A$AP Rocky Catches the Subway to See Grandma Instead of Showing Off: Staying True to Himself

A$AP Rocky for ‘Esquire Magazine’ in January 2026.
Credit :

Felix Cooper (2)

NEED TO KNOW

• A$AP Rocky discussed the significance of “being humble” during visits to his grandmother in Harlem.
• “I don’t like to floss when I go up there,” he expressed in an interview with Esquire Magazine published on Wednesday, January 28.
• A$AP Rocky’s new album, Don’t Be Dumb, is currently available.

A$AP Rocky values humility, especially when visiting his grandmother in Harlem.

In a featured interview with Esquire Magazine on January 28, the rapper and actor shared insights about his relationship with his grandmother and his approach to those visits. He emphasized that he avoids any ostentation during these trips.

At 37 years old, Rocky recounted how he recently took the subway to see his grandmother, who resides in a rental in Harlem, while donning a balaclava to keep a low profile.

A$AP Rocky for ‘Esquire Magazine’ in January 2026.

Felix Cooper

“I don’t like to floss when I go up there and s— like that,” he stated. “Not saying that I’m flossing, but you know, my lifestyle is very, like, fortunate.” He added that he dislikes showing off his success in front of those who may be less fortunate.

“It’s very important. Humility, man. Humanity. You know, just being humble, for the most part. It’s so easy to get gassed off this s—,” Rocky emphasized.

In December, it was reported that Rocky collaborated with Bilt, a rewards program, to promote his new album, Don’t Be Dumb.

This partnership resulted in a limited edition vinyl album honoring his hometown of Harlem. Bilt also made a donation to support the rent for all tenants in the Harlem apartment building where Rocky grew up and where his grandmother currently resides, covering January 2026 rent.

A$AP Rocky for ‘Esquire Magazine’ in January 2026.

Felix Cooper

“For me, it’s always been about your community and neighborhood,” Rocky remarked in a related press release. “Harlem made me who I am, from uptown to downtown, and that connection to place is everything.”

He added, “When Bilt said they wanted to cover rent for everyone in the same building where I grew up, that hit different. That’s not just business, that’s understanding what community really means.”

A$AP Rocky’s latest album, Don’t Be Dumb, is available now.