A$AP Ferg, Pups | Track Review

A$AP Ferg continues to embrace the brief song on single “Pups,” featuring his frequent collaborator and fellow A$AP Mob member, A$AP Rocky.

If you weren’t already aware, shorter songs are in style.  A$AP Ferg has been a proponent of this, releasing a number of brief singles.  The problem with some of his briefer offerings has been a shortage on quality, sigh.  Once again, the rapper releases a brief single (two-and-a-half-minutes-plus), “Pups,” enlisting his bud A$AP Rocky for the assist.

“Pups” has some pros.  First and foremost, both A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky bring energy to their respective parts.  Even if and when the rhymes aren’t the most intellectually stimulating, you’ll ever hear, the energy is through the roof.  Furthermore, the production work (Frankie P) is quite alluring with its hyper-rhythmic beat, anchored by 808s, and of course, the minor-key synths. As far as the rubs, well, the barking dog sound effects may fit the title and vibe, but it’s definitely laughable – “Arf, arf, arf!” The chorus is catchy, but again, hard to find a lot of meaningfulness beyond “Where’s my dawgs at?” As far as the rhymes themselves, essentially, both rappers talk a whole lot of shit.

Final Thoughts

So, how does “Pups” stack up? If nothing else, “It’s a Vibe” to quote 2 Chainz.  Beyond that, there’s little substance.  Sure, listeners are treated to a couple of memorable lyrical moments whether it be “Never tacky, jeans made by Acne / Fuck Governor Pataki and Patakis” or “And I got these hoes, feelin’ like Mo Bamba,” but “Pups” is more flex-fest than anything else.  At least Frankie P hooks Ferg and Rocky up with that beat though.

A$AP Ferg • Pups (Ft. A$AP Rocky) [Single] • RCA • Release: 5.9.19

Photo Credit: RCA