In a genre where competition often prevails, it's always refreshing to see crews come together as a united front. On "What Happens," a standout from Cozy Tapes Vol.2, A$AP Mob, Pro Era, and Flatbush Zombies team up to deliver some quick-witted and seamless back and forth bars. To be specific, A$AP Twelvy, Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, Playboi Carti, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight & Nyck Caution grace this twenty-two verse banger.
With a spacey bassline, a minimalist sonic arrangement, and up-tempo production, the rappers use the recurring refrain of "what happens," crafting elaborate scenarios and responding in turn. Each verse spans the length of four bars, which makes it difficult to stand out amidst such a vast sea of talent, but the call and response nature of the song more than makes up for any particular individual performance. It's one of the most selfless hip-hop collaborations in recent memory, and by the end of the song, all you can really do is marvel at the studio session that brought "What Happens" to life.
Lyrically, the track is filled with quotables, swagger, charisma, and wit. "A$AP and Pro-E, Hit it with the flow, you know it's OD, Flacko, Jodye, Ferg and Joey, Your bitch gon' ride it like a pony" raps Ferg, before passing the mic to Kirk Knight, who then passes it to Joey Bada$$, who then passes it to Nyck Caution and so on. You get the idea.
While it's probably wishful thing, imagine seeing this banger produced live? No backing track, with every rapper on stage, trading bars as seamlessly as in the recorded version? It would be a magical moment in modern hip-hop, and one we can only hope comes to fruition. If you haven't already, be sure to go check out the A$AP Mob project in it's entirety.
And for the record, streaming services better put some respect on Nyck Caution's name.
Quotable Lyrics
I swear to God, the n*gga RZA sick
What happen when you gotta bigger miss
That Mr. Dick is a hit or miss
Don't kiss my hip, I'm ticklish
- Rocky
