20. | "Back Hurt" (featuring Migos) |
|
| 3:34 |
Total length: | 54:02 |
Notes
- "Rebirth" and "Psycho" features background vocals from Nikki Grier.
- "Beautiful People" features background vocal from Nikki Grier and Lauren Pardini.
- "Grandma" features background vocals from Sid Sriram, Ajanee Hambrick and Malik Spence.
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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References
edit- ^ "Always Strive and Prosper by A$AP Ferg on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ^ Platon, Adelle (2016-03-22). "A$AP Ferg Announces 'Always Strive And Prosper'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ^ "New Music: A$AP Ferg feat. Future – 'New Level'". Rap-Up. 2015-12-17. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ^ "Video: A$AP Ferg feat. Future – 'New Level'". Rap-Up. 2016-01-19. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg - Back Hurt ft. Migos". YouTube. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
- ^ "New Music: A$AP Ferg feat. ScHoolboy Q – 'Let It Bang'". Rap-Up. March 24, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg & ScHoolboy Q Bring A$AP Mob & TDE Together for 'Let It Bang' Video". Billboard. March 25, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg Teams With Big Sean for New Song "World Is Mine:" Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg & Big Sean Load Up on Ambition in 'World Is Mine' Video". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg - Hungry Ham (Audio) ft. Skrillex, Crystal Caines". YouTube. 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg - Strive (Audio) ft. Missy Elliott". YouTube. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
- ^ a b "Reviews for Always Strive And Prosper by A$AP Ferg". Metacritic. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ Jeffries, David (2016-04-22). "Always Strive And Prosper - A$AP Ferg | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ Rytlewski, Evan (2016-04-22). "Always Strive And Prosper · A$AP Ferg · Music Review A$AP Ferg raps from the heart on Always Strive And Prosper". Avclub.com. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ Madden, Michael (2016-04-22). "ASAP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ "ASAP Ferg: Always Strive And Prosper". Exclaim. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis. "A$AP Ferg: Always Strive And Prosper review – more than just Rocky's supporting man". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ "NME Reviews - A$AP Ferg - 'Always Strive And Prosper' Review". Nme.Com. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
- ^ Iandoli, Kathy (2016-04-26). "A$AP Ferg: Always Strive And Prosper Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ Spanos, Brittany (2016-04-22). "ASAP Ferg's New Album: Always Strive And Prosper". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
- ^ "Review: A$AP Ferg, 'Always Strive And Prosper'". SPIN. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
- ^ "ASAP Ferg Rises to New Levels on 'Always Strive and Prosper'". Xxlmag.com. 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (2016-01-05). "Beyonce Earns Sixth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Lemonade'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg - Always Strive and Prosper [PA] (Only @ Best Buy) - CD". Best Buy. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ^ "Charts.nz – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2020.