Despite the absence of a strong single, ASAP Rocky's sophomore album is a massive success. Greeted with mostly positive reviews, initial reactions generally praised the psychedelic production from Dangermouse, and the introduction of potential star, Joe Fox. However, one moment in particular made a lot of listeners uncomfortable, as Rocky seemed to attack Rita Ora by explicitly detailing an alleged sexual encounter with the singer on "Better Things".
While he initially brushed it off as being written over a year ago, Rocky's new interview with The Guardian found him expressing regret for including the line, which he admits was a "tasteless" move.
Later on in the interview he reflects on his biggest single, "Fuckin' Problems," and the effect ASAP Yams' passing had on him.
Check out some key quotes from the conversation below. Read the full piece here.
On the Rita Ora line from "Better Things":
The Rita thing was tasteless of me. [But] I’ve got to stand by it, because I did it. I said it. Who gives a fuck about who I’m fucking? Nobody really cares. It’s fun to hear, but who really gives a fuck about who Rita Ora’s fucking?
On "Fuckin' Problems":
It’s a fun song, [but] I didn’t want to be remembered as just that. That was my biggest song. Like man, I’ve got to wipe that off my record it’s like I’m not that guy any more. I was 22, 23 at the time – I was just having fun.
On dealing with the loss of ASAP Yams:
“I’ve been having to do that [re-evaluate] since he died, man. It’s going to have to be that way. It was always good to have that second opinion because I always knew what I wanted to do. To have my best friend there agreeing with me, let me knew I wasn’t crazy. Because my main concern was like: ‘Did I lose it, am I crazy, man?’ He kept me sane because he used to humble me even at the height of my career when people would try to reach out and try to do songs or talk shit. He’d be like: ‘Don’t shit on them because it’s a waste of energy.
