A$AP Rocky has come a long way from being the young upstart out of Harlem. The other guy standing next to French Montana in our March/April issue has become one of rap’s biggest names. He helped bring New York rap back to its rightful spot and announced his arrival with a highly anticipated major label debut, Long. Live. A$AP.

Since then, Rocky has been continuing to push his own personal style and sound, whether it is through fashion or experimenting with new collaborators. Just recently, Rocky has expressed interest in working with British singer Jessie Ware and Riff Raff, which is a testament to his growing appeal. But it was a year and a half ago that Rocky started to make a buzz with his mixtapes.

From career defining moments like the release of “Purple Swag” to the follow-up “Peso,” these are 20 Essential A$AP Rocky Mixtape Songs.—Eric Diep (@E_Diep), Nicolas Molina, Abrea Armstrong, & Nicole Murphy

Previously: 20 Essential French Montana Mixtape Songs

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"Superman" ft. Jigg, Turf Talk & Big Paybacc
Mixtape: Interstate Mixtape Volume 3 (2011)

A$AP Rocky ventured to the Bay for a bouncy posse cut featuring mainstays like Turf Talk and Jigg. Over some production by Mr. Loon3, we get a early look at how A$AP took his Harlem ways over to the West Coast to leave quite an impression.

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"Been Around the World"
Mixtape: Deep Purple (2011)

On A$AP’s unauthorized released mixtape Deep Purple, “Been Around The World” kicks off the tape as a song dripping with the H-Town aesthetic. The slow-burner truly established what the young Harlem spitter was capable of. More importantly, it sets the tone for an entire six songs dedicated to transcending traditional New York rap.

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"Purple Swag"
Mixtape: Deep Purple (2011)

“Purple Swag” and its accompanied video directed by Jason Ano took the rap blog game by storm. Now with more than 19 million views on YouTube, the song perfectly described how A$AP walked the line between Houston and Harlem influences. The swagger exuding in his rhymes and the slowed-down flow piqued curiosity of many rap fans at the time. Years later, the now-infamous girl in the video still keeps it trill.

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"Back to the Future"
Mixtape: N/A (2011)

On this early smoker's friendly cut, A$AP spits a hazy flow over some woozy production with extra spacey effects. Through the clouds, he establishes the A$AP motto, which is fittingly “party, get high. We back to the future—that Marty McFly.” Any Back to the Future references are pure nostalgia for anyone who is a product of the ‘90s.

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"Make It Stack" ft. Lloyd Banks
Mixtape: Cold Corner 2 (2011)

Alongside Lloyd Banks, A$AP Rocky rhymes about the road to success. “I take you back down the road. Before the riches and bitches, and the platinum and gold. I got it all from the work. No contract in my soul.”

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"Peso"
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

First unleashed onto the Internet two years ago, "Peso" was Rocky's first single from Live. Love. A$AP and the song that likely made him famous. The track is produced by A$AP Ty Beats and chances are you've heard it before.

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"Bass"
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

This aptly titled Clams Casino track sits at the three spot on Live. Love. A$AP, and hits about as hard as any track in Rocky's catalog at a sluggish 74 bpm. Proceed with caution when popping trunk. "What you think four for, these niggas must be loco/Steppin' on these bricks and for your fix so call me Toto/Follow me, follow me, follow me--"

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"Wassup"
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

"Wassup"--another mixtape track from Clams Casino--provides a smooth, atmospheric backdrop for one of Rocky's most quotable efforts on his debut tape. "Shout out my parolees, and I smoke that OG/Kush mother fuck the police, all my niggas rock gold teeth."

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"Trilla" ft. A$AP Twelvy and A$AP Nast
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

In “Trilla”, Rocky let’s you know straight up what the deal is. “My gold teeth, my French braids/ Gettin’ throwed since 10th grade” A$AP Mob members Twelvy and Nast make guest appearances on this cut. Together, they all let you know that the A$AP Mob has been on top of its game and plans on staying there.

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"Brand New Guy" ft. Schoolboy Q
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

Perhaps the most essential track on this list, "Brand New Guy" was A$AP's first chance to really flex his range as a rapper. The result was a certified banger on which he and Schoolboy Q trade bars worthy of "Brooklyn's Finest" comparisons.

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"Houston Old Head"
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

They say wisdom comes with age and Flacko describes this scenario by creating a pseudo-dialogue between him and an OG. With the story being set in Houston, the groove alone will automatically have you leanin’.

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"Kissin' Pink" ft. A$AP Ferg
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

This is one of the more slept on tracks off Live. Love. A$AP, on which crew member A$AP Ferg made his hilarious debut: "Movin like its turtle time/Feelin' like the world is mine/and i be on my Fergenstein--"

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"Keep It G" ft. Chace Infinite & SpaceGhostPurrp
Mixtape: Live. Love. A$AP (2011)

Before their widely publicized beef, Rocky and producer SpaceGhostPurrp had serious chemistry in the studio. On no other track is this more apparent than on "Keep it G", one of the highlights from the tape that made both of them famous. From the barely intelligible intro rant through Chase Infinite's memorable verse and hook, this instructional anthem is a definite essential.

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"Thuggin' Noise"
Mixtape: Lord$ Never Worry (2012)

After seeing major success, A$AP wanted to show us that he’s still mobbin’ with his crew. “Thuggin’ Noise” is the soundtrack to the A$AP Mob, as Rocky says in the chorus that he’s been “thuggin’ with his team.” Even with his pockets a little bit bigger, the A$AP leader hasn’t changed a bit.

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"Bath Salt" ft. A$AP Ant & Flatbush Zombies
Mixtape: Lord$ Never Worry (2012)

Two of New York’s boroughs connect on “Bath Salt.” The first single for the A$AP Mob’s compilation mixtape is everything you’d expect from a buzzworthy word that symbolizes a zombie apocalypse. Producer P on the Boards provides an ominous production for the trio to set it off with their menacing verses.

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"Purple Kisses"
Mixtape: Lord$ Never Worry (2012)

With a hook like, “It’s so easy to fall in love,” Rocky fills us in on his ongoing love triangle between women and drugs. “Purple Kisses” is for that moment when you have all three and simply need to put the icing on the cake.

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"Freeze" ft. Jim Jones
Mixtape: Lord$ Never Worry (2012)

In one of the stronger cuts off Lord$ Never Worry, Rocky melts into the brooding, claustrophobic production of Clams Casino while the Capo drops one of his most vivid verses of recent memory.

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"Street Knock" ft. Swizz Beatz
Mixtape: Monster Mondays (2012)

Featuring that classic Swizz Beatz sound, and raw rhymes from A$AP Rocky, the araabMUSIK-produced “Street Knock” appeals to the masses. Adding a touch of his Harlem swag, Rocky spits, “Goddamnit I’m a genius. Swagger is the meanest. Weird green haired chicks from Venus on my penis. Twisting up our fingers, you know who my team is.”

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"Big Spender" ft. Theophilus London
Mixtape: Rose Island Vol. 1 (2012)

The beat hits hard in “Big Spender”, but when A$AP Rocky joined forces with fellow New Yorker Theophilus London, we didn’t expect any less. Equipped with boastful verses and a clever same-name sample from jazz great Peggy Lee, “Big Spender” is not a track to miss.

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"Ridin'" ft. Lana Del Rey
Mixtape: N/A (2012)

A$AP Rocky and Lana Del Rey appeared together in the “National Anthem” video. She returned the favor on an unreleased record called “Ridin’” featuring production by The Kickdrums. Here, it is evident that Rocky wanted to experiment with his sound, as well as display his affinity for Del Rey. "Long hair, Lana that's my bitch/You can tell by the swagger in her lips," he raps in the chorus.

Although Rocky didn’t give the green light for The Kickdrums to feature it on their Follow The Leader tape, the track stands as slept-on cut from his catalogue. It is an arresting listen.

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