Review: A$AP Rocky short film ‘Money Man’

A$AP Rocky releases short film Money Man, flexing two upcoming tracks off A$AP Mob’s collaborative project, Cozy Tapes Vol. 1

Image courtesy of PlayThisHipHop

Scribed by: Tyler Thompson

Directed by: A$AP Rocky, Dexter Navy

Featuring: A$AP Rocky, A$AP Nast, Saïd Taghmaoui, Skepta

Tracks: “Money Man” // “Put That on My Set”

Rating:

Last weekend, A$AP Rocky confirmed he and his crew, A$AP Mob, finished recording Cozy Tapes Vol. 1. The project is in dedication to the deceased creative intellect behind Mob, A$AP Yams, the crews former executive producer.

Rocky unveiled a short film Friday titled “Money Man,” subsequently revealing two tracks off of the upcoming tape, “Money Man”, a trap/club banger and “Put That on My Set,” (featuring Skepta) a bar pulsing track with production reminiscent of Live. Love. A$AP (2011).If these are the singles, the Mob tape withholds bounteous potential.

Northwest London is the setting of the film in a fictional locale, Butterfly Canal. The story begins with a tape recording from Rina, the younger sister of drug lord Money Man (Saïd Taghmauoi). Her message opens up with cryptic foreshadowing, a dream where she’s seen “the blackest scorpion, stinging the most beautiful butterfly, you’ve ever seen,” which is answered at its tragic end.

A powerful psychedelic drug, butterfly wings infused with acrylic paint, scorpion venom and butterfly pollen are sold by Money Man and his partner Money Man Flacko (Rocky), which blacks out the eyes while they weep with glittery goo. A love affair between Rina and Flocko is shown, later becoming a conflict of interest.

The short is energetic and the story ultimately, heartbreaking. The film-grain, coupled with a black & white filter buttress the bleak hallow of the story and Butterfly Canal. Rocky’s visual isn’t quite abstract like Mob’s video earlier in the year for “Yamborghini High,” but it doesn’t need to be. They are separate entities, “Yamborghini High’s” concept calls for vibranc that contrasts the gritty storytelling of Money Man.

By the way, you should watch “Yamborghini High” immediately after Money Man. It’s pretty damn abstract.