A$AP Mob: Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 Friends – (Review)

What is appearing to be one of the biggest hip-hop releases of 2016 is A$AP Mob’s Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 Friends-. The 12 track project is a potluck with each of the numerous artists featured dishing out their own flavor on each track.

Back in 2012, A$AP Mob released their debut compilation project Lords Never Worry. This was an instant classic in my opinion and still remains a favorite of mine to this day. Four years later, after the passing of A$AP Mob founder A$AP Yams in 2015, The Mob’s sound has evolved into that of more energy, while still concentrated on delivering a progressive sound. Of course A$AP members Rocky, Ferg, Nast, Ant, and Twelvyy come out to play in one way or another on each track, but the chemistry they have with other rappers is really what makes Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 its flare. With appearances from Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, BJ The Chicago Kid, Onyx, Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Skepta, Lil Yachty, Madeintyo, Tyler the Creator this is nothing short of a star studded event.

The single and final track off Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 Friends- is Telephone Calls with A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and Tyler the Creator. This is a hard banger where Rocky and Tyler go in spitting fire verses. Lil Uzi Vert’s flow on “Runner” gives the song it’s individuality, thus making it a highlight on the project. Another favorite of mine is “Put That On My Set” with A$AP Rocky and Skepta. It has a nice sample of “Brother’s Gonna Work it Out” which has been previously sampled by Chance the Rapper’s “Lost” and Ro James’ “Permission.” The mob really puts it down on the second and third tracks “Crazy Brazy” and “Young N***a Living.”

All in all with this many big names on one project it’s hard to walk away upset. Throughout the years I’ll admit that my interest in A$AP has slipped. Although I enjoyed Rocky’s last record At.Long.Last.A$AP, it’s replay value ended up being low. When Ferg dropped his debut album Trap Lord in 2013, I reviewed it and considered it favorable, I’ve never listened to another project since then. The question is, does Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 Friends make me want to go back and reinvest in A$AP as a whole? No. The lyrics about swag, hoes, and money don’t phase me, however the production and artist chemistry on this new project leave me with a strong impression. It might sound strange, but Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1 Friends- is going to land at 3.9 of 5 PALMs. The strongest 3 before being a four, because although the songs mentioned were definately tight, as a whole A$AP just doesn’t have the same appeal they did back in 2012. I wasn’t really feeling any of the grimy New York street talk sounding skits off either. A strong project non the less.

Listen to Cozy Tapes: Vol. 1 Friends – on iTunes and Spotify.