ASAP Rocky “Wassup” (2011) (prod. by Clams Casino)
The pairing of Clams and Rocky has a lot of similarities to the Drake & “40” combination, both in the washed out, brittleness of the atmospherics employed by the producers, and also via Rocky & Drake’s prospensity to contrast casual, syncopated rhymes with focused lyrical dexterity (often within the same verse). Luckily, Rocky largely eschews the hashtag rap popularized by Young Money, opting instead for a hybridization of Max B and Wiz Khalifa.
Perhaps the key, however, is Clams’ ability to inject an analogue warmth into his productions (despite working solely within the digital realm; c.f. “The World Needs Change” or “I’m Official”), that is lacking (purposefully) from the disaffected, quiet storm coldness found in 40’s work with Aubrey.
A full tape of ASAP Rocky over Clams Casino beats would be a decidedly great look.
-SM
(via @clammyclams / The Fader)
