Multiply (ASAP Rocky song)

"Multiply" is a hip hop song recorded by American rapper ASAP Rocky, which was made available for online streaming on October 3, 2014. Four days later, it was released as a digital single by RCA Records. The song features Juicy J and was produced by Curtis Heron. A music video for the track was co-directed by ASAP Rocky and Shomi Patwary. The single serves as a promotional single for Rocky's second studio album At. Long. Last. ASAP (2015).

"Multiply"
Promotional single by ASAP Rocky featuring Juicy J
from the album At. Long. Last. ASAP (intended)
ReleasedOctober 3, 2014 (2014-10-03)
Recorded2013–14
GenreHip hop[1]
Length3:44
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Curtis Heron
ASAP Rocky singles chronology
"Pretend"
(2014)
"Multiply"
(2014)
"Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2)"
(2015)
Juicy J singles chronology
"She Knows"
(2014)
"Multiply"
(2014)
"I Don't Mind"
(2014)

Release and composition

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On October 2, 2014, ASAP Rocky announced that he had signed a contract with William Morris Endeavor and would be represented by the agency worldwide. The same day, ASAP Yams and ASAP Rocky posted links to the website FlackoJodyeSeason.com, and announced a release for midnight.[2] The song, along with the music video, was released at midnight on the website, which had previously displayed a countdown timer. Upon the release, ASAP Rocky teased the release of his second studio album but gave no further details.[3][4]

"Multiply" is three minutes and 44 seconds long (3:44).[5] The song was produced by Curtis Heron and features Juicy J.[6] In the song, ASAP Rocky makes several references to the fashion industry, saying "I'm the motherfuckin' lord of this fashion shit / Don't I deserve just to brag a bit?" and mentioning designer brands Balmain and Maison Martin Margiela.[7] He also mocks fashion labels Been Trill and Hood By Air, which he has supported in the past. Further, ASAP Rocky honors deceased rapper Pimp C with the line "Even in my will, keep it trill to the day I peel."[4]

The record was physically released as a b-side to the white 7" LPFJ2 vinyl record released for Record Store Day in 2015

Critical reception

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Been Trill responded to the song by selling T-shirts printed with a screenshot of A$AP Rocky standing in front of a screen displaying a verboten sign placed over the Been Trill logo. He also showed disappointment towards ASAP Rocky but complimented the song and music video.[8] Consequence of Sound described the sound of the song as a "gritty, hard-hitting anthem", while James Harris of Complex called it "aggressive" and an "absolute banger".[7][9]

Music video

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The music video for "Multiply", co-directed by ASAP Rocky and Shomi Patwary, takes place in New York City and features the ASAP Mob rapping in a room equipped with numerous LED lights, on the streets of New York, and the subway. Rapper Yung Gleesh and M-1 of Dead Prez also make appearances in the video.[3][10]

Charts

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Chart (2014) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[11] 79
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[12] 40
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13] 184
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[14] 27
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[15] 49

Live performances

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ASAP Rocky first performed "Multiply" with ASAP Ferg during the latter's set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2014.[16]

Release history

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Country Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Australia October 7, 2014 Digital download RCA Records [17]
Canada [18]
New Zealand [19]
United Kingdom [20]
United States [21]

Certifications

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Certifications for "Multiply"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ A$AP Rocky feat. Juicy J - Multiply - Listen - | Audiomack Archived 2014-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Bobb, Maurice (October 2, 2014). "A$AP Rocky Is Back—And He Just Signed With The WME Talent Agency". MTV. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Brandle, Lars (October 3, 2014). "A$AP Rocky Returns with 'Multiply': Watch". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Grow, Kory (October 3, 2014). "See A$AP Rocky Pay Tribute to Pimp C in 'Multiply' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  5. ^ "Multiply (feat. Juicy J) (prod. Curtis Heron)". SoundCloud. October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  6. ^ Raymer, Miles (October 3, 2014). "A$AP Rocky returns with 'Multiply'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Harris, James (October 3, 2014). "A$AP Rocky Spits Anti-#BEEN TRILL# Lyrics and Goes After Other Popular Brands in His New Single "Multiply"". Complex. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  8. ^ Muller, Marissa G. (October 3, 2014). "Been Trill Already Has A Response To A$AP Rocky's 'Multiply' Dis". MTV. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "ASAP Rocky releases new single "Multiply" — watch". Consequence of Sound. October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  10. ^ Beauchemin, Molly (October 3, 2014). "A$AP Rocky Shares New Video For "Multiply" Featuring Juicy J". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "A$AP Rocky feat. Juicy J – Multiply" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  12. ^ "A$AP Rocky feat. Juicy J – Multiply" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  13. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "CHART: CLUK Update 18.10.2014 (wk41)". Zobbel.de. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  14. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  15. ^ "Top Hip-Hop Songs/R&B (November 1, 2014)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  16. ^ "VIDEO: ASAP Rocky Performs New Song At Coachella". Ddotomen.com. April 12, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  17. ^ "Multiply (feat. Juicy J) - Single by A$AP Rocky". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  18. ^ "Multiply (feat. Juicy J) - Single by A$AP Rocky". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  19. ^ "Multiply (feat. Juicy J) - Single by A$AP Rocky". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  20. ^ "Multiply (feat. Juicy J) - Single by A$AP Rocky". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  21. ^ "Multiply (feat. Juicy J) - Single by A$AP Rocky". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – ASAP Rocky – Multiply (feat. Juicy J)". Recording Industry Association of America.
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