A$AP Rocky Talks Iggy Azalea’s Authenticity, Hating His Biggest Songs & More in Complex Magazine’s April/May 2015 Issue

As A$AP Rocky prepares for the release of his sophomore album, At.Long.Last.A$AP, the follow-up to 2013’s Long.Live.A$AP, the Harlem, N.Y. native is making his promo rounds to strum up the buzz surrounding his new project. The “Fashion Killa” graces the new cover of Complex and opens up about his ex-girlfriend Iggy Azalea, his beef with other rappers, falling back from the spotlight and his new music.

Pretty Flacko has been away from the spotlight since he dropped his debut album two years ago. But the time away was well spent for the rapper. “Yeah. I needed time to master my craft. You don’t rush art, and I don’t think you quickly produce fine art,” Rocky told Complex. “You take your time. That’s not an excuse, or me trying to justify [any delays], that’s truly what I believe. I took time off and learned how to act, learned how to make beats and do production.”

Elevating himself and maturing has caused Rocky to feel freer than ever and to look back in retrospect on his first album. “I’ve got that cliché thing where I hate my biggest songs,” he said.

Even with years of experience, the A$AP Mob leader is learning new things about the industry daily and even offered some advice to rap rookie, Iggy Azalea, who Rocky dated briefly a few years back.

Azalea has been the target of memes and scrutiny for her lyrical content, fashion sense and Twitter rants for some time now, which Rocky says it all part of the business. “It comes with the game. If [Iggy Azalea is] fake on something, somebody is going to call her bluff,” Rocky pointed out. “That’s life. I’m not looking at it from a standpoint of 'I used to be boning this chick’s back out.' I’m looking at it [as] 'She’s just a person.' You can’t bluff. You gotta just be 100. That’s all I could really say. The question is: Was she not being 100 about something?”

Aside from reflecting and getting down to the basics of real versus fake, Flacko showcased some of the music fans have been waiting to hear. He played songs off At.Long.Last.A$AP for journalist Joe La Puma. Miguel, Juicy J, Bun B and even previously recorded bars from the late great Pimp C are featured Peep the full interview here.

See 10 Most Anticipated Rap Albums of 2015