A$AP Rocky, who was recently seen holding a megaphone as a mic on a flame-lit arena stage, is speaking a little more softly than usual. “I was fooling around,” A$AP Rocky says in a strained voice, attributing his singing illness to cheering the crowd at his final in Athens. don’t be fooled The tour stopped in Europe a few days ago.
The Harlem rapper chose 2026, after some teasing and false starts, to end an eight-year gap in his discography. He released a chart-topping don’t be fooled in January, and ever since, it felt like Pretty Flacko was everywhere at the same time: awards shows, the Chanel fashion show, her own Over 6,000 attendees are showing off AWGE fashion shows, magazine covers, and on the streets of Manhattan (security detail blared) telling the world that they, themselves, are a New York Nick.
Calling from Paris, definitely a little homesick after all the travel, A$AP Rocky tells rolling stone Her progress report for the year, talking about her record-breaking fashion show, why she dyed her hair red, and inviting her three-year-old son, Riot, on stage with Rihanna in Copenhagen. He says he’s preparing for a mysterious “next chapter” and another chapter don’t be fooled Tour of Australia and New Zealand in December. “We’ll be fools again. That’s the name of that tour,” he says. “I wish I could attack South America and Africa, but that’s next.” and he teases disc 2An upcoming project he calls “Expansion” don’t be fooled.
Your arena tour has reached almost 50 dates in several countries. how’s that?
It is a blessing. When I tell you the demographics, it varies from 11-year-olds to people in their late sixties. I have also met people in their early seventies. Everyone present. You know, people are bringing younger siblings, TikTok users are bringing older siblings. I met and connected with a lot of communities, and reconnecting with my fans and new people, new faces, it was a blessing, yo.
You told me you were missing home, but I just read that you’ve announced more dates for December.
You know, third time’s a charm. We will be fooled again. I have to do it. This would be great.
I noticed you changed your hair color a little. What was the decision to go red?
That’s for the next chapter.
like the next chapter disc 2?
No, disc 2 Now it is coming to light. I’m dropping something off on Friday, and disc 2 Just about to fall – it’s just an extension of don’t be fooled. The next chapter is, you know, I don’t really want to get too ahead of myself, but the inspiration behind it was Denzel and Spike Lee, you know, Malcolm X. I’m ready to be the redhead on them, to be the idiot, you know.
So, a little “Detroit Red” energy for whatever’s next?
[Laughs.] Getcho ass out of Harlem!
I’m actually from Memphis, so I have to ask if your hometown producer would be HitKid (who produced this). don’t be fooled‘S “Stop Snitchin'”) on disc 2?
Although, of course, you know this. it’s hitkid on disk 2, This is Hitkid on New Chapters. At the end of the day, don’t get me started on that. Like, really, Memphis is in my DNA. If anyone has ever applied a Memphis, Texas, South-like, underground chopped and screwed, bucking type of music… it’s really me, man. I’m really a student of this thing.
I am a big fan. Like DJ Spanish Fly, he ain’t right there. Tommy Wright is uncle. Like these niggas are a part of me. I’m not even talking nonsense, I’m not even joking. When it comes to a region, it starts in Memphis, then it goes to Texas, then it travels to the Midwest, then it comes to New York, then it goes to the West Coast.
You’ve spent the entire year traveling across America and across Europe. Do you have a city or country that you would rank with the best energy?
It was Paris because I liked the two-on-one situation. Like I made history, and I did something I always dreamed of doing, you know. We broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the most attendees at a fashion show.
I was just so proud. My moms were there, my kids were there, like my family was there. Everyone was there. These were people there that I didn’t even know were going to be there, because if I had known they were going to be there, I probably would have been a little shy. My mom was right there, you know what I’m saying? My children are there. [The audience] Was throwing bra and shit.
You will probably be among many of the participants whose first Paris fashion show or the only fashion show they have ever attended.
Oh man, I have no words. Honestly, I love complimenting someone on a fashion show? It is an honour.
To be real with you, I was emotional and I cried myself to shit and shit like that. I was just thanking God and talking nonsense. Like I’ll just keep it real, you know.
Another big moment of the tour was having your son come on stage with you in Copenhagen. What was it like for Riot to watch you work and enjoy that ignited energy?
He’s so sweet, man. That’s my boy, there. He’s a little Spider-Man. He is very prepared for all these things. He is the most extrovert among all his siblings. And I think he has the strongest personality. So, for him, he is very curious. He is asking me if I sing. He’s asking A$AP Twelve if he does music too.
He’s not really shy. So it was really cool to have him there, but the funniest thing that’s going on in my mind is that, yeah, you know, after an eight-year hiatus, it’s time to work on my grounds. I am back. This is the first time he has seen his father on stage. But I believe wait until they get the mother load, wait until they realize who their mother is. This will just remain a stupid joke.
This is going to be very funny. Listen, we’re headed into Grammy season. Tell me how are you feeling? don’t be fooled Being a contender?
Man, I’ve got to take some home, man. I put in blood, sweat and tears. This eight-year hiatus and a strong comeback. I feel blessed and confident that we are going to do something great this year. I’m really excited, yo.
I am capable of doing these areas. I’m able to come back and make it matter, you know, shake up the room and all that stuff, and still remain influential. It’s like I never left, and I love it.
And you are still released. Tell me more about what’s going down on Friday.
It’s a song we’ve heard before, but I’ve never performed it officially. This is called “shroom clouds”. This is a fan favorite. I’ve been working on videos for years, and it’s like, infallible. You know me, man. Visually, I don’t take half-steps.
You know, I needed a break between tours to drop this too, so they could prepare for the next chapter.
Another recent drop you got was a feature on Quavo’s “Baby Breath” with Tyler, The Creator and Pharrell. quavo told Feeling Magazine You all were re-recording the verses to outdo each other.
Well, I don’t know if he was trying to rape us or not, but Tyler and I got fooled. Tyler moved into his alter ego, Young Nigga. People don’t really remember them. I just became a dummy. The pink-haired roller, Flacco Grimm.
We were just having fun at it, and then [Pharrell] It’s OG. We couldn’t miss that opportunity. I wish P had given me that song, you know what I’m saying? ‘Cause I would have done the video and all that nonsense. But shout out Quavo, man! That was a dope joint to be a part of. It’s all love there, man. Shout out to Migos. Rest in peace Rocket.
Okay, last thing. You have to give me something. What can you tell fans concretely about? disc 2?
disc 2 Coming asap.
Oh hell yeah.
This is everything they’ve heard from me over the last eight years. We’re officially giving it to them, and it’s coming with visuals and things like that.
Things that I might have made for a commercial, things that I might have made for movies, they’re officially coming to a close. So that chapter can be closed and we can move on to the next chapter to see what’s next.