Further, Nast sounds better on the subsequent track, “Money Man,” where he apes Rocky’s flow.Ĭozy Tapes’ emphasis on Rocky brings into question why it was ever turned into a group effort. The exception is “Nasty’s World,” a track very much set up to be Nast’s “Method Man.” He’s a capable rapper, but that’s not enough, especially when younger rappers (like Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, and MadeinTYO-all showcased here) are succeeding and amassing followings with more experimental styles. Instead of trying to showcase individuals, Cozy Tapes has a great cohesion, with Ant, Nast, and Twelvyy playing bit roles. The tape succeeded in shining a light on Ferg, but no one else has popped off as intended. On Lord$, there was a concerted effort to showcase the lesser known members of the collective, hoping to turn them from secret weapons into superstars. As such, it is eons beyond Lord$ Never Worry, their debut mixtape, which is nothing more than a bloated victory lap that feels laughable four years later. No matter how much Rocky excels, Cozy Tapes is still billed as an A$AP Mob album. None of these songs would stand out on their own (à la “ Wild for the Night”) if not for Rocky and the Mob’s efforts on top of them. Cozy Tapes has a very modest roster of producers, which allows him to set the tone and vibe. Rocky, for his part, never rapped about much more than material goods, but that aspiration felt important when he was doing so over beats that he could command and felt specific to him-not overpriced ones that would go to the highest bidder. Though the highs of $AP are very high (“Goldie,” “ Long Live A$AP,” “1Train”), the entire album is bogged down by an obsession with high-profile collaborators and manufactured swagger, like an oversized Rick Owens outfit. He’s long been lauded as an expert stylist and curator, but that too often has been a distraction from his skill.
It’s the first time since $AP where Rocky’s pure rapping ability is the focal point.
Each track on Cozy Tapes finds him successfully using a new flow: “Crazy Brazy” is an impressive display of agility “Money Man” is all measured and melodic repetition and “London Town” is his best, with bars that spill over and build on themselves. Taking the record for what it is, Cozy Tapes is Rocky’s most cohesive project since his debut.īeyond being the face of the group, Rocky proves that he remains, by far, the most talented rapper in the Mob-including Ferg. In another (there are a lot of skits here), someone’s pursuing a woman, and his greatest attribute is his association with Rocky and the perks that come with it. In one skit, they’re convinced to go somewhere only after verifying Rocky won’t join them. (For comparison, Ferg is on only two tracks, and Ant is at second-most with just four features.) Whether intentionally or not, the rest of the Mob readily acknowledge that it’s Rocky’s show. In practice, Cozy Tapes is an A$AP Rocky album, as he appears on all but three songs.
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