Hit-Boy has given fans a glimpse into the beat he created A$AP Rocky‘s all-star cut “1 Train,” taken from the Harlem rapper’s debut album.
Published on January 15, 2013, Long. Direct. A$AP debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart, and sold 139,000 equivalent units in its first week. It contains the singles “Goldie”, “Fuckin’ Problems”, “Wild for the Night” and “Fashion Killa”.
One of the album’s other standout tracks is the Hit-Boy produced ‘1Train’. The high-octane posse cut features verses from Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big KRIT
However, according to its producer, the beat was originally offered to Drake, who turned it down because he already had something similar on the album he was working on at the time, which by the time frame was probably 2013’s Nothing was the same.
“The first person I sent this beat to was Drake,” Hit-Boy tweeted on Sunday (January 15). “He said he already had a joint on his album with a similar sound.”
He continued: “So at the end of my session with Rocky for ‘goldie’ I played the 1train instrumental and he took it and made it what it is.”
The first person I sent this beat to was Drake. he said he already had a joint on his album with a similar sound so at the end of my session with rocky for “goldie” i played the 1train instrumental and he took it and made it what it is https://t.co/uWxe2U4zHV
— Hit-Boy (@Hit_Boy) 15 January 2023
Hit-Boy, who also produced “Goldie” on Rocky’s debut, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday, later commented on how some people are only just catching on to his ability to chop up beats.
“Listen to Nas ‘thun’ from KD3 then listen to 1train,” he tweeted, referring to his work on the Queensbridge legend’s latest album, The King’s Disease III. “Why do some heads think I just start chopping?” [laughing emoji].”
listen to Nas “thun” from KD3 and then listen to 1train. why do some heads think i just start hacking? 😂 https://t.co/uWxe2U4zHV
— Hit-Boy (@Hit_Boy) 15 January 2023
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Long. Direct. A$APA$AP Rocky shared an unreleased video for the song “Angels,” which is featured on the deluxe version of the album.
While they share scenes similar to the original version, the new shorter cut of the video also features some significant footage of the late A$AP Yams. You can watch the video here.
Meanwhile, Hit-Boy keeps himself busy. Besides dropping a new track with Offset on Friday (January 13), the super producer just confirmed it he will step into the world of R&B to produce an entire album for Musiq Soulchild.
The project was first announced by Musiq in a recent interview with comedian Bill Bellamys top billin’ podcast where he revealed the title – Victims and villains – and hinted at a February release.
As word spread earlier this month, Hit-Boy confirmed the collaboration on Twitter. “R&B Hit-Boy otw” he wrote in response to a fan’s enthusiastic tweet about the album.
The multi-platinum producer also confirmed the news HipHopDX. He later shared a screenshot of his tweet on Instagram while tagging Soulchild, who responded with a series of water wave emojis.
