A$AP Rocky Is Sharp As a Knife on Complex Cover

A$AP Rocky, the most stylish man in hip-hop, is the cover boy for Complex magazine's December 2012/January 2013 issue. This is the second time the Harlem rhyme-spitter has graced the cover with his first being with fashion designer Jeremy Scott back in January.

In the cover photo, Rocky is using an extremely sharp knife as a toothpick for his gold-encrusted grill. The cover line, "Flosses Daily," pretty much sums up his life within the past year. A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers) went from being underground rapper to a major-label rap superstar seemingly overnight.

In the Complex interview, the 24-year-old rapper discusses his rise to stardom, being a rebel in hip-hop and his infamous booty grab with Rihanna at the MTV Video Music Awards.

"I didn’t mean for the a-- grab to be the thing. I don’t fiend for fake publicity s---," he says of squeezing Ri-Ri's booty. "I’m just a trill n---a. [Laughs.] Rihanna is what I want to be, as far as having a big core following. She’s very successful. She’s been doing it for years. Shout-outs to that young lady, and hopefully, with the grace of God, seven years from now, I can say the same."

Rocky also sees himself as a rebel in hip-hop because he is simply lives his life fearlessly. "I’m doing everything I want to do, the way I think it should be done," he explains. "Let’s break it down. I’m from New York City. I look like I’m from California. I rap like I’m from 1993, ’94, or ’95. I dress like I’m from France. [Laughs.] And I f--- b----es like I’m Tupac. And I ain’t scared of s---, like I’m God. So, of course I’m a rebel. I do what the f--- I want."

In the end, A$AP Rocky is happy to be inspiring the next generation of kids with his music. "I want kids to say, 'Yo, I want to do what I want to do. I want to live free,'" he says. "A$AP is a lifestyle. Be young. Smoke some weed. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re not perfect. I’m not perfect. I’m not a role model. I’m an entertainer -- but I’m a cultural figure."

The December 2012/January 2013 Complex magazine with A$AP Rocky hits newsstands next week.

Watch the A$AP Rocky Complex Magazine Video Interview