Image via Complex Original
A$AP Rocky has gone from underground rapper to full-fledged superstar and fashion staple in a relatively short time. Despite his claims to no longer name drop brands and designers back in March, his hotly-anticipated debut album, LONG.LIVE.A$AP features numerous nods to high-end fashion lines and more known labels. Especially the song "Fashion Killa," which names a staggering 26 brands.
In same way we closely listened to Live.Love.A$AP, we analyzed his major label debut and mined it for all of its stylish references. From the first track to the last song, here's our exhaustive guide to every single call-out on the album. Check out Name Brands: A$AP Rocky's Label Shout-Outs from LONG.LIVE.A$AP.
Maison Martin Margiela
Song: "Goldie"
Lyric: "My Martin was a Maison, rocked Margielas with no laces."
Song: "Pain"
Lyric: "23 and 43, I’m talkin' my Margiela size."
Rocky's been a longtime fan of the Belgian designer's namesake brand, especially the label's understated, pricey footwear. The shoes come with elastic attaching the tongue to the sides, allowing them to be worn laceless. He's also mentioned a velcro three-strap sneaker in "Out of This World."
Naked & Famous Denim
Song: "Goldie"
Lyric: "Somehow it seems girls in they late teens, remind me of my favorite jeans 'cause they naked 'cause you famous."
We can't fault Rocky for being a fan of the Canadian denim brand. Known for novelty fabrics like scratch-and-sniff and glow in the dark denim, they also know how to make some really durable raw selvedge jeans in an array of great fits.
Christian Louboutin
Song: "Goldie"
Lyric: "And them red bottom loafers just to complement the mink."
Rocky is no stranger to Louboutin's red-bottomed kicks. He rocked a pair of Mikaraja loafers in the video for "Wassup."
Nike Air Flight '89
Song: "PMW (All I Really Need)"
Lyric: "High as a kite in my Nike Flights." - Schoolboy Q
The Air Flight '89 is a sneakerhead shoe that's managed to gain a following without being a super-hyped release. We think it's because of the Jordan IV-reminiscent design and dope colorways.
Hood By Air
Song: "LVL"
Lyric: " Hood By Air, to the du-rag."
Song: "Angels"
Lyric: "Hood By Air, man I started that."
No surprise, Rocky is taking credit for making Hood By Air a trend. It doesn't hurt that he's close with the designer, Shayne Oliver, or that he makes the gear look extra dope.
Audemars Piguet
Song: "Hell"
Lyric: "Audemars Piguets for my criminal recruits."
The watchmakers at Audemars Piguet can count Pusha-T and Jay-Z as fans—now they can rely on the A$AP Mob to rock their luxury timepieces too.
A Bathing Ape
Song: "Pain"
Lyric: "Clothes in my hamper, that Bathing Ape camouflage."
Despite his high-fashion taste, Rocky still rocks streetwear brands like A Bathing Ape. After all, that signature camo print is iconic.
Samurai Jeans Co.
Song: "Pain"
Lyric: "Brands from japan, you would think I was a Samurai."
Samurai Jeans Co. is a relatively obscure denim brand that makes some really, really high-quality jeans. Like Rocky says, they're a Japanese brand, and it proves that he's also a hardcore denimhead.
Jeremy Scott
Song: "Pain"
Lyric: "Drop-crotch, Jeremy Scott pants, bitch it’s hammer time."
While Rocky had been a longtime fan of designer Jeremy Scott, it wasn't until our February/March 2012 cover did the two finally meet. The result? A friendship that lasts to this very day.
Goyard
Song: "1 Train"
Lyric: "Bag made of Goyard, cheffin' like I'm Boyardee, probably selling D in your local courtyard."
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Goyard by the trunk."
Goyard is an esteemed French luggage maker, known for its signature geometric prints. In the photo above, Rocky's yellow bag is Goyard—so he's not lying on "1 Train" in the least bit.
Prada
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "She got a lotta Prada."
The Italian fashion label was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada, and has remained a luxury mainstay, covetable by fashion addicts and rappers with aspirations to make it ever since.
Dolce & Gabbana
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "That Dolce & Gabbana."
Founded in 1985 by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, their brand quickly took off and dominated much of the fashion landscape, becoming a multi-million dollar company in the '90s, and surpassing a net worth of $633 million in 2003. They launched their first couture line in Italy last year.
Escada
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "I can't forget Escada."
In 1978, Margaretha and Wolfgang Ley founded Escada in Munich. Their designs, featuring interesting color combinations and elaborately knit pieces quickly got the attention of the fashion world. Lately, the label has fallen on difficult financial times, but hopefully its recent acquisition by Lakshmi Mittal can restore its former glory.
Balenciaga
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "And that Balenciaga."
Balenciaga made waves when its former Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière was replaced by Alexander Wang late last year. Hopefully Wang can continue to produce great pieces for the brand like Ghesquière's neoprene sweatshirt, which was seen in numerous street style shots last fashion week.
Helmut Lang
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Her jeans is Helmut Lang."
Although Austrian-born Helmut Lang hasn't been at the helm of his label since 2005, his minimalist aesthetic lives on. As you can see from this 2010 campaign for the denim, it accents the female body pretty well. We can see why Rocky would like a girl to be wearing a pair.
Alexander Wang
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Shoes is Alexander Wang."
Besides his new Balenciaga gig, Alexander Wang also runs his own line and the diffusion T by Alexander Wang label. A$AP Rocky and him are friends, so it's not surprising to see Pretty Flacko promote his buddy's brand.
Donna Karan
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "And her shirt the newest Donna, Karan."
Asking his girl to rock Donna Karan seems an odd choice for Rocky, but at least it shows his taste and knowledge in the fashion world is diverse. Karan is known for pragmatic designs like her "Essentials" line, easily wearable pieces for a variety of women.
Cartier
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Wearin' all the Cartier frames."
The French jeweler's luxury eyewear doesn't come cheap, so Rocky knows if a girl has a pair on, she's the type who balls 'til she falls.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Jean Paul Gaultiers cause they match with her persona."
Jean Paul Gaultier is a French couture designer who served as the Creative Director of Hermès from 2003-2010. Since he's currently a couture designer, a lot of his products are extremely expensive and intricate.
Jil Sander
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "I see your Jil Sander."
Designer Jil Sander recently returned to the fashion house she built in the 1980s, ousting Raf Simons who moved onto Dior. She is known for designing minimal, futuristic clothes. You might recognize her from the +J collections she made for Uniqlo.
Oliver Peoples
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Oliver Peoples, Costume National, your Ann Demeuelemeester."
Founded in California, Oliver Peoples has been making high-quality frames since 1986. Even though it's now owned by Luxottica, a huge eyewear company, it still produces its glasses in the same factories as before, to ensure the product remains at the top of its game.
CoSTUME NATIONAL
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Oliver Peoples, Costume National, your Ann Demeuelemeester."
Founded in 1986, CoSTUME NATIONAL is an Italian brand with a forward, Japanese-inspired bent, thanks to Creative Director Ennio Capasa's tutelage under legendary Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto.
Ann Demeuelemeester
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Oliver Peoples, Costume National, your Ann Demeuelemeester."
Remember that long tank Rocky wore to 106 & Park? That was from conceptual designer Ann Demeuelemeester. Part of the famed "Antwerp Six," a group of graduates from Antewerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the early '80s, she can also count Dries Van Noten and Walter Van Beirendonck among her contemporaries. Her designs are essential to the high-fashion element of the "street goth" look.
Visvim
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "See Visvim be the sneaker."
As far as cult Japanese brands go, Visvim is at the top of the most hyped. Hiroki Nakamura's high-end streetwear collection is known for their dope sneakers that combine the traditional and technical. Take for example the FBT: part chukka mocassin, and part Nike Air Max.
Lanvin
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Lanvin or Balmain."
The French fashion house gets a mention, as Creative Director Alber Elbaz and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver continue to kill it long after bringing their name to the masses with a 2010 H&M collaboration.
Balmain
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Lanvin or Balmain."
Rocky is no stranger to Balmain. First he wore the brand's motorcycle-inspired jeans, and followed it up with the Raccoon Fur Blouson he wore to 106 & Park.
Isabel Marant
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Her Isabel Marant."
You might not know French designer Isabel Marant—but you've probably seen her influence on today's trends. Her wedge sneakers took the German Army Trainer silhouette seen from designers like Margiela and added a feminine wedge, resulting in numerous facsimiles from companies hopping on the trend.
Linda Farrow
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "I love your Linda Farrow."
Linda Farrow makes awesome sunglasses for women. Her designs range from vintage-inspired to more fashion-forward—and they are not cheap.
Dior
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "I adore your Dior."
Of course Rocky would adore a girl's Dior—Raf Simons is currently the designer behind it.
Damir Doma
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Your Damir Doma, Vena Cava from the store."
Damir Doma is a Croatian fashion designer known for his drapey silhouettes and deconstructed approach to clothing. He also has a diffusion line called SILENT.
Vena Cava
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Your Damir Doma, Vena Cava from the store."
Brooklyn design duo Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock are the team behind Vena Cava, who launched Vena Cava in 2003. Known for their drapey dresses and hand-drawn details, the result is women's wear with a throwback, 90's vibe that remains ultimately modern and elegant without being inaccessible. They're like the clothes you'd expect the girl next door to rock, perfect without being fussy. Sounds like Rocky's ideal lady.
Tom Ford
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Mami in that Tom Ford; Papi in that Thom Browne."
While Tom Ford is known for his dapper menswear, his stints as the Creative Director for Gucci and YSL netted him numerous awards and accolades from organizations like the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Needless to say, his women's wear is just as nice.
Thom Browne
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Mami in that Tom Ford; Papi in that Thom Browne."
American designer Thom Browne is known for his shrunken silhouettes, precise tailoring, and telltale grosgrain red, white, and blue stripes.
Rick Owens
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Rick Owens, Raf Simons, boy she got it by the stock."
Rocky is no stranger to high-end sneakers and Rick Owens, as evidenced by the high-top kicks above. His ideal girl would be just as familiar.
Raf Simons
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "Rick Owens, Raf Simons, boy she got it by the stock."
The Astronaut Sneakers he wore in the "Wassup" music video proved Rocky just doesn't know designer labels, he actually wears the stuff. And if you're the type of chick to ride with him, you better do the same.
Versace
Song: "Fashion Killa"
Lyric: "And Versace—got a lot, but she may never wear it."
Versace gets a lot of love in the hip-hop world. The Italian fashion house gets heavy co-signs from rappers like 2 Chainz and French Montana, who wears it in plenty of ridiculously awesome ways.
Girbaud
Song: "Suddenly"
Lyric: "Girbaud jeans with hologram straps and reflectors."
Girbaud jeans have long been shouted-out in hip-hop songs, and A$AP Rocky references the brand to hearken back to the past, when the denim label was really poppin' off.