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
ASAP Ferg
ReleasedApril 22, 2016
Recorded2015–16
GenreHip hop
Length
  • 47:28 (standard edition)
  • 54:02 (Best Buy deluxe edition)
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

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. The following day, the music video was released.[5]

Promotional singles

"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
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

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
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

References
  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. "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.
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