A$AP Ferg - FLIP PHONE SHORTY - STRICTLY FOR DA STREETZ VOL. 1

A$AP Ferg steps into the world of the two-button mobile phone for a release that aims to be a nod to his roots. The project, titled Flip Phone Shorty – Strictly for Da Streetz Vol. 1, arrives in 2025 and presents itself as a mixtape built around a retro aesthetic.

"Big Dawg" (Lex Luger) and "Ball": intentionally raw production

The sonic foundation of this album is deliberately stripped back. The beats are "menacing", threatening, yet remain simple without excessive flourishes. The track Ball opens the album with a very classic trap instrumental that immediately sets the tone: that of a hard-hitting comeback, raw and direct. This approach seeks not to impress through production complexity but through the raw energy of the flow and lyrics. The only solid anchor is Big Dawg, produced by Lex Luger. While the other tracks stay in the realm of rough experimentation, Big Dawg stands out for its strength, as if the producer took extra care with it.

Gucci Mane, Denzel Curry, CeeLo Green: an international cast that redefines the sonic palette

What strikes immediately about this project is the diversity of voices that step in on the tracks. On Fisher Price, Lil B steps in to inject underground energy that contrasts with Ferg's more commercial style. His distinct flow reinforces the "street-coded" aspect of the project, as if he were validating a certain street code simply by his presence. On Uptown Baby, French Montana brings festive energy and a charismatic flow typical of his usual register, which fits perfectly with the "club" theme of the track. Denzel Curry is present on two tracks: Focus on Me and Young Og. In both cases, he brings raw intensity and an aggressive flow that match the "menacing" side of the production. His presence adds a technical and experimental dimension to the album, as if he were trying to push the project toward darker and more technical territories. Finally, on Flip Phone Anthem, Awich and Gucci Mane step in together. Their distinct flows contrast with Ferg's more commercial style and reinforce the underground aspect of the project.

From technical aggression to R&B melody: a dense writing despite the narrative chaos

On certain tracks, he adopts an aggressive, almost confrontational tone, while other moments prioritize melody and vocal fluidity. This alternation creates an interesting dynamic, but it can also give the impression of a lack of global narrative coherence. The chaotic storytelling is sometimes justified by themes of flexing or by the constraints of the flip-phone concept, yet it remains difficult to master across the entire album. Some tracks seem to move away from the usual codes of street rap to explore more personal or experimental territories, which can be perceived as a strength or a weakness depending on the listener's ear.

Verdict: between compositional discipline and aesthetic success of the street concept

Flip Phone Shorty – Strictly for Da Streetz Vol. 1 is a polarizing album. For some, its chaotic energy and deliberately rough production constitute an aesthetic success, a return to the roots that recalls A$AP Ferg's beginnings in street rap. For others, this lack of compositional discipline and the perceived overall inferior quality compared to his previous albums since Trap Lord are major drawbacks. This project remains primarily a conceptual experience: it does not seek to impose a perfect sound or flawless production, but rather to explore the aesthetic of street rap as it was perceived in the 2000s. In this light, the album functions as a coherent artistic proposition, even if it is deliberately imperfect and raw.