Long live A$AP RCA***

2011 was the year of the Rocky, as the Harlem rapper appeared with his breakout Live Love A$AP mixtape, which led to with a multimillion-dollar recording deal. Since then Rakim Mayers has waited – and waited – for a release slot, while youths such as Chief Keef sucked up all the promo oxygen. But debut album Long Live A$AP is a fine piece of work and augers well for the patient approach. Weird sounds are polished and buffed by producers including Danger Mouse, Clams Casino, Hit-Boy and Skrillex (see the dizzy, high- pitched bro-shriek on Wild for the Night) into perfectly pitched soundclashes, while Rocky ensures his rhymes about being young, rich and swag are sized to fit. He bosses a gallery that includes Action Bronson, Kendrick Lamar and Big KRIT on 1 Train, while the majestic Suddenly spins childhood memories full of detail and intensity. facebook.com/asaprocky

Download:Suddenly, 1 Train