TESTING Tracklist
TESTING is the third studio album by Harlem rapper, A$AP Rocky, following his last album AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP released in 2015.
In an interview with GQ, A$AP said that this album is really about experimentation with new sounds:
People are scared to test new sounds, so they go with what’s current, ‘cause it’s the easy thing to do. I don’t just rap – I actually make music. That’s why it takes time. These sonics represent me.
The album proves to be one of Rocky’s most versatile. Just like its selection of samples, TESTING plays host to a far-reaching list of contributors. The most unexpected guests include FKA twigs and MGMT, who both help to make “Fukk Sleep” the waking-dream of a space-trap cut that it is. Elsewhere, Dev Hynes adds his nostalgic-R&B Blood Orange vibe to “Hund43d.”
The album is also extremely personal at times. On “Purity” he raps about losing loved ones in his life, and on “Changes” he ponders on his previous relationships.
A range of musical styles and genres have been achieved on this album, truly living up to its title.
The album was released on May 25th as well as its credits and its tracklist.
“TESTING” Q&A
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What has the artist said about the album?
This was taken from Rocky’s interview with Don Diva Magazine in January this year:
It’s like one of those albums that niggas been waiting on, but they don’t know they need it. Basically, the point of this whole shit is just testing new sounds. Just new wavelengths. It’s more so the outcome of an experiment, you know? People call young cats mumble rappers; people call old heads jealous. I feel like I’m in the middle, you know? I ’m not young enough to be a mumble rapper, or old enough to be an old head. So I’m in a position where I want to make music for that medium. I’m not really good at self-promoting. I like to let the product speak for itself.
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How did this album perform on the charts?
TESTING debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 for the week of June 9th, 2018. It moved 75,000 copy equivalents during its debut week.
