A$AP TyY On New Music, Paris Fashion Week, and Getting Serious About His Health

Lantern Coat (similar styles) **HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE.**

You were born and raised in Harlem. To you,what makes Harlem special?

The diversity and the home feeling that it brings.

As you've seen Harlem evolve, are you embracing the "new Harlem," or do you miss the "Old Harlem?"

I would definitely say old Harlem was better because people were more united. We had more fun activities. It wasn't social media; it was more about people being outside. That stands out for me back then. Today, some of that doesn't matter to this time we're in now. I'm not saying that the transition now isn't great. It's a great thing to adapt to, Harlem is heading in the right direction, but I can't say it's better than it was when I grew up.

Trompe L'œil Nylon Bomber Jacket ($2,150.00), Pants (similar styles), and Calfskin Lace-Up Combat Boots (similar styles) **MOSCHINO**.

Before we get into the new music, I want to talk about your song "Ting." What inspired that track?

A lot of things inspired that track. I remember when I was younger, we go these basement parties, and they would turn the lights off and play a lot of reggae music. I used to hang out with Jamaicans when I was young, and they had a lot of little after-hour parties and stuff like that. I was always into the West Indian sound, so I felt like I had to like tap into that. It's an Afro-Trini type of sound, so it was just me fusing these cultures and trying something new.

The music video for your new song, "Presidential," is a visual diary of your time at Paris Fashion Week from the menswear shows back in June. It wasn't your first Paris Fashion Week experience, so how did this visit compare to past ones, and how was your overall time in Paris?

I could definitely say that was my best fashion week yet to come. It was a dope time for the simple fact that we've been transitioning, coming through COVID and other things like that. It was a great feeling and a great moment to see things coming back into order, and it was a great opportunity. I sat front row at Givenchy and went to KidSuper. I would have never in a million years thought I could have done fashion week the way I did. I released a clothing line out there. It was an amazing time, and shout out to Paris.

When can your fans and supporters of A$AY TyY expect new music?

Oh, man, you can expect a lot of different avenues of things. I'm getting more comfortable with music and not afraid to try new sounds and go in different directions. So look out for some dope, dope, dope-sounding shit coming out in 2022 and 2023. I have a lot of exclusive things dropping this fall.

Coat (similar styles) Jacket (similar styles) and Pants (similar styles) **ZEGNA**

I've also noticed your visuals feature a lot of Bikes, ATVs, and 4-wheelers. When did you first get introduced to ATVs, and when did they become a love of yours?

As a kid, they were something that always fascinated me. Obviously, looking up to the pioneers, like people from Ruff Ryders or looking at X-Games, people in motorsports, people that used to be in my neighborhood. I've always been around this type of edgy thing coming up, and I was just fascinated by it. I had a pedal bike I was riding at first, and I would wheelie, jump, and hop over things. I thought I was going to be a BMX stunt rider after a while, but then I felt that got a little boring, and I wanted something that was a little edgier. I decided to my first bike when I was around 12 or 13 years old, which was a KX80, and I didn't look back. Then I fell in love with the 4-wheelers because I felt like it was another dope experience. Now here I am today with another passion I've had since I was a kid.

Lantern Coat (similar styles) and Pants (similar styles) **HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE.**

I've also noticed on your social media that you stay in the gym. The front squats, deadlifts, all the big compound lifts. When did your health become a priority for you?

I always felt my health was a priority for me. As I got older, It was more about conditioning myself. Trying to stay healthy and doing things like that was a challenge. At first, it was hard to break the habits I had, but I was ready for change and the challenge, and that's what keeps me in the gym; trying to see if I can stay focused and how much I can fulfill my dreams, and live up to my fullest potential. When I got into being healthy and fitness, I felt the world got serious with me as I was getting serious with taking care of myself.

Pants (similar styles) **MOSCHINO**; Talent’s own watch and ring.

Photographer: Ammar Thomas @iam.ammarjamal

Styling & Editor: Nigel Isaiah @nigel_isaiah

Location: The 9 Studios

Special Thanks: The Oriel Company