In a revealing new interview, acclaimed rapper A$AP Rocky has spoken openly about his current relationship with fellow music superstar Drake, confirming a reported rift between the two artists. The 37-year-old, whose full name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, stated bluntly that he now avoids the Canadian rapper, telling Apple Music host Ebro Darden, "I just don't f*** with him."
The Interview and Alleged Tensions
During the conversation aired on Wednesday, Darden pressed A$AP Rocky on whether there was "really an issue" between him and Drake, questioning if the feud was akin to a professional wrestling storyline designed to "rage bait" the public for publicity. A$AP Rocky responded by drawing a comparison to the world of wrestling, saying, "I think hip-hop tactics and beefs is, like, WWF. It's like wrestling all the way, right? But this thing between us, it's not real smoke."
Past Friendship and Personal Dynamics
The New York City native revealed that he and Drake, who collaborated on the 2012 track F***in' Problems, "were once friends," but suggested the relationship soured "over females." This allusion is particularly notable given that both artists have been romantically linked to global superstar Rihanna, with whom A$AP Rocky now shares a family. He is the father to three children with the Grammy-winning Umbrella singer, 37, and remains in a happy relationship with her.
A$AP Rocky elaborated on his perspective, saying of Drake, "I feel like he wasn't happy and he expressed that - and I think at some certain point when everybody getting older and it's just like, you're supposed to be moving on." He added pointedly, "For you to still be pickin' at a female and all that, that's soft to me. I didn't put out an album, I didn't put out music for me to really say something back."
New Music and Fan Speculation
The dialogue about the rappers' relationship comes after fans speculated that A$AP Rocky's new track Stole Ya Flow might be a diss track aimed at Drake. Lyrics in the song include: "First you stole my flow, so I stole yo' bitch. Now I'm a father, my bitch badder than my toddler/ My baby mama Rihanna, so we unbothered." However, A$AP Rocky clarified in the interview, "It ain't just about one person. I'm talkin' to whoever - whoever feels like I'm talking to them."
A Call for Maturity and Perspective
The rapper emphasised what he sees as the pettiness of the situation, stating, "And I do think that it's petty … it's enough money. It's enough women. It's enough fame, spotlights to go around. But is it real smoke? It could never be." A$AP Rocky and Rihanna are parents to sons RZA, three, and Riot, two, and daughter Rocki, five months, underscoring his focus on family life amidst the industry drama.
Historical Context: Drake and Rihanna's Romance
Drake and Rihanna's on-and-off romance dates back to their 2010 collaboration What's My Name?, following her split with Chris Brown. The pair appeared notably cozy at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where Drake presented Rihanna with the Video Vanguard Award. At that August 2016 event, Drake said of Rihanna, "She is someone I've been in love with since I was 22 years old. She's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I've looked up to her even though she's younger than me. She's a living, breathing legend in our industry."
This history adds a layer of complexity to the current dynamics between A$AP Rocky and Drake, highlighting how personal relationships can intersect with professional rivalries in the high-stakes world of hip-hop. A$AP Rocky's comments suggest a desire to move beyond past conflicts, framing the feud as an unnecessary distraction in an industry with ample success to share.
