The world got its first taste of Fergenstein on Live. Love. A$AP., the purple-tinged, codeine-soaked 2011 debut mixtape from New York newcomer A$AP Rocky. The tape ushered in Rocky as a breath of fresh air in the hip-hop game and introduced A$AP as not just a young collective of adventurous New York MCs, but a full-blown trilled-out lifestyle brand. On the track "Kissin' Pink," A$AP Mob member Ferg infused the tape with one of its most standout moments, a cheeky, Dirty South-flavored, half sung verse that left us wanting more.
Born Darold Ferguson, 25-year-old A$AP Ferg hails from Harlem, where his father used to design and sell his own clothing line to a crew of luminaries like Puff Daddy and Biggie. A hustler and renaissance man in his own right, when the self-proclaimed Hood Pope says his debut album Trap Lord will "change your life," he means it. While most MCs are hasty to put out a mixtape, Ferg and his crew are adamant about quality over quantity. Make no mistake; Trap Lord is a fully-formed powerhouse. He's making a name for himself with heavy-hitting anthems like "Work" and "Shabba," and is currently headlining a U.S. tour in support of this critically acclaimed debut.
Back in October, after a jam-packed day of interviews in anticipation of his first solo tour, Ferg chatted with us about his current fashion influences, his Trap Lord aspirations, and why the old beef with Miami's Raider Klan is "not even relevant."