A$AP Rocky’s popularity and reputation has without doubt grown enormously, since the release of his latest album At.Long.Last.A$AP. It got released to huge critical acclaim, demonstrating the Harlem rapper’s abilities outside of the trap-rap genre that he’s become so associated with. It’s only fitting then that Rocky plays shows in more of a mainstream light – which is exactly what he did last week when he played Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Playing with collaborator Schoolboy Q on their track Electric Body and solo on Canal St – both from the latest album – Rocky blew a sea of fans away with two stellar performances. Live band as backing, Rocky obviously feels right at home on Canal St, grabbing his crotch to the screams of a huge amount of girls and even moshing along with other feature Bones. The psychedelic instrumentals work well with Rocky’s style, looking much more rock and roll than his usual streetwear aesthetic. He’s becoming way bigger, and it’s performances like this that really demonstrate that.
This appearance on Kimmel was all ahead of his absolutely huge tour with Tyler, The Creator, Danny Brown and Vince Staples which kicked off in the U.S. over the weekend. Aside from the promotional video which got released last week, this is a huge promotion for it in itself. Kimmel’s a huge television personality and though Rocky almost doesn’t need it, more people will know about the tour now no doubt.