Harlem rapper, A$AP Ferg recently released his “Dope Walk” video, from his Gangsta Grillz mixtape Ferg Forever. In the video shot by Ferg and Matt Starr on an iPhone, Ferg takes model/socialite Cara Delevinge on digital ride via Face Time and gives both Cara and his audience insider access during New York Fashion Week. Warning: NSFW From sitting front row at shows by Pyer Moss, Adam Selman and Adidas x Kanye to cameos from celebrities such as Rihanna, Big Sean, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. So, of course, I decided to chat with Ferg on creativity, fashion, and hear more on what ‘Dope Walk’ is all about. Now you can be the judge if his walk is “meaner than Cara …
Harlem rapper, A$AP Ferg recently released his “Dope Walk” video, from his Gangsta Grillz mixtape Ferg Forever. In the video shot by Ferg and Matt Starr on an iPhone, Ferg takes model/socialite Cara Delevinge on digital ride via Face Time and gives both Cara and his audience insider access during New York Fashion Week.
Warning: NSFW
From sitting front row at shows by Pyer Moss, Adam Selman and Adidas x Kanye to cameos from celebrities such as Rihanna, Big Sean, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. So, of course, I decided to chat with Ferg on creativity, fashion, and hear more on what ‘Dope Walk’ is all about. Now you can be the judge if his walk is “meaner than Cara Delevingne’s.”
1. Now that “Dope Walk” is out… how do you feel it has been received by the public? Is this what you hoped for?
I knew that people would have more fun with the song once they saw the visual and how the dance went in the video. A lot of people are just having fun doing the dope walk or just enjoying seeing other people doing the dance and that’s all I hoped for. I wanted to bring back the essence of song and dance and highlight a brighter energy of hip hop. The video exceeded my expectations of just being a trendy dance in Harlem and I feel it really went global.
2. Can you walk me through the creative process of conceptualizing and filming the video. I love the idea of inviting your audience to be with you every step of the way.
I came up with the idea of shooting the video on my phone to make the video feel more personal with artist Matt Starr and founder of The 88, Harry Bernstein. We wanted to shoot an innovational video and push the limit a bit with creativity.
3. Artists from Beyonce to OG Maco have taken the guerilla style, DIY approach to creating their videos. It strips down the pretentious layers associated with being a “celebrity” and makes you very relatable. Do you see this as a new trend?
I don’t feel like it makes you less of a celebrity but I do feel like making yourself more relatable is the new celebrity. With the new computer age I think fans get a kick out of knowing that their favorite celebs have the same habits they have.
4. You shared your “private” face-time session with your “virtual friend” Cara with the world. How does this speak to the kids of the digital age and the times of today? Do you think privacy is obsolete?
Privacy is what you make of it. I think that privacy is between you and the person; it doesn’t have to deal with computers or phones.
5. When watching the video, everything about it was effortless and fun. Which to me is very you. Can you speak on what part or parts of your character allows you to bridge the gap between music and fashion in this way?
I’m an artist by nature who loves to use many different mediums to express myself including music, dance, fashion and film. I come from an art background and these things come natural to me.
6. Speaking on the bridge between music and fashion, I went to the Dipset performance at BB Kings the other night. It was definitely a walk down memory lane. It evoked the same feeling as the “Dope Walk” Video. I remember a collection you did for the Young & Reckless and you said the purple camo bulletproof vest was inspired by Dipset’s street team, Purple City Bird Gang. How has Dipset been of influence to you? And how do you feel about their reunion project?
The reunion project is cool but I love the old Dipset before the break up. When Killah [Cam’ron] was doing the all pink range and Jim was “one eye willie” I used to see them in Harlem all day everyday. I want to provide that feeling to my generation of that “real” accessible celebrity.
7. In terms of your creative vision and progress what can we expect from you in 2015, and how do you plan on bringing your ideas to life?
Expect me to bring it back home to Harlem.
8. Lastly, talk to me about the tribal face paint you rocked during NYFW. What influenced that? What were people’s reactions?
I did the tribal face art because I thought it would compliment my outfit and people loved it.
For more information on A$ap Ferg head to www.asapferg.com.
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