A$AP Rocky, Babushka Boi | Track Review

Despite the release of the so-so ‘TESTING’ in 2018, as well as his Swedish controversy, A$AP Rocky drops a fantastic, drippy banger with “Babushka Boi.”  

“I would like to dedicate / To the scar on my face / All the stars of the globe / This world is yours, Scarface.” What a chorus! Sadly, things have been a bit ‘sketch’ for A$AP Rocky as of late – late being 2018 – 19.  In 2018, he released his third studio album, TESTING, which honestly wasn’t nearly as good as his first two.  Yes, the rapper literally was ‘testing’ a variety of ideas and sounds, but the results were mixed, no matter what apologists might say! Beyond the album however, there was the whole Sweden controversy – not a good situation. The good news is, Rocky’s single “Babushka Boi” absolutely slaps.

The main reason “Babushka Boi” shines is thanks to the flow of A$AP Rocky. Since breaking through with Long.Live.A$AP, he’s always been compelling to listen to.  That’s very much the case here, not only with the flow itself, but also the bars.  He doesn’t say anything that’s drenched in depth mind you, but his confidence – “Nigga, Flacko Jodye season” – is noteworthy to some extent.  Of course, he does reference his luxury babushka on the third verse (“Buck fifty, my babushka”), among other drippy moments.  Beyond the flex, “Babushka Boi” thrives off its awesome production work by Héctor Delgado and Boys Noize. It should be noted, of course, that “Babushka Boi” gets a lift from Da Crime Click. The song “You Hoes Gone Get Kidnapped” is sampled, making that babushka swag even more, well, ‘swagalicious.’

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, A$AP Rocky takes a ‘W’ on “Babushka Boi.” As aforementioned, this drippy banger absolutely slaps.  All boxes are checked off – flow, rhymes, and production.  No, “Babushka Boi” won’t change the game, nor does it give Rocky another “Fuckin’ Problems” caliber commercial hit, but it is tight AF.

A$AP Rocky • Babushka Boi [Single] • RCA • Release: 8.28.19

Photo Credit: RCA