1 Train (song)
"1 Train" | |
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Song by ASAP Rocky featuring Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Big K.R.I.T. | |
from the album Long. Live. ASAP | |
Released | January 15, 2013 |
Recorded | 2012 |
Genre | East Coast hip hop |
Length | 6:12 |
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Hit-Boy |
Audio sample | |
"1 Train" is a song by American
Background
The song features an ensemble of young rappers Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Big K.R.I.T. Rocky described the meaning behind the song saying, "I wanted to make a posse cut that felt like an original '90s underground track, and I didn't have to tell anyone what to do." He also said he "took it upon myself to feature all the people who I respect as artists of my generation." Rocky wanted to make sure that the track turned out perfectly, so he pieced it together himself, determining the order of every feature.[1][2] He also said his favorite verse in the song is K.R.I.T.'s.[3]
The song's title is a reference to New York City's No. 1 subway line. Rocky elaborated saying, "When you think about New York, you think about things like the subway, and I needed to bring it back to that essence," he said. "[But] when I'm rapping and mentioning 'anything is better than that 1 train,' it's the truth."[1] He also said, "I was just thinking of each artist as a different train stop, and when you hear that beat, it just brings me back to like - well, for me, it brings me back to being at the bus stop or being on the train early in the morning, cold, mad at life on the way to school late. I'm showing up third period - that's the 1 train. Anything is better than the 1 train."[4]
On December 18, 2012, the song leaked along with the rest of the album, a month before its retail release.[5] Following the song's leak, it was rumored that Joey Badass would be signing to Jay-Z's Roc Nation record label, due to his comments in the song.[6] However, in January 2013, Joey dispelled the rumors saying he would rather stay independent than sign to a major label for the time being.[7]
Music and lyrics
"1 Train" features a looped instrumental sampled from the 2003 song "Senen" by
Critical reception
The song was met with generally positive reviews, and sparked much debate on which rapper had the strongest verse on the song.
David Amidon of
Chart performance
Chart (2013) | Peak position |
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US | 3 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[29] | 31 |
References
- ^ a b Alexis, Nadeska (2013-01-16). "A$AP Rocky Hopes '1 Train' Rides Like A '90s 'Posse Cut' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "Video: A$AP Rocky Discusses His Posse Cut "1 Train"". Complex. 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky Says Big K.R.I.T. Has The Best Verse On "1 Train"". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Homie, Big (2013-01-15). "Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg Interviews A$AP Rocky". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "New Music: ASAP Rocky – "1Train" feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T." Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "Joey Bada$$ Hints at Roc Nation Signing on A$AP Rocky's '1 Train'". Billboard. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (2013-02-27). "Joey Bada$$ Explains Remaining Independent, Not Signing To Roc Nation | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "Feature for January 22, 2013 - A$AP Rocky's "Long. Live. A$AP"". Rapreviews.com. 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky, Long.Live.A$AP Review - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Mikael Wood (2013-01-14). "Album review: ASAP Rocky makes big jump with 'Long Live ASAP'". Los Angeles Times. Articles.latimes.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "Album Review: ASAP Rocky – LongLiveASAP". Consequence of Sound. 2013-01-07. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Andrew Unterberger (2012-12-18). "Ranking the Seven Rappers' Verses on ASAP Rocky's "1 Train"". Popdust. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) (2013-02-21). "A$AP Rocky Reveals Who He Felt Had The Best Verse On "1 Train'". AllHipHop.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Fox, Luke (2013-01-14). "A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP • Hip-Hop Reviews •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Cooper, Roman (2013-01-14). "A$AP Rocky - LongLiveA$AP | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky/Action Bronson". Social.entertainment.msn.com. 2013-03-11. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Chris DeVille (2013-01-22). "A$AP Rocky: Long.Live.A$AP | Music | MusicalWork Review". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Carl Williott (2012-12-18). "A$AP Rocky's "1 Train": Hear The Massive Posse Cut With Kendrick Lamar, Yelawolf, Danny Brown & More | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Nosnitsky, Andrew. "A$AP Rocky, 'LONG.LIVE.A$AP' Review". Spin.com. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Amidon, David. "A$AP Rocky: Long. Live. A$AP". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ MICHAEL C. WALSH (2013-01-16). "A$AP Rocky | Long.Live.A$AP - CD Reviews". Thephoenix.com. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky: Long. Live. A$AP. | Music Review". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "Long.Live.A$AP – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 2013-01-10. Archived from the original on 2013-01-12. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "NME Album Reviews - A$AP Rocky - 'Long.Live.A$AP'". Nme.Com. 2013-01-18. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ Dan Jackson. "Review: A$AP Rocky - Long.Live.A$AP (Polo Grounds/RCA)". Cmj.com. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
- ^ "The 13 Best Rap Verses of 2013". Retrieved 2019-09-15.
- ^ "HipHopDX's Top 25 Albums Of 2013". Archived from the original on 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2013-12-30.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.