ASAP Rocky Fish N Steak (What It Is) Meaning and Review

Introduction and Opening Mood

Fish N Steak (What It Is), the closing bonus track on Disc 2 of A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb, opens with a slowed-down version of Rocky’s signature voice, immediately setting a reflective, intimate mood. The introduction feels like a direct conversation with himself or a mentor-like caution, which pulls the listener in with a sense of personal connection. The pacing is deliberate, giving the track room to breathe and establishing a calm yet engaging atmosphere that frames what follows.

Instrumentation and Soundscape

The instrumentation is anchored by hypnotic flute melodies, which create a dreamy, almost meditative soundscape. This choice of instrumentation gives the track a unique texture, contrasting with the heavy, bass-driven beats typically associated with Rocky’s catalog. The flute loops gently, weaving around Rocky’s vocal delivery and giving the track a floating, airy quality that enhances the chill, relaxed vibe of the verses.

Rocky’s Flow and Delivery

Rocky’s flow throughout the track is smooth and unhurried, allowing the listener to sink into the layered verses. There is a warmth and casualness to his performance that feels effortless, showcasing his ability to carry a song with subtlety rather than intensity. The slowed-down vocal effect in the intro transitions seamlessly into the main rhythm, balancing hypnotic instrumentation with a steady, engaging cadence that holds attention without ever feeling rushed.

Tyler The Creator’s Contribution

Tyler The Creator’s entrance in the second half of the track adds an immediate dynamic shift. His presence brings contrast and energy without disrupting the song’s overall vibe. The interplay between Rocky and Tyler feels natural, like a friendly dialogue, and their chemistry elevates the track by introducing textural variety. Tyler’s production choices, particularly in how the flute and underlying beats evolve during his verse, give the track depth and make the collaboration feel essential rather than incidental.

Fish N Steak (What It Is) Review

Fish N Steak (What It Is) succeeds as a closing bonus track by balancing hypnotic instrumentation with fluid vocal performances. The song thrives on subtlety, weaving together Rocky’s laid-back flow, Tyler’s dynamic contributions, and a unique instrumental palette to create a hypnotic, contemplative listening experience. It is a perfect example of how Don’t Be Dumb explores different sonic moods while maintaining a cohesive sense of style, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of calm and satisfaction as the album concludes.

Listen To ASAP Rocky Fish N Steak (What It Is)

ASAP Rocky Fish N Steak (What It Is) Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of Fish N Steak (What It Is) by A$AP Rocky is rooted in the blending of personal reflection, luxury, and streetwise hustle, presented through playful wordplay and hypnotic instrumentation. Across the track, Rocky juxtaposes domestic and culinary imagery with references to wealth, family, and generational influence, as seen in lines like "I wake up, Four Seasons, no Ritz" and "Bones on the scale like a fish." The song highlights both his confidence and gratitude, mixing intimate moments with his partner alongside reminders of his upbringing and work ethic. Featuring Tyler, The Creator, the track also explores camaraderie and creative synergy, adding dynamic layers that enhance its relaxed yet vibrant mood. Overall, it is a contemplative, immersive piece that reflects Rocky’s personal experiences while celebrating success, freedom, and friendship.

Intro: DJ Slim K and A$AP Rocky

The track opens with DJ Slim K and A$AP Rocky setting a conversational and intimate tone. The lines "What's goin' down? (Uh) / You already know what it is (Shit in my bloodline, nigga)" establish both familiarity and legacy, referencing Rocky’s pride in generational hustle or talent. The shoutout "Slim K (It's the GRIM, nigga), A$AP Rocky and Tyler up here in H-Town, man (I love Pretty Flacko)" highlights collaborators and Rocky’s personal brand. The lines "Land of the trill (It's the GRIM, nigga) / Rocky, don't be dumb, my G (You know where I'm from) / Keep it player / Slowin' down the world, one song at a time / From H-town to Harlem, yeah" ground the track in Houston and Harlem. The repeated caution "Rocky, don't be dumb" foreshadows the reflective tone while "slowin' down the world, one song at a time" mirrors the hypnotic and relaxed tempo of the song.

Verse 1: A$AP Rocky

In the first verse, Rocky blends luxury references, intimacy, and street imagery. "I'm lit / I wake up, Four Seasons, no Ritz" contrasts luxury hotels, with the Four Seasons representing elegance and personal preference over the Ritz. "She wake up and makin' me grits / She makin' me think about kids / I'm thankful this girl is the one that I'm with" mixes domestic imagery with gratitude and romantic stability. Rocky asserts his work ethic in "I built this shit brick after brick / And just from one flick of the wrist / It's some shit you don't wanna risk," while "Now, my children, they already rich (What?)" reflects generational wealth. Confidence and dominance are emphasized in "Walk in this bitch like I'm him / Walk in this bitch with my bitch," and loyalty to his crew is hinted at with "My bros take a [?], my nig' / That's [?], I'm better for this, you dig?" The lines "Don't play with my top, I might pull up, I'm mobbin', I'm— I'm spillin' your lid, you dig?" and "My father was whippin' his wrist, you dig? / He'd probably whip up a chick / I'm fixin to cook up a lick (A lick)" mix street slang, paternal influence, and double entendres, with "whippin’ his wrist" referencing both cooking and hustle. "Bones on the scale like a fish / That part ain't even a twist" and "My papa had boxes of Arm & Hammers / He was arm and hammers when he— whip, whip" cleverly blend drug-dealing metaphors with literal and domestic references.

Refrain: A$AP Rocky

The refrain builds on culinary metaphors that double as street and work ethic references. "Cook it like a steak / Whip it right away / Cook it like a steak / Brisket every day" highlights precision and diligence, while "Whip it like a slave / Look at what it weigh / Cookin' fish and steak" extends the metaphor to careful measurement, mixing domestic imagery with hustler slang. These lines reinforce Rocky’s dual worlds of luxury and street credibility.

Verse 2: Tyler, The Creator

Tyler, The Creator’s verse adds a dynamic and cinematic shift. "I ain't got no gas for you, but my passengers are relaxed / 'Cause I got max space like NASA does / The seats are warm and toast" conveys luxury, space, and comfort. Lines like "Most don't know how it feel to glide on boats with wheels / I hope I don't crash / Highway patrol ain't seen us, ain't speedin', I'm cruisin' like Ethan, huh" mix high-end car imagery with a reference to Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible films, signaling thrill and control. Tyler blends confidence and humor in "I'm a genius / Long way home, take the scenic / It's beep-beep, everything is sweet / Think I'm Sara Lee," referencing the baked goods brand to convey smoothness and effortless style. The lines "How that sun roof opened up, like therapy / Now we ridin' dirty, ridin' clean, joyridin'" mix street car slang with freedom and enjoyment. "Got Anita Baker bustin' out the seams of the speaker / Ain't the price of the engine / Reason why they can't stand 'em / 'Cause my self-esteem could make a bucket ride like a Phantom" combines musical, automotive, and self-assurance imagery to highlight Tyler’s confidence and playful wordplay.

Chorus and Bridge

The chorus emphasizes introspection, mental clarity, and calculated thinking. "Tell 'em what it is / So much on my mind, I had to factor what it is / I can numb my mind at any time, like, what it is?" reflects self-awareness and detachment. The bridge "Not what it is and what you sayin' / Let the wind blow right through your hair / I got a front seat with your name on it" highlights shared experiences, openness, and relaxation, reinforcing the reflective and enjoyable mood of the track.

Outro: A$AP Rocky

The outro repeats the refrain, "Cook it like a steak / Whip it like a slave / Look at what it weigh / Cookin' fish and steak / Cook it like a steak / Whip it right away / Cook it like a steak / Brisket every day," reinforcing the dual metaphors of precision, hustle, and domestic imagery. The repetition leaves the listener in a hypnotic, contemplative space, completing the track’s meditative and immersive feel.

ASAP Rocky Fish N Steak (What It Is) Lyrics

[Intro: DJ Slim K & A$AP Rocky]

What's goin' down? (Uh)

You already know what it is (Shit in my bloodline, nigga)

Slim K (It's the GRIM, nigga), A$AP Rocky and Tyler up here in H-Town, man (I love Pretty Flacko)

Land of the trill (It's the GRIM, nigga)

Rocky, don't be dumb, my G (You know where I'm from)

Keep it player

Slowin' down the world, one song at a time

From H-town to Harlem, yeah

[Verse 1: A$AP Rocky]

I'm lit

I wake up, Four Seasons, no Ritz

She wake up and makin' me grits

She makin' me think about kids

I'm thankful this girl is the one that I'm with

I built this shit brick after brick

And just from one flick of the wrist

It's some shit you don't wanna risk

Now, my children, they already rich (What?)

Walk in this bitch like I'm him

Walk in this bitch with my bitch

My bros take a [?], my nig'

That's [?], I'm better for this, you dig?

Tists, I caught them boys takin' a sip

They stuck in the mist of the mix

Don't play with my top, I might pull up, I'm mobbin', I'm— I'm spillin' your lid, you dig?

My father was whippin' his wrist, you dig?

He'd probably whip up a chick

I'm fixin to cook up a lick (A lick)

I'm spillin' your lid, you dig?

My father was whippin' his wrist, you dig?

He'd probably whip up a chick, you dig?

I'm fixin to cook up a lick

Bones on the scale like a fish

That part ain't even a twist

I'm lettin' you know what it is

My papa had boxes of Arm & Hammers

He was arm and hammers when he— whip, whip

[Refrain: A$AP Rocky]

Cook it like a steak

Whip it right away

Cook it like a steak

Brisket every day (Uh)

Cook it like a steak (Uh)

Whip it like a slave (Whip it)

Look at what it weigh

Cookin' fish and steak (Steak)

[Chorus: ?]

Tell 'em what it is

So much on my mind, I had to factor what it is

I can numb my mind at any time, like, what it is?

What it is?

Time, like, what it is?

What it is?

[Verse 2: Tyler, The Creator]

I ain't got no gas for you, but my passengers are relaxed (Yeah)

'Cause I got max space like NASA does

The seats are warm and toast

Most don't know how it feel to glide on boats with wheels (Yeah)

I hope I don't crash

Highway patrol ain't seen us, ain't speedin', I'm cruisin' like Ethan, huh (Yeah)

I'm a genius

Long way home, take the scenic

It's beep-beep, everything is sweet

Think I'm Sara Lee (Yeah)

How that sun roof opened up, like therapy

Now we ridin' dirty, ridin' clean, joyridin'

Got Anita Baker bustin' out the seams of the speaker

Ain't the price of the engine

Reason why they can't stand 'em

'Cause my self-esteem could make a bucket ride like a Phantom, yeah

[Chorus: ? & A$AP Rocky]

Tell 'em what it is

So much on my mind (Whip it right away), I had to factor what it is (Cook it like a steak)

I can numb my mind at any time (Brisket every day), like, what it is? (Cook it like a steak)

What it is? (Whip it like a slave)

Time, like, what it is? (Look at what it weigh)

What it is? (Cookin' fish and steak)

[Bridge: Tyler, The Creator & A$AP Rocky]

Not what it is and what you sayin'

Let the wind blow right through your hair

I got a front seat with your name on it (I got a front seat with your name on it)

Let's ride inside my rabbit with the thangs on it

Not what it is and what you sayin' (I'll bring my friends)

Let the wind blow right through your hair (And you can bring your friends)

You can bring your friends, I got space (We makin' new friends, ha)

You can bring your friends, I got s—

[Outro: A$AP Rocky]

Cook it like a steak (Steak)

Whip it like a slave (Raw)

Look at what it weigh (Weigh)

Cookin' fish and steak (Steak)

Cook it like a steak (Wrist)

Whip it right away (Steak)

Cook it like a steak (Whip it)

Brisket every day (Whip it)