Popcast: ASAP Rocky Arrives - NYTimes.com The young Harlem rapper ASAP Rocky recently topped the Billboard album chart with the release of his major label debut album, "Long.Live.ASAP." On this week's Popcast, the host Ben Ratliff talks to Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for The Times, about the album, what it means to be post-regional in a genre so obsessed with place, and what trends in hip-hop Rocky's success might augur. That's followed by a discussion about ASAP Yams, the behind-the-scenes guru who has helped mold Rocky for the last few years, helping him become the star he is now. Caramanica spoke with Yams as part of his ongoing Hitmakers series, about influential music industry figures who operate in the shadows. Jon Caramanica on ASAP Rocky's "Long.Live.ASAP" Jon Caramanica on ASAP Yams Interactive Feature: ASAP Yams breaks down ASAP Rocky tracks Spotify users can find tracks by ASAP Rocky here.