After establishing himself with a self-released mixtape four years ago, 2013’s “Long. Live. A$AP” took him to mainstream stardom — he hit the Billboard Top 10 with the single “F**kin’ Problems,” which featured guest spots from Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar.
Despite the death of his collaborator/business partner, A$AP Yams, from an overdose in January, and the breakup of his relationship with model Chanel Iman last year, Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) was typically confident — and predictably baked — when the New York Post talked with him.
The chat took place just prior to a lecture he gave at the Red Bull Music Academy — a monthlong series of workshops, discussions and performances across New York City, which concludes at the end of May.
With the 26-year-old’s third album, “At. Long. Last. A$AP,” due on June 2 (the first single is “L$D”), Rocky had plenty to talk about: drugs, orgies, Rick James and more.
[Coughing and spluttering from a very recent weed intake] It didn’t really change much. My first tour [in 2012] was with Kendrick Lamar and Drake. I lost my virginity when I was 13, I f**ked loads of women by the time I was 18. This s**t ain’t nothing new to me. I’m not a mainstream n - a. My taste level is so alternative that if I do something that becomes mainstream, it’s only because I wanted to do it.