In 2013 rap’s dividing lines have disintegrated. Bitter battles over regionalism are a thing of the past, fans no longer have to opt for either “gangsta” or “conscious,” and the differences between underground and mainstream are ethereal at best. This is good news for Wiz Khalifa and A$AP Rocky, whose 20-date Under the Influence of Music tour kicks off July 17. Today’s rapper doesn’t have to fit somebody else’s stereotype of who he should be. The former hails from Pittsburgh, is tattooed head to toe, wears skinny jeans and hangs with Snoop. The latter reps Harlem and gold teeth, has his own clothing line, and collabs with Skrillex. Each presents a complex profile and as it turns out they have a lot in common, even if only one of them is married to model Amber Rose and has a two-month old son — ahem, Khalifa.
In honor of their forthcoming North American jaunt (also featuring Trinidad James and Joey Bada$$), SPIN sat down with Wiz and Rocky in Los Angeles to discuss their shared love of Smokey Robinson, the benefits of not doing groupies, the perks of pescetarianism, and the joy of fatherhood.
How did you two originally meet?
A$AP: I met Wiz at South by Southwest about a year ago. The first thing the motherfucker did was give me a doobie and some gin. He made me drink all that shit — not cool. He said, “You got to drink this for the homies.” We got fucked up. Every time after that he’s always got one rolled for the boy. He gave me a big fat one at Coachella last year.
Have you had any wild nights out in Harlem or Pittsburgh?
A$AP: Nah. When I emerged Wiz was already starting to do family things. Adult things. My definition of partying and his are probably similar under one circumstance: weed.
more after the jump
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