A$AP Rocky in conversation with Alexis Maida
When I entered the studios in Brooklyn, the scene was everything I had imagined. A smoke-filled room, booming bass, a full entourage hanging around…I was finally having my rapper moment. Just then, a very attractive man came out of the styling area dressed in the best fashion of the season. It was A$AP Rocky. He didn’t fit the mold of what I felt I was experiencing at all. He seemed confident, refined and very content in the clothes. His smile was gentle and his demeanor pleasant. He was very unique, and after speaking with him I realized that this is exactly how he wants to be. There’s no mold for A$AP Rocky.
AM What does the A$AP Mob mean to you?
AR It means a lot. When I joined, I saw an opportunity and it looked lucrative to me. After being down with the crew for so long, when we would show back up in Harlem we used to have to fight and stuff like that. People used to think we were rich.
AM Why would they think that?
AR Because we were wearing Rick Owens in 2008. My jeans were tight in 2006. I never cared about what other people would say. I just did what was right with me and I guess that’s what got me where I’m at now. I joined the crew because it was on some fashion. No one else was wearing the brands that I wore: Raf Simons, Jil Sander.
AM How were you aware of those brands?
AR I went to school in Soho. For a while my favorite brands were Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, and Kris Van Assche. After that I started getting into Givenchy, Saint Laurent. This is all like 2007 stuff, you know. People just now know about Givenchy, Saint Laurent, Alexander Wang. So you know, that’s why I don’t care. Look at me. I’m handsome. I take it as a blessing. I love that the fashion world was open to me. I just want to open the door for the future, I guess, designers and people with aspirations who never thought they could do it.
AM Now that you’ve become so exposed do you feel you need to evolve?
AR I’m trying to change because I’m getting imitated too much. When you go and take something that is good quality and you reduce it, now it’s minimal, it’s miniscule. The way people dress to me to yoga. It’s like I compare it to music. Modern music.
“I never cared about what other people would say. I just did what was right with me and I guess that’s what got me where I’m at now. I joined the crew because it was on some fashion. No one else was wearing the brands that I wore: Raf Simons, Jil Sander.”
AM How does this relate to your music?
AR It compliments my style. My fashion, my music. Everything I do, every element of my creativity compliments who I am as an individual. It’s just what I’m into. It’s not a big deal. There are other kids like me who do the same things and don’t get credit for it. I’m just lucky to get the recognition.
AM Any other areas that you like to express yourself creatively outside of music or fashion?
AR Well, I direct videos. Honestly, I’m a free spirit. I grew up in a Christian household and I developed a taste for non-judgment. It’s like dating a freaky Buddhist.
AM But I see you have a cross in your teeth?
AR Yeah. But I don’t practice Christianity. I don’t disrespect it either. It’s just how I grew up. I’m a free spirit. I’m a purple people. I don’t see no colors, just purple.
AM At what point did you realize rapping was definitely going to be your career?
AR I thought I was going to be either a basketball player or a rapper. So I started rapping about Mortal Combat. Regular ignorant 8-year-old. By the time I turned 13, I was like this is me. By the time I was 18, I wanted to be rich. When I was 18 I was disappointed in myself.
AM So It’s been a harder path than you thought it would be.
AR Yeah, I realized you can’t keep trying to force things and hurry things. The best thing to do is whatever you’re doing. Stop rushing, getting rich, trying to be a legend, winning Grammys. If you don’t worry about it, it’s going to come to you. Like love. If you go looking for it you won’t find love. The minute you stop looking, somebody comes knocking on your door. That’s just the way it plays out in life. Whatever you desire, you got to let it be free and it will come to you if it’s meant to be yours.
AM So love is something you want?
AR It is. I’m serious, it is. And it’s beautiful, you know what I mean? I want to be in an open relationship. I want my wife to be bi-curious, bisexual. I could be faithful to a bisexual. I’ve done it. It’s everything you need.
AM Do you enjoy collaborating with other artists?
AR I guess. I was thankful for my BET award. I’m looking forward to my MTV Awards now. Gettin’ my Grammy. I’d like to collaborate with André 3000, Jay Z, MGMT. I like those Empire of the Sun dudes. Those dudes are dope.
“I realized you can’t keep trying to force things and hurry things. The best thing to do is whatever you’re doing. Stop rushing, getting rich, trying to be a legend, winning Grammys. If you don’t worry about it, it’s going to come to you. Like love. If you go looking for it you won’t find love.”
AM How does the Mob work in terms of your individual careers versus as a unit?
AR It’s good because it’s friendly competition. It’s a lot of motivation. I feel like ASAP Ferg, saw everything I did and now he developed his own, he manifested his own character out of just being himself. I watched him grow up over the past year and a half. All of the other guys are leading up to that too. I think it’s going to be the A$AP year.
AM Do you play any instruments?
AR Yeah, I play piano. I’m composing because it’s like I don’t know how to program things myself. Engineers move this here or move this there. It’s real talent. I like it. I’m collaborating with my favorite producers. It’s going to be a big turnout. Watch.
AM Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
AR Hopefully alive and successful. I don’t know wherever God takes me. I know where I want to be. I want to be successful and inspire people. Everyday I’m raising the bar. Other rappers watch, imitate it. Next time I’m going to do something different. It’s so easy cuz I’ve got all these creative juices just flowing through. I was born to do this.
AM Are you working on new ways to keep people guessing?
AR Oh trust me. I’m not around. I don’t get the credit for a lot of the shit that A$AP or we do or we influence. I do but sometimes the people that imitate don’t give you the credit. I’m going to make‘em eat humble pie.
