On the ten year anniversary of ASAP Rocky’s debut studio album Long. Live. A$AP, producer Hit-Boy revealed that Drake turned down the beat for what eventually became the song “1 Train.”
“First person I sent this beat to was Drake,” Hit-Boy tweeted in response to Fake Shore Drive’s Andrew Barber celebrating the beloved posse track, which featured guest verses from Kendrick lamar, Joey Badass, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, and Big K.R.I.T. “He said he already had a joint on his album with a similar sound so at the end of my session wit rocky for ‘Goldie’ I played ‘1 Train’ instrumental and he took it and made it what it is.”
As for what song prompted Drizzy to turn down the beat, Hit-Boy clarified in a follow-up tweet that it was “Light Up” with Jay-Z on 2010’s Thank Me Later. “His first album. He was referring to the joint wit Hov,” the producer added. It wasn’t until over two years later in early 2013 that the beat saw the light of day on Long. Live. ASAP.
Despite Drake turning down the record, the two would later collaborate on the 2014 single “Trophies.” The OVO Sound rapper also showed up elsewhere on Long. Live. ASAP with his appearance on “Fuckin’ Problems,” for which he also received a producer credit.
In a post shared on Sunday, Rocky celebrated the ten year anniversary of the album, which marked his major label debut. “Today marks the 10 year anniversary for my 1st commercial album!” Rocky tweeted in all-caps. “I want 2 take a moment to reflect & think about the ppl I miss & the times we had. RIP Yams & Virgil, thank u 4 the help on this 1st project.”
