The trend of releasing mixtapes over proper albums in the world of hip-hop and rap music has seen an extensive increase within the last few years.

While some will argue whether or not this is due in part to Lil Wayne’s successful run of mixtapes that predate the release of the first Tha Carter album, there is no denying that rappers have found mixtapes as an outlet to continually release music to their fans with few hindrances, such as sample clearances or label ties.

The last few weeks have seen an exceptional output of great mixtapes from the well known to the new breed of rappers looking to gain recognition.

Possibly one of the most talked about (and well done) mixtapes that’s been released lately comes from Harlem MC A$AP Rocky.

The interesting thing about Rocky is the fact that even before releasing his first official mixtape, he had already been given a $3 million contract advance with Polo Grounds Music both for his solo output and to start up his group label, A$AP Worldwide.

To put this into perspective, Young Money artist Drake was reported as receiving a $2 million advance, while 50 Cent’s original contract with Aftermath Records was signed for $1 million.

If that doesn’t already put a weight on the career of Rocky, I don’t know what does.

So, does Live.Love.A$AP. live up to the warranted hype of a $3 million deal? The answer is an emphatic yes.

In a time that’s being characterized by cliché rap styles and content, Rocky finds a way to combine his musical influences to be the proverbial “breath of fresh air” the hip-hop scene is in desperate need of receiving, especially in the East Coast scene. Ironically enough, the East Coast, most specifically Rocky’s native Harlem, New York, seems to be the area of influence he is least concerned with.

While deep down Rocky is a tried and true Harlem slick talker such as area heroes Cam’ron and Jim Jones, it’s the influence that the Houston Screw scene that seems to shine the most in his music.

Rocky, himself, acknowledges this in Live.Love.A$AP’s opening track “Palace” where he says, “Influenced by Houston/ you can hear it in my music.”

This statement is only strengthened by the use of dark, ominous g-funk beats reminiscent of the Houston scene created by A$AP crew members Clams Casino, ASAP Ty Beats and Miami’s own up-and-coming rapper/producer Spaceghost Purrp, who is also making a name for himself in the underground hip-hop scene (for further reference, check out his mixtape Blackland Radio 66.6 that was released earlier this year).

The standout track “Purple Swag: Chapter 2”, which boasts features from Spaceghost Purrp and crew member ASAP Nast is a perfect example of Rocky’s marriage to the Houston sound; a slowed, g-funk sounding instrumental with booming bass that allows Rocky to gracefully glide along the track with a southern flow.

It’s also on this track that Rocky decides to demonstrate another side to his already enigmatic flow, his ability to rap in the same half-sung cadence that was made popular by Cleveland rappers Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. This in turns adds another dimension to Rocky’s aesthetic, almost placing him in the same category as early Three 6 Mafia recordings.

However, Live.Love.A$AP. isn’t just a one-track affair. The Spaceghost Purrp produced “Keep it G” continues to demonstrate the Houston influence with a G-Funk inspired instrumental reminiscent of early Screwed Up Clique artists like Fat Pat and E.S.G. Clams Casino’s production on the aforementioned “Palace”, as well as “Bass” and “Leaf” provide the same gritty, sinister chillwave-like backdrop that he’s provided to prolific underground artist Lil B this past year.

“Bass” even further draws connection from Rocky to Houston, slowing his voice down to a deep drawl during sections of the song that’s similar to the Screw style Houston is known for.

And of course, there’s no denying the track that started it all for Rocky, the ASAP Ty Beats produced “Peso”, which hit the Internet earlier this summer and gave Rocky the momentum needed to break into the New York airwaves and eventually find a recording contract.

“Peso” is ironically the only track that remotely displays Rocky’s Harlem upbringing, from the Jim Jones-like delivery to being one of the few spots on the mixtape that Rocky openly reps Harlem.

Listening to this track, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding Rocky.

With his first actual outing as a paid recording artist, A$AP Rocky has clearly proven that he just might be worth every penny that Sony has spent on him.

From this point, he is said to commercially release Live.LoveA$AP., sometime in the near future, as well as releasing a mixtape to put his crew on entitled LongLiveA$AP sometime next year.

The Verdict: 87%