I prefer when artists make music they intrinsically want to make — not what others want them to make.

the real question is how much of the art is their own and how much is outside expectations and their reactions to it.

And it's not always giving in to those voices, sometimes it's going in the opposite direction specifically to subvert those voices and expectations even if that ends up going against your initial instincts as an artist.

With someone like A$AP Rocky, there is a lot of money on the line wrt the record execs but even small indie artists playing to only a hundred people a night have to contend with audience expectation and how that can exert an influence on their creativity.

It seems the numerous leaks and trials took their toll.

I don’t disagree with you—I felt “Tailor Swif,” “DMB,” and “Both Eyes Closed” were all stronger than the tracks that made it onto this album.

But sometimes you’ve gotta ship the project in the state it’s in and move on with your life.

Maybe now he can move forward and start working on something new. And perhaps that project will be stronger.

Im sure it was more like, “hey babe, can I get a few millions to go in the studio and experiment/make some art?” And then she was like, “yeah go for it! Make some weird shit.”

If I was in his position I’d probably be doing the same. Why bother with another top hit that pleases the masses.

Because it was awesome. But also, leaks probably.