A$AP Ferg On Working Smarter Not Harder

A rapper, artist and designer, A$AP Ferg stands as one of the most distinguishable entertainers today. From supporting his hometown of Harlem, to sitting front row at fashion shows, he has an impressive body of work, including chart-topping music, a clothing line, and brand collaborations, such as his recent project with Redline Bikes. A graduate of Manhattan’s High School of Art and Design, Ferg was originally interested in the arts before rapping. His late father not only worked with Dapper Dan but he also owned his own print shop and created the Bad Boy Records logo. Exposed to the eclectic fashion scene in New York, he attributes musicians, especially rappers like Kanye West, for fusing opposing subcultures. Ferg still remains in Harlem to this day, in hope to give his community more visibility. He grew up seeing rappers like Jim Jones and Cam’ron become successful yet local to the area. The rapper does admit he recently purchased a home in New Jersey, but only to see “where his money is moving”—all of which inspires him to “work smarter not harder.” Constantly challenging his own endeavors, Ferg boasts an impressive resume of collaborations. Having learned the ropes early on from attending meetings with Rocky, he grew partnerships with adidas, Revlon and Tiffany, just to name a few. The seasoned rapper now stands at a point in his career where he has the flexibility to move in any direction. He tells us that his goals involve being a creative resource for emerging ar