<p id=”par-1_94″>A$AP Rocky has carved out a career that blends music, fashion, and cultural influence, making him one of the most versatile artists of his generation. Rising to fame in the early 2010s with his debut mixtape <em>Live. Love. A$AP</em>, he quickly distinguished himself through his genre-bending sound, merging Southern hip-hop influences with New York grit, and his eye for high-fashion aesthetics. In August 2025, he spoke about <em>Highest 2 Lowest</em>, a film he starred in <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/denzel-washington-gives-rihanna-asap-rockys-romance-green-light.html/”>alongside Denzel Washington</a>. And he candidly spoke about why he believes nobody aspires to have a rap career anymore.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-a-ap-rocky-thinks-the-younger-generations-don-t-aspire-to-become-rappers-anymore”>A$AP Rocky thinks the younger generations don’t aspire to become rappers anymore</h2>
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<p id=”par-2_90″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/what-is-asap-rocky-real-name.html/”>A$AP Rocky</a> is well-known for <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/asap-rocky-fatherhood-fly-child-rihanna.html/”>his relationship with Rihanna</a>, but he also <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/drake-turned-down-collaborating-asap-rocky-song-kendrick-lamar.html/”>has a solid rap career</a>. His studio albums, including <em>Long. Live. A$AP</em> and <em>At. Long. Last. A$AP</em>, solidified his place in rap with chart-topping singles like “F***in’ Problems” and collaborations across music’s biggest names. Beyond music, Rocky has become a style icon and creative force, partnering with global brands, walking in runway shows, and shaping trends in streetwear and luxury fashion alike. In 2025, he starred in <em>Highest 2 Lowest</em> as Yung Felon, an up-and-coming hip-hop artist. </p>
<p id=”par-3_46″>Rocky spoke to the <a href=”https://apnews.com/article/denzel-washington-asap-rocky-highest-2-lowest-24159b18233f4c430b28a23ff81987b5″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Associated Press</a> about working with Denzel Washington on the film. And he also had an interesting perspective on the state of rap music currently. Rocky believes that kids today don’t want to make rap music. Instead, they want to make money streaming.</p>
<p id=”par-4_37″>“The kids, they don’t want to be rappers anymore,” he said. “They don’t want to be ballers. They want to be streamers. It’s basically another word for ‘YouTuber.’ They all want to be YouTubers, I promise you.”</p>
<p id=”par-5_14″>Washington, who sat beside Rocky, asked how those kids plan on making money. </p>
<p id=”par-6_16″>“They make all the money now,” Rocky corrected. He then noted that performers are becoming “obsolete.”</p>
<p id=”par-7_34″>“Nobody’s watching. Nobody cares,” he continued. “They’d rather watch an 18-year-old with millions of viewers open up a bag of chips and tell you how good it is. These guys are the new rappers.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-a-ap-rocky-previously-said-that-the-internet-hindered-rap-music”>A$AP Rocky previously said that the internet hindered rap music</h2>
<p id=”par-8_47″>This isn’t the first time that A$AP Rocky has given his unique perspective on the rap and hip-hop music industries today. While speaking to <a href=”https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/jerrod-carmichael-and-aap-rocky-on-masculinity-fatherhood-and-fear” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Interview</a> in conversation with Jerrod Carmichael, Rocky noted that rap is stuck in an “adolescent space” due to the rise of internet culture.</p>
<p id=”par-9_68″>“Rap is in its adolescence, and it’s been stuck here since Soulja Boy,” Rocky alleged. ‘Before, everybody looked 35 and up. When Lil Wayne and Jay-Z and T.I. and Jeezy and Ross was on, rappers looked old. Like, we had Lil’ Bow Wow and that was it. That all changed with the internet and self-releasing. Now, rap is stuck in this braggadocious, adolescent space. It’s not as mature.”</p>
<p id=”par-10_18″>Rocky noted that rappers don’t want to “exclude anybody or neglect any demographics,” which wasn’t always the case.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-are-the-rapper-and-rihanna-planning-on-releasing-music-together”>Are the rapper and Rihanna planning on releasing music together?</h2>
<p id=”par-11_33″>A$AP Rocky teased a possible Rihanna collaboration at the end of 2024. While speaking to E! News, he noted he and his partner had “something in the works,” though he wouldn’t elaborate. </p>
<p id=”par-12_48″>“I think [we love working together so much as friends first and then partners] just because it’s easy, especially with somebody you share a kindred spirit with or you share the same interests with,” he said, according to <a href=”https://thebeat951.com/music-news/2024-12-05-aap-rocky-says-he-and-rihanna-have-something-in-the-works/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>95.1 The Beat</a>. “It’s pretty easy. It feels more organic or natural.”</p>
<p id=”par-13_38″>Rihanna has reportedly been working on new music for awhile, so fans are eager to see if any of her new tracks include Rocky. She previously told <a href=”https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a63741955/rihanna-motherhood-music-dior-campaign-interview-2025/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Harper’s Bazaar</a> why she’s waited so long to release new music.</p>
<p id=”par-14_54″>“Every time, I was just like, ‘No, it’s not me. It’s not right. It’s not matching my growth. It’s not matching my evolution,’” she explained. “… I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.”</p>