Who Is ASAP Rocky?
By Insanul Ahmed | Oct 31, 2011 | 11:34 am | Permalink
Earlier this year, ASAP Rocky blew our minds with the Internet smash "Purple Swag" and its undeniably charming video which featured weed smoke, gold fronts, and an adorable white girl mouthing the n-word. We were immediately sold on the 23-year-old rapper: He was effortlessly technical on the mic, had his own Houston-influenced sound, and the kind of swag that could only come from a young Harlem dude.
Just as soon as people were starting to catch on, ASAP followed up "Purple Swag" with a bigger smash, "Pe$o." The song was not only a viral hit but also managed to get radio play on Hot 97.
Since then, ASAP has scored a $3 million deal with RCA, gotten co-signs from everyone from Jim Jones to Drake, and was tapped by Drizzy to join the Club Paradise Tour. Today he drops his highly anticipated mixtape, Live.Love.A$AP (Download here) so what better time to find out Who Is ASAP Rocky?
We got down with ASAP to discuss his thoughts on white rappers, homophobia, and Lil B, the on-stage fight his crew got into at the Fader Fort, and why he considers himself "the flyest motherfucker on Earth."
As told to Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin)
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MicahMoney October 31st, 2011 at 02:39 PM
this shit is trill.
The Josh Craig October 31st, 2011 at 03:05 PM
This shit is GNARLY
SG November 1st, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Great read, the kid sounds focused and grounded. Love his mixtape too, hope he keep it coming.
Vandellish November 2nd, 2011 at 05:59 PM
Are y'all playin??? Them lyrics don't stand up to other bubblin catz out here like Tabi Bonney, Termanology, Black Milk, Chuuwee, Jay Electronica, yU and a whole bunch of MCs. Never trust when the bigwigs (JayZ, Drake, Wayne, etc...) vouch for these new artists. They won't ever mention or promote rappers who'll give them a real run for their money...only those who rap ho hum lyrics like these. Compare these lyrics to a young Nas, Curren$y or even Freeway. They'd roast this guy. Sorry but I gotta be real.
nipuk November 2nd, 2011 at 06:05 PM
@Vandellish Does every artist have to be a lyricist to you, this shit slaps. Hooks, melodies, beats, and their sound make it ill.
Vandellish November 3rd, 2011 at 12:34 PM
No I don't. You actually make a good point bro. Still, when established artists give their 'thumbs up' to a newcomer I tend to guess they're speaking about the actual artist's skill and not the potential of one song. Therefore, I'm inclined to listen for what's going to separate the artist from the pack and most good MC's could freestyle this kind of song. I agree that beat is decent (a nice nod to him if he's the producer/beatmaker) but the hook isn't gripping at all to me. I'll look for more from him. ASAP Rocky has talent but needs to develop his own voice/sound. I'm sure as he experiences more in his life he'll find more interesting topics and ways to present them. Check out Stalley's 'Chevys and Space Ships', Chuuwee's 'It Was Great Here' or Mega Trife & Nonsense's 'Anything You Heard About' and you'll see what I'm gettin at. Thanks for reading.
MENTaL da god January 19th, 2012 at 05:05 AM
did you say Tabi Bonney...the fuck outta here, he sucks! everyone else you named was cool but tabi...NOPE
teamnegtweet January 21st, 2012 at 11:43 PM
I do not know none of the above mentioned rappers except for Jay Electronica and on the real his lyrics are conscious type and ASAP movement is not conscious rap. ASAP represents new fresh music and he is not a back pack conscious rapper. No conscious rapper will never get a 3 million dollar deal because the industry knows no one wants to buy that conscious shit. Let ASAP Mob do their thang and continue to support those broke ass conscious rappers. Who get much respect but live in a 1 bedroom apartment. Jay Electronica is a throwback emcee who looks and raps like a 40 year old. He reminds me of some played out Public Enemy. He can remain conscious and Rocnation will drop his ass like a hot potato cause the industry has not invented the formula for promoting positive rap and keeping it profitable. The younger generation have no conscious so why would they buy conscious music.
Bae January 22nd, 2012 at 03:14 AM
This is the saddest comment ever...
Loc November 2nd, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Everything was all good until he started calling girls that he "went on dates with" bitches. I'm twenty-eight and I see the younger generation and I'm like, "WTF is going on in the world?" Sad thing is a lot of people are thinking that that type of wayof talking about things is acceptable and coo'. I like ASAP ROCKY's music and I know he is going to be who he is, but talking about girls as "bitches?" When do ya'll (younger generation) start to grow up? When do you realize that you actually sound like idiots talking like that? Some of the people are straight-up zombies: here a rapper say something and start saying it like it's yours.
London Calling November 4th, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Mate, I feel the same way. I notice this seems to be a trend more with the American youth. Over here, we generally don't call girls 'bitches'. It's sad to see rappers talking this way, thus influencing the younger listeners.
Loc November 2nd, 2011 at 09:23 PM
"Modern-day hipster shit?" "We all should sip drank?" WTF? Dude lost a listener after reading this interview.
karl November 3rd, 2011 at 10:58 AM
how do I get to read the interview, all I see is gallery
LC#27 November 3rd, 2011 at 05:07 PM
Whassup with an NYC cat soundin like he's from the West or the South??? Whatever happened to the Big L Harlem sound? I guess that's how it is nowadays cause Jay Electronica sound like he from NYC.
London Calling November 4th, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Down South rappers sound like NY rappers and vice versa.
Cashinton November 4th, 2011 at 11:46 PM
#Truth But U have to understand... aside from 50.... the last almost 10 years Hip Hop has been very southern influenced.... Look at Wiz... sounds like he's from the Bay. A$AP & Drake sounding southern. J. Cole's from Carolina & sounds like he's from NY.... It's a mixed culture....
CkrisMute November 4th, 2011 at 06:04 PM
This is 2011, everything is starting to blend.
Frank Daza November 5th, 2011 at 02:16 AM
why is the dowload no longer available !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gracie jimenez November 7th, 2011 at 09:37 AM
my co-worker's step-aunt makes $79/hr on the laptop. She has been unemployed for 7 months but last month her pay was $8988 just working on the laptop for a few hours. Here's the site yep.it/oeccvx