Always Strive and Prosper

(Redirected from Always Strive And Prosper)

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
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 22, 2016
Recorded2015–16
GenreHip hop
Length47:28
Label
Producer
ASAP Ferg chronology
Ferg Forever
(2014)
Always Strive and Prosper
(2016)
Still Striving
(2017)
Singles from Always Strive And Prosper
  1. "New Level"
    Released: December 18, 2015
  2. "Back Hurt"
    Released: June 28, 2016

Singles edit

On 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 edit

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[12]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [13]
The A.V. ClubB+[14]
Consequence of SoundC[15]
Exclaim8/10[16]
The Guardian     [17]
NME3/5[18]
Pitchfork Media7.3/10[19]
Rolling Stone     [20]
Spin5/10[21]
XXL     (XL)[22]

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 edit

In the United States, the album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling 35,000 units in its first week.[23]

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Rebirth"2:15
2."Hungry Ham" (featuring Skrillex and Crystal Caines)Skrillex3:35
3."Strive" (featuring Missy Elliott)2:50
4."Meet My Crazy Uncle (Skit)"BrownTodd Bee0:22
5."Psycho"
  • Brown
  • Barsh
  • Abdul-Rahman
  • Volpe
  • Tannenbaum
  • Seeff
  • DJ Khalil
  • Clams Casino
2:58
6."Let It Bang" (featuring Schoolboy Q)Lex Luger2:31
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)
VERYRVRE3:13
10."Uzi Gang" (featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Marty Baller)TM883:32
11."Beautiful People" (featuring Chuck D and Mama Ferg)
  • DJ Khalil
  • Clams Casino
3:15
12."Damn Not Again (Skit)"BrownTodd Bee0:21
13."Let You Go"StarGate3:16
14."World Is Mine" (featuring Big Sean)No I.D.3:45
15."Phone Call With Breezy (Skit)"BrownTodd Bee0:41
16."I Love You" (featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign)
  • Hagler
  • Jordan Lewis
3:47
17."Grandma (Skit)"BrownTodd Bee0:20
18."Grandma"
DJ Khalil3:50
Total length:47:28
Best Buy deluxe edition (bonus tracks)[24]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
19."Don't Mind" (featuring French Montana and Fabolous)
3:00
20."Back Hurt" (featuring Migos)
  • Danny Wolf
  • Soldado
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

References edit

  1. ^ "Always Strive and Prosper by A$AP Ferg on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  2. ^ Platon, Adelle (2016-03-22). "A$AP Ferg Announces 'Always Strive And Prosper'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  3. ^ "New Music: A$AP Ferg feat. Future – 'New Level'". Rap-Up. 2015-12-17. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  4. ^ "Video: A$AP Ferg feat. Future – 'New Level'". Rap-Up. 2016-01-19. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  5. ^ "A$AP Ferg - Back Hurt ft. Migos". YouTube. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  6. ^ "New Music: A$AP Ferg feat. ScHoolboy Q – 'Let It Bang'". Rap-Up. March 24, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  7. ^ "A$AP Ferg & ScHoolboy Q Bring A$AP Mob & TDE Together for 'Let It Bang' Video". Billboard. March 25, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  8. ^ "A$AP Ferg Teams With Big Sean for New Song "World Is Mine:" Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  9. ^ "A$AP Ferg & Big Sean Load Up on Ambition in 'World Is Mine' Video". Billboard. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  10. ^ "A$AP Ferg - Hungry Ham (Audio) ft. Skrillex, Crystal Caines". YouTube. 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  11. ^ "A$AP Ferg - Strive (Audio) ft. Missy Elliott". YouTube. 2016-04-14. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  12. ^ a b "Reviews for Always Strive And Prosper by A$AP Ferg". Metacritic. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  13. ^ Jeffries, David (2016-04-22). "Always Strive And Prosper - A$AP Ferg | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Madden, Michael (2016-04-22). "ASAP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  16. ^ "ASAP Ferg: Always Strive And Prosper". Exclaim. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  17. ^ Petridis, Alexis. "A$AP Ferg: Always Strive And Prosper review – more than just Rocky's supporting man". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  18. ^ "NME Reviews - A$AP Ferg - 'Always Strive And Prosper' Review". Nme.Com. 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  19. ^ Iandoli, Kathy (2016-04-26). "A$AP Ferg: Always Strive And Prosper Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  20. ^ Spanos, Brittany (2016-04-22). "ASAP Ferg's New Album: Always Strive And Prosper". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
  21. ^ "Review: A$AP Ferg, 'Always Strive And Prosper'". SPIN. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  22. ^ "ASAP Ferg Rises to New Levels on 'Always Strive and Prosper'". Xxlmag.com. 2016-04-28. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  23. ^ Caulfield, Keith (2016-01-05). "Beyonce Earns Sixth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Lemonade'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  24. ^ "A$AP Ferg - Always Strive and Prosper [PA] (Only @ Best Buy) - CD". Best Buy. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  25. ^ "Australiancharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  26. ^ "Ultratop.be – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  27. ^ "A$AP Ferg Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  28. ^ "Lescharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  29. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  30. ^ "Charts.nz – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  31. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  32. ^ "Swisscharts.com – A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  33. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  34. ^ "A$AP Ferg Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  35. ^ "A$AP Ferg Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  36. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2020.