Trap Lord

The album was originally slated to be released as a mixtape in February 2013.[1] In January 2013, during an interview with XXL ASAP Ferg explained the significance of the album title, saying: "I feel like it’s not just me that represents “Trap Lord.” I feel like A$AP Rocky is a “Trap Lord.” I feel like Nast is a “Trap Lord.” Wale just posted a picture on his Instagram wearing a Trap Lord sweatshirt. DJ Enuff be sending me pictures of his sons wearing Trap Lord stuff. You gonna see a lot of different new faces that represent the brand—not only the brand, but where we come from. A Trap Lord is basically the struggle to do better. It’s almost like the theme of Always Strive And Prosper (A$AP). Trap don’t necessarily mean you selling drugs. You could be selling clothes, watches, fake watches, gold teeth, hats—anything. You just trapping. And you a Lord of it."[1] He also explained when he would be releasing the mixtape, saying: "I’m looking at the end of February, early March. This is my first demo I’m ever putting out. I never even put out a demo for the labels to hear. This is the first **** I’m even putting together with numbers, with songs. So I wanna make sure it’s something special, I’m giving it my all. That’s why it’s kind of taking long. But trust me, when it comes out, it’s gonna be well worth it."[1] He also explained what it was like working on the album, saying: "It’s fun, because I’ve been piecing together a team that I think I’m gonna be with for a long time as far as mixing, recording, young producers that you probably never even heard of. Sonically, it’s gonna be a monster. Straight movie ****. You ain’t hearing this **** nowhere—nobody has this sound. After this mixtape drop, you gonna hear everybody sound change. They gonna wanna know who’s working on my project ’cause it’s gonna sound that crazy. The best part is teaming up with these young rocket scientists that know what they doing. They rebels against anything that’s in cycle; they wanna go against the grain and make history. That’s all I’m about, is making history. I’m tired of the same hip-hop ****. It’s getting corny. All of this jumping around, looking stupid. I hate the term “real hip-hop,” but it’s real. Nobody can say my **** ain’t hip-hop, because I’m being innovative and I’m bringing something new to the table."[1] On June 3, 2013, while performing at Summer Jam ASAP Ferg announced Trap Lord would be released as an album on August 20, 2013.[2] In June 2013, during an interview with HipHopDX ASAP Ferg described the album, saying "It’s going to be all digital…all Internet-based, and I’m definitely excited. This is the first piece of work I’ve ever put together, like ever. I never attempted to put a mixtape together; I never attempted to put an album together; I never thought I was going to be a rapper. This is the first project I’ve worked on. I kind of went extra out of my way to make sure it’s the best, because I don’t know…all I know is go hard, and all I know is how to win. I don’t want to be considered weak or a loser. I think it’s going to make history."[3] In July 2013, during an interview with MTV ASAP Ferg spoke about the features on the album, saying: "I got some of the best of the best on there. It just got serious and more serious because my features are like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. I got Onyx on the same song as B-Real, Its a kind of legendary piece of work, its like art. You cant really give good art away for nothing."[4] On July 25, 2013, the album cover was released.[5] On July 28, 2013, the final track listing was revealed revealing 13 tracks and guest appearances on the album from ASAP Rocky, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, French Montana, Trinidad James, Schoolboy Q, Waka Flocka Flame, B-Real, Onyx and Aston Matthews.[6]