Always Strive and Prosper
{{Short description|2016 album by ASAP Ferg}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Always Strive and Prosper
| type = studio
| artist = ASAP Ferg
| cover = ASAP Ferg Always Strive and Prosper.jpg
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = April 22, 2016
| recorded = 2015–16
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Hip hop
| length = 47:28
| label = {{hlist|A$AP Worldwide|Polo Grounds|RCA}}
| producer = {{hlist|ASAP Ferg|Burd & Keyz|Cashmere Cat|Clams Casino|Danny Wolf|DJ Khalil|DJ Mustard|Foreign Teck|Hagler|Honorable C.N.O.T.E.|Jordan Lewis|Lido|Lex Luger|No I.D.|Skrillex|Soldado|StarGate|Stelios Phili|TM88|Todd Bee|VERYRVRE}}
| prev_title = Ferg Forever
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = Still Striving
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Always Strive And Prosper
| type = studio
| single1 = New Level
| single1date = December 18, 2015
| single2 = Back Hurt
| single2date = June 28, 2016
}}
}}
Always Strive and Prosper is the second studio album by American rapper ASAP Ferg. It was released on April 22, 2016, by A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/always-strive-and-prosper/id1094490022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426071327/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/always-strive-and-prosper/id1094490022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |title=Always Strive and Prosper by A$AP Ferg on iTunes |publisher=iTunes |date=2016-04-14 |access-date=2016-04-14}}{{cite web|last=Platon |first=Adelle |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7271751/asap-ferg-always-strive-and-prosper-album-release-date |title=A$AP Ferg Announces 'Always Strive And Prosper' |publisher=Billboard |date=2016-03-22 |accessdate=2016-04-14}} 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 $ign, Rick Ross and Schoolboy Q, among others.
Singles
On December 18, 2015, ASAP Ferg released the album's first single, titled "New Level". The song features a guest appearance from Southern hip hop recording artist Future, with the production that was handled by Honorable C.N.O.T.E.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/12/17/new-music-asap-ferg-future-new-level/ |title=New Music: A$AP Ferg feat. Future – 'New Level' |publisher=Rap-Up |date=2015-12-17 |accessdate=2016-04-14}} On January 19, 2016, the music video was released for "New Level" featuring Future.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/01/19/video-asap-ferg-future-new-level/ |title=Video: A$AP Ferg feat. Future – 'New Level' |publisher=Rap-Up |date=2016-01-19 |accessdate=2016-04-14}}
On June 28, 2016, the bonus track "Back Hurt" featuring Migos, was sent to urban radio as the album's second single.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The following day, the music video was released.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsMBvyI6saY |title=A$AP Ferg - Back Hurt ft. Migos |publisher=YouTube |date=2016-06-29 |accessdate=2019-12-26}}
=Promotional singles=
"Let It Bang" featuring Schoolboy Q, was released as the album's promotional single on March 24, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2016/03/24/new-music-asap-ferg-schoolboy-q-let-it-bang/ |title=New Music: A$AP Ferg feat. ScHoolboy Q – 'Let It Bang' |publisher=Rap-Up |date=March 24, 2016 |accessdate=May 1, 2016}} The following day, the music video premiered for "Let It Bang" featuring Schoolboy Q.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7280565/asap-ferg-let-it-bang-video-schoolboy-q |title=A$AP Ferg & ScHoolboy Q Bring A$AP Mob & TDE Together for 'Let It Bang' Video |magazine=Billboard |date=March 25, 2016 |accessdate=May 1, 2016}} "World Is Mine" featuring Big Sean was released as the album's second promotional single on April 1, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/64517-aap-ferg-teams-with-big-sean-for-new-song-world-is-mine-listen|title=A$AP Ferg Teams With Big Sean for New Song "World Is Mine:" Listen|work=Pitchfork|accessdate=September 30, 2018}} The official video for the song was released on June 26, 2016.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7416651/asap-ferg-big-sean-world-is-mine-video|title=A$AP Ferg & Big Sean Load Up on Ambition in 'World Is Mine' Video |magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 30, 2018}} The audio for "Hungry Ham" featuring Skrillex and Crystal Caines, was released as the album's third promotional single on April 7, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z31Gaczp9VU |title=A$AP Ferg - Hungry Ham (Audio) ft. Skrillex, Crystal Caines |publisher=YouTube |date=2016-04-07 |accessdate=2016-05-03}} The audio for "Strive" featuring Missy Elliott, was released as the album's fourth promotional single on April 14, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4Co_H50hUw |title=A$AP Ferg - Strive (Audio) ft. Missy Elliott |publisher=YouTube |date=2016-04-14 |accessdate=2016-05-03}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Jeffries |first=David |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/always-strive-and-prosper-mw0002932912 |title=Always Strive And Prosper - A$AP Ferg | Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=2016-04-22 |accessdate=2016-04-27}}
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev3 = Consequence of Sound
| rev4 = Exclaim
| rev5 = The Guardian
| rev6 = NME
| rev7 = Pitchfork Media
| rev8 = Rolling Stone
| rev8Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Spanos |first=Brittany |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/asap-ferg-always-strive-and-prosper-20160422 |title=ASAP Ferg's New Album: Always Strive And Prosper |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=2016-04-22 |accessdate=2016-04-27}}
| rev9 = Spin
| rev10 = XXL
| rev10score = {{rating|4|5}}(XL){{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2016/04/asap-ferg-always-strive-and-prosper-album-review/ |title=ASAP Ferg Rises to New Levels on 'Always Strive and Prosper' |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2016-04-28 |accessdate=2016-05-01}}
}}
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".
Commercial performance
In the United States, the album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, selling 35,000 units in its first week.{{cite web|last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7350372/beyonce-earns-sixth-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart-with-lemonade |title=Beyonce Earns Sixth No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With 'Lemonade' |publisher=Billboard |date=2016-01-05 |accessdate=2016-05-03}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 47:28
| title1 = Rebirth
| writer1 = {{hlist|Darold Brown|Sam Barsh|Khalil Abdul-Rahman|Michael Volpe|Daniel Tannenbaum|Daniel Seeff}}
| extra1 = {{hlist|DJ Khalil|Clams Casino}}
| length1 = 2:15
| title2 = Hungry Ham
| note2 = featuring Skrillex and Crystal Caines
| writer2 = {{hlist|Brown|Sonny Moore|Crystal Caines}}
| extra2 = Skrillex
| length2 = 3:35
| title3 = Strive
| note3 = featuring Missy Elliott
| writer3 = {{hlist|Brown|Dijon McFarlane|Stelios Phili|Melissa Elliott|Kevin McCord}}
| extra3 = {{hlist|DJ Mustard|Phili}}
| length3 = 2:50
| title4 = Meet My Crazy Uncle (Skit)
| writer4 = Brown
| extra4 = Todd Bee
| length4 = 0:22
| title5 = Psycho
| writer5 = {{hlist|Brown|Barsh|Abdul-Rahman|Volpe|Tannenbaum|Seeff}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|DJ Khalil|Clams Casino}}
| length5 = 2:58
| title6 = Let It Bang
| note6 = featuring Schoolboy Q
| writer6 = {{hlist|Brown|Lexus Lewis|Quincey Hanley}}
| extra6 = Lex Luger
| length6 = 2:31
| title7 = New Level
| note7 = featuring Future
| writer7 = {{hlist|Brown|Carlton Mays, Jr.|Nayvadius Wilburn}}
| extra7 = Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
| length7 = 4:24
| title8 = Yammy Gang
| note8 = featuring ASAP Mob and Tatianna Paulino
| writer8 = {{hlist|Brown|Magnus Høiberg|Peder Losnegård|Rakim Mayers|Jamal Phillips|Tariq Devega|Tatianna Paulino}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Cashmere Cat|Lido}}
| length8 = 2:33
| title9 = Swipe Life
| note9 = featuring Rick Ross
| writer9 = {{hlist|Brown|Jeff Washington||Tashfiqur Patwary|Chris Basham|William Roberts II}}
| extra9 = VERYRVRE
| length9 = 3:13
| title10 = Uzi Gang
| note10 = featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Marty Baller
| writer10 = {{hlist|Brown|Bryan Simmons|Symere Woods|Milton Martin III}}
| extra10 = TM88
| length10 = 3:32
| title11 = Beautiful People
| note11 = featuring Chuck D and Mama Ferg
| writer11 = {{hlist|Brown|Barsh|Abdul-Rahman|Volpe|Carlton Ridenhour|Marvin Gay Jr.|James Nyx}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|DJ Khalil|Clams Casino}}
| length11 = 3:15
| title12 = Damn Not Again (Skit)
| writer12 = Brown
| extra12 = Todd Bee
| length12 = 0:21
| title13 = Let You Go
| writer13 = {{hlist|Brown|Mikkel Eriksen|Tor Hermansen}}
| extra13 = StarGate
| length13 = 3:16
| title14 = World Is Mine
| note14 = featuring Big Sean
| writer14 = {{hlist|Brown|Ernest Wilson|Sean Anderson}}
| extra14 = No I.D.
| length14 = 3:45
| title15 = Phone Call With Breezy (Skit)
| writer15 = Brown
| extra15 = Todd Bee
| length15 = 0:41
| title16 = I Love You
| note16 = featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign
| writer16 = {{hlist|Brown|Marvin Thomas|Jordan Lewis|Christopher Brown|Tyrone Griffin, Jr.}}
| extra16 = {{hlist|Hagler|Jordan Lewis}}
| length16 = 3:47
| title17 = Grandma (Skit)
| writer17 = Brown
| extra17 = Todd Bee
| length17 = 0:20
| title18 = Grandma
| writer18 = {{hlist|Brown|Barsh|Abdul-Rahman|Sid Sriram}}
| extra18 = DJ Khalil
| length18 = 3:50
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Best Buy deluxe edition (bonus tracks){{cite web|url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/always-strive-and-prosper-pa-only--best-buy-cd/4996901.p?id=3569229&skuId=4996901 |title=A$AP Ferg - Always Strive and Prosper [PA] (Only @ Best Buy) - CD |publisher=Best Buy |date=2016-04-25 |accessdate=2016-04-25}}
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 54:02
| title19 = Don't Mind
| note19 = featuring French Montana and Fabolous
| writer19 = {{hlist|Brown|Michael Hernandez|Andrew Liburd|Karim Kharbouch|John Jackson}}
| extra19 = {{hlist|Foreign Teck|Burd & Keyz}}
| length19 = 3:00
| title20 = Back Hurt
| note20 = featuring Migos
| writer20 = {{hlist|Brown|Miguel Cortidor|Danyal Ahmed|Quavious Marshall|Kirsnick Ball|Pierre Thomas}}
| extra20 = {{hlist|Danny Wolf|Soldado}}
| length20 = 3:34
}}
Notes
- "Rebirth" and "Psycho" features background vocals from Nikki Grier.
- "Beautiful People" features background vocal from Nikki Grier and Lauren Pardini.
- "Grandma" features background vocals from Sid Sriram, Ajanee Hambrick and Malik Spence.
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|16|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 30, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|102|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 29, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|11|artist=A$AP Ferg|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 3, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|France|142|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 9, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|77|id=300743|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 29, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|35|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 29, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Norway|34|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 30, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|38|artist=A$AP Ferg|album=Always Strive and Prosper|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 4, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|67|date=2016-05-05|rowheader=true|accessdate=April 30, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|8|artist=A$AP Ferg|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 3, 2016}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|2|artist=A$AP Ferg|rowheader=true|accessdate=May 3, 2016}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2016/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2016|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=July 2, 2020}}
| 70 |
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{ASAP Ferg}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Clams Casino (musician)
Category:Albums produced by DJ Khalil
Category:Albums produced by Mustard (record producer)
Category:Albums produced by Lex Luger
Category:Albums produced by Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
Category:Albums produced by Stargate