John Kim 
One of the hottest names in the hip-hop and urban lifestyle scene is none other than Rakim Mayers, or better known as Rocky of the A$AP Mob. With the recent release of Long Live A$AP, his consistent sightings in the front rows of the biggest fashion shows, and the buzz around the A$AP Mob as one of the brightest stars in the hip-hop scene, Rocky is enjoying the center stage – and doing so while expressing his emotions with his wit and complex lyrics. Sneaker News got the chance to spend some time with the A$AP Mob leader over the All-Star Weekend, sharing a nice box suite during the Dunk Contest (courtesy of adidas) while exchanging critiques of the Dunk participants.
The real conversation came on Sunday after he spent over an hour signing autographs and posing for photos with fans who showed up at the adidas Originals showcase at H-Town Sneaker Summit; we talked about why he’s drawn to the adidas Y-3 and Jeremy Scott lines, the surprising and ambitious work he’s dabbling in right now, and why he feels like his iconic status in fashion and sneakers is warranted – all topped off with a rather juicy quote at the end in regards to the potential for his own signature sneaker in the future. Read on below!
Sneaker News: So the album just dropped not a month ago, your Karmaloop line is gaining steam – are things settling down for you in terms of having some free time? Or are you already on other projects?
A$AP Rocky: Of course, of course. Right now, I’m actually doing a LOT. I’m writing a movie script and actually producing it – a short film actually. I’m producing my next album as well. I’m doing ALL the production – it’s going to be all me. I put myself in charge of all the production, and not only that, I’m coming up with new videos, I’m directing my own videos – I’m just really busy at the moment.
SN: Like in hip-hop, you’re known to be an”icon” in fashion because your taste in sneakers and clothing is pretty unique. Is this something you just sorta picked up recently, or were you always striving to be different?
AR: As a kid, I think I was always fashionably forward. Then outta nowhere, I just started standing out more in fashion because I simply didn’t want to look like anyone else. I always liked different things as well as what was hot back in the day.
Above: A$AP Rocky sitting in the front row of the Y-3 runway on February 10th at NYFW. (Photo: zimbio)
SN: As far as adidas goes, you have a strong affinity toward the Jeremy Scott and Y-3 lines, correct? What is it about those two labels in particular that brings you in?
AR: With Yohji Yamamoto (Y-3) being a Japanese designer – I respect everything about the way it’s mixed, the way it’s cut – it has the definition. You can tell it has Japanese inspiration, and that’s what I love about it because I’m a big Japanese fashion lover too. I love VISVIM, I love Junya Watanabe, I love UNDERCOVER, Neighborhood, WTaps, you know, I’m into all of that.
And at the end of the day, motherf—ers don’t really know how f–kin’ jiggy I really am, you know what I’m saying? I pay attention to all of that, so that’s why I don’t wear all of adidas. I’m only wearing Y-3 and Jeremy Scott.
Above: Jeremy Scott and A$AP Rocky for a Complex Magazine photo-shoot
SN: Jeremy Scott is definitely considered to be a “rebel” in his own industry, and like you said, you’re definitely repping his label – you’re wearing a pair of the Wings right now –
AR: – and the shirt!
SN: Haha yes, and the shirt. Do you feel some sort of synergy with Jeremy?
AR: Jeremy is just a good friend. I respect him a lot as an icon. He inspired me in so many different ways, man, and I can appreciate that. That’s my brother right there – shouts out to Jeremy all day, all f—in’ day.
SN: Another thing about Jeremy Scotts are that the shoes aren’t for everyone, nor were they meant to be. It’s not really a typical sneakerhead shoe, but now you have kids rocking ’em – especially the ones that came out to see you.
AR: Haha yes, and now, look what I did! Is it me to blame? Am I the culprit?
SN: You’re definitely part of the blame.
AR: Really? Just part of the blame? Who else is there to blame?
SN: In hip-hop, nobody else comes to mind, so I guess you’re the reason why a lot of hip-hop fans are into Jeremy Scotts now.
AR: Yeah man, look at that crowd in there. I want to check it out, but my peoples are saying it’s too dangerous.
SN: Imagine the crowd if you had your own shoe, though! It’s not just pro-athletes anymore – hip-hop celebrities have as much influence in sneakers these days.
AR: Definitely, things have changed. But that can be dangerous, because not all artists are correct with that s–t. I stand firm with what I believe in, and I don’t compromise or settle for anything short of that because I know for a fact that what I do is really strategic. Every move that I make, as far as fashion or anything that I co-sign, it’s all 100% genuine. It’s never “ey yo Rocky here’s fifty G’s, put on these sneakers”. It’s never anything like that. Everything I do is me, and if I feel like it’s hot, then it’s hot.
A million guys ain’t going to wear these (points to his Eason Chan x Jeremy Scott Wings), so that’s why I wear ’em and I love ’em too. But hey, I could be wrong, but look, everybody else has Jeremy Scotts on. It’s getting there, man, it’s getting there, and it’s something that you least expected, and that just shows that people know what I’m doing, and they’re saying to themselves “I’m gonna wear those too, I’m not gonna wear what a million other guys are wearing”.
SN: If adidas ever moved forward with an official A$AP Rocky shoe, what sort of statement would you want to make with the design?
AR: I want to make a shoe that – no – I want to make the BEST shoe in the world. I’m going to make the best sneaker ever made.
SN: How do you define “best”?
AR: You’ll see. I promise you, on my career, my life, my soul, my father’s grave, that I’m about to produce the best sneaker ever f—in’ made. Hands down. Come correct and s—ting on those Marty McFly’s – that’s all I’m saying.
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Many thanks to @asvpxrocky and the adidas Originals crew.
