Contemporary wisdom says hype begets hype. Harlem-native Rakim Meyers, known to millions as A$AP Rocky, knows all too well that hype builds upon itself.

His impossibly mature and refreshing debut mixtape, Live.Love.A$AP, garnered so much praise that exceeding those expectations on his major label debut seemed impossible.

A year older and a year wiser, Rocky has now released one of the most creative and surprising rap albums in recent history.

Long.Live.A$AP  boasts guest features from Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Danny Brown, ScHoolboy Q, Drake, and even songstresses including Florence Welch and Santigold.

With such a star-studded line up one might think it would tough for Rocky to shine on his own album. Not so, as Rocky’s endless adaptability lets him shine as brightly on expansive T-Minus produced tracks like “PMW,” as he does on the hysteric Skrillex-led affair, “Wild For The Night.”

More than anything however, Rocky’s attention to detail and sense of aesthetics sets him apart from his peers.

With wisdom beyond his years, Rocky has cultivated his image by making careful career moves and avoiding the pitfalls of rapid success, namely, flooding the market with sub-par work and ill-conceived visuals.

Rocky’s videos both from Live.Love and Long.Live show his keen sense of style as an artist, not just a rapper. His guest verses in 2012 were all top-notch, furthering the expectations for this album.

All in all, Long.Live.A$AP is a tour de force, Rocky’s highest achievement thus far. He synthesizes rap trends into a body of work that does not feel forced or overdone in any way. Impeccable production, impressively dexterous writing, and maturity largely unseen in the genre culminate in what is surely one of the year’s best LP’s.

In short, A$AP Rocky has done what so many have failed to do, in rap or otherwise. He has lived up to expectations.

The album is out via RCA Records.