In this corner, the undisputed heavyweight style champ, straight outta Missouri by way of L.A., the man who put the wings on your adidas, Jeremy Scott! And in that corner, the pound-for-pound flyest motherf*cker on the planet, all the way from Harlem—A$AP Rocky! Let’s get ready to rumble!
This feature appears in Complex's February/March 2012 issue.
Today’s rap game is crowded with artists, but there are only a few stars. It’s the reason magazines and blogs keep recycling the same subjects, and why fans can count the rappers worth talking about on their hands. But take it from us: A$AP Rocky is a star.
Critics ask, “What has he done?” For starters, the 23-year-old Harlemite put out two of the best songs of 2011—the lean-induced “Purple Swag” and the infectious “Peso”—followed by a must-hear mixtape, LIVE.LOVE.A$AP. Finally, after a flurry of high-stakes negotiations, Rocky and his crew landed a $3 million deal with RCA/Polo Grounds.
But the young rapper’s draw is deeper than his bespoke flows. Witty and intelligent, flashy but down-to-earth, he’s the type of artist whose charisma fills a room. As A$AP makes the rounds at L.A.’s SmashBox Studios, every dude on set gets a dap, every chick gets a cheek kiss. And when it comes to fashion, Rocky’s no rookie. Before the rap money, A$AP was pushing weight so he could afford brands like YSL, Rick Owens, Raf Simons, and—you guessed it—Jeremy Scott. But things are better for A$AP now. As far as scrambling for Jeremy Scott threads, consider this Complex cover his connect.
Jeremy Scott knows all about star power. He’s the go-to for Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Rihanna. His playful remixes of pop-culture iconography and masterful use of prints and metallics have transcended fashion runways and splashed all over the streets. His off-the-hook collaborations with Swatch watches and Longchamp bags are rivaled only by his surreal adidas line, which has taken the tough-to-please sneakerhead world by storm. The Missouri native has been called “Fashion’s Last Rebel,” and he’s been hailed as the only suitable heir to the Chanel throne by be-all-end-all designer Karl Lagerfeld. Scott’s respect stems from his fearlessness. He does exactly what he wants, and he knows how to translate that vision to the world.
Rocky and Jeremy never met before this shoot, but the respect is mutual and the chemistry effortless. This is what happens when worlds collide.
You've name-dropped Jeremy in a bunch of songs. When did you first notice his designs?
A$AP: Around 2008. We started doing the whole thing. He used to come out with Mickey Mouse shit, three tongues, African patterns and shit. I started getting exclusive shit from France. I liked it so much because the only way you can find it is if you go on eBay, and you’re paying double. There’s no way an average person is gonna have it.
I wake up saying I'm going to look the best I can look and do what the f*ck I want.
—A$AP Rocky
Jeremy: Can I ask you a question? What does A$AP stand for?
A: It stands for “Always Strive and Prosper.” Which is cool, because it’s a positive thing. It’s constructive. People forget how important the youth is sometimes. They determine the future, you know? We respect our elders, so it’s an honor for us to have recognition from you guys. Rick Owens, Raf Simons, Jeremy Scott—that means a lot to us. Just like Jay-Z, Nas, and 2Pac—you guys mean that to us. Seriously.
J: Thank you, thank you.
A: This is more than just a rapper and a designer getting together. This is bringing the cultures together and clashing them.
A$AP, you’ve called yourself the flyest motherfucker on earth.
A: I might have said that when I was high or something. [Laughs.]
What do you think this cover with Jeremy will do for your fashion cred?
A: Everything. Because this guy’s a legend. He’s our hero, and we love what he does.
Maya January 23rd, 2012 at 05:42 PM
Love how you guys straight stole 7L & Esoteric's A New Dope album cover. Real original.
melo January 23rd, 2012 at 06:06 PM
ever hear of Basquiat and Andy Warhol, dummy?
Maya January 23rd, 2012 at 06:48 PM
Actually, I am very familiar with Basquiat and Warhol. The album cover I am referring to was an homage to them - how polite and astute of you to point out. This reference was done six years ago and with the talent that one would think exists at Complex, you would think a more creative approach would exist. Maybe you are suggesting we celebrate tired ideas, or with media moving so quickly should forget what's been done every 5 years so that we may continue to use the same thing over again and be as excited as when we first saw it previously. I suppose that would save us from having to progress - and that would save a lot of time and money. I'm beginning to understand your wisdom.
Lenny January 23rd, 2012 at 10:51 PM
LOL, Maya you clearly didnt know about the Warhol/Basquiat poster, its okay. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6750079807_dc1982333d.jpg
Maya January 24th, 2012 at 11:59 AM
I am entertained that this is your best response. I guess I would then not know that the original poster was intended to be a parody of the bout between Max Schmeling and Joe Louis, bringing the issue of Aryan supremacy to light? Or maybe you already knew that, since you seemed well versed in the competitive nature of Basquiat and Warhol and the whole intention of this show being Warhol's attempt to exploit Basquiat's celebrity. I appreciate your reference being that from a Flickr account, while this poster is so famed that needing to find it online and then uploading it to an account would deem pointless and unnecessary.
Antoine January 24th, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Gotta give it up, others are ignorant.
Maya January 25th, 2012 at 12:28 PM
I think melo, right below, just proved your point. Point well taken. I am not angry or protective in my responses. One who is insecure in their own opinions would paint me that way - that's a weakness in human nature. My only intention was to provide a reason why people are less than impressed with the lack of creativity given to this choice of direction. To state that well A$AP is black and Scott is white, so it makes more sense in this instance tells me what kind of reader we have here. I felt that when Karma from Brick Records went this route, it was because of the very nature that 7L and Esoteric encapsulate - that of Basquiat and Warhol's sense of competitive nature that only challenged each other to bring out the best in themselves. The fact that A$AP and Scott only met at this interview screams that this was the wrong choice in direction and the only reason it was chosen was a failure to come up with something original -- or perhaps the art direction is like the reader and only saw black and white. Either way, I remove myself from this conversation because it seems as though normal human discourse isn't welcome here. Next time I will fill my comments with more LOLs and misspellings.
melo January 24th, 2012 at 01:16 PM
what is the big deal? the cover is dope. Both parties bit off of the original. And to be honest, this version is more accurate than the New Dope cover. You know, a white and black guy? Take a chill pill.
Drake January 24th, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Great read complex. Good duo.
C January 24th, 2012 at 08:20 PM
Maya..You Mad!! Lol