Ever since his arrival to the game, A$AP Ferg has consistently found ways to take his career to a new level. Whether that be through music or his fashion endeavors, the Harlem rapper has mastered the art of hustle. Ferg came in the game as a part of momentous New York collective A$AP Mob, who notably put out projects like Lord$ Never Worry and their respective Cozy Tapes installments. However, over the years, he has amassed his own distinct audience and sound that resonates with fans. In 2013, the artist put out his debut album Trap Lord, spawning global hit records like “Shabba” and “Work.” Not too long after, he followed with several commercially successful LPs and singles. With a signature voice and relentless worth ethic, Ferg has shown that he’s here to stay.
A$AP Ferg is currently gearing up for a busy 2020 and from the looks of it, there’s no stopping him. Earlier this year, we received critically acclaimed singles “Move Ya Hips” featuring Nicki Minaj and MadeInTYO and most recently, “No Ceilings” featuring Lil Wayne and Jay Gwupo. Ferg’s much-awaited “fourth-coming” album, rumored to be titled Floor Seats II, is slated to arrive later this year. It will serve as the second installment and a follow-up to 2019’s Floor Seats, which boasts features from Brent Faiyaz, Rico Nasty, and A$AP Ferg.
And speaking of more successful, industry money-making peeps, Chicago native Ro$$ Mac is no stranger to hip hop or economics. Coined the first “Wall Street rapper,” he rose to fame upon the release of singles like “Hold Up” and “A Dub.” As a former club investor and Wall Street professional, he merges catchy lyricism with financial literacy.
With all of their accolades, we’re so excited to have both Ferg and Ross featured in the “More Money, No More Problems” workshop at the 2020 REVOLT Summit x AT&T. In anticipation of the event, check out these facts you may not have known about them below.
1. Ferg launched a clothing line before his music career
Ferg is heavily influenced by his father, Darold Ferguson, who designed logos for many prominent figures and brands including Diddy’s Bad Boys Entertainment logo. Darold also owned a boutique, which would serve as the starting point for A$AP Ferg’s fashion career. In 2005, the rapper began a clothing and jewelry line, Devoni Clothing, which consisted of printed tees and high-end belts worn by celebrities such as Chris Brown and many more.
A bit later in his career, Ferg launched his clothing line aptly named Trap Lord. It initially served as merchandise to support his debut album of the same name, but ripened into a full-blown clothing line. Some of the Trap Lord’s collaborators include, but are not limited to, BAPE, and Young & Reckless, to name a few.
2. Ross was formally known for being a Wall Street professional
Before creating a name for himself within hip hop, Ro$$ Mac was formerly known as a Wall Street professional. For several years, he worked at investing company Morgan Stanley doing high-yield sales and trading stocks. “I bought my first stock when I was 18 in college after I saw this kid day-trading in class. I instantly had to get involved,” he told The Source. And when I graduated from Wharton, I began working on Wall Street.
3. Ferg studied marketing in college for a few semesters
Yes, Ferg attended college. The Harlem rapper went to school to study marketing and management. As noted, some of those principles he learned while there were carried into his music career and persona. “I went to college for about a couple few semesters, I don’t remember how many. I studied marketing and management so my whole [motto] was marketing, business, and everything like that,” Ferg previously told Ebro In The Morning. “I’m built for this basically.”
4. Ross held a partnership with REVOLT for a series called “Maconomics”
From entrepreneur to rapper, Ro$$ Mac aptly served as the host of “Maconomics,” a digital series on REVOLT. On the show, he gave insightful advice on how to grow your finances while educating viewers on several avenues of income.
He noted that the idea for “Maconomics” stemmed from an episode of T.I’s podcast “expediTIously,” where he spoke on JAY-Z’s financial endeavors and net worth status. “That was something that resonated with me, but more importantly, one of my little homies hit me up. He’s like, ‘Bro, I know you do these ‘Macanomics’
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and all that, but you have to show me in real life,’” Mac told Chicago Sun Times.
5. The name of Ferg’s debut album, Trap Lord, is bigger than an ego
Trap Lord, A$AP Ferg’s debut album, set the stage for the Harlem rapper’s commercially successful career. It spawned hits like “Shabba” and “Work (Remix),” which further cemented his name in both the New York and global rap scene. However, there’s a deeper meaning behind the project’s title that goes beyond the selling drugs stigma.
“A Trap Lord is basically the struggle to do better. It’s almost like the theme of Always Strive And Prosper (A$AP). Trap don’t necessarily mean you selling drugs,” Ferg told XXL. “You could be selling clothes, watches, fake watches, gold teeth, hats — anything. You just trapping. And you a Lord of it.”
6. Ross attended the University of Pennsylvania
Not to be mistaken for Penn State University, Mac attended Ivy League college University of Pennsylvania. “I’m what you call an anomaly in the sense of I was a class clown that got straight A’s. And that’s just a fact,” Ro$$ said on No Ketchup Podcast. “I was that guy and I was talking all type of shit in class, and I’m getting all types of Ivy League acceptances. It was the same when I was in school, I had a ball in college.”
7. Ferg is the second member of A$AP Mob to ink a deal with a major label
In January 2013, Ferg became the second Mob member to ink a solo deal with a major label. He signed to Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records, the same label that houses A$AP Rocky and A$AP Mob. As his label debut, he unveiled a remix to his hit single “Work,” which further propelled the track into viral triumph. It featured star-studded appearances from French Montana, ScHoolBoy Q, Trinidad James, and of course A$AP Rocky. This became his first, but certainly not last, RIAA-certified platinum release.
8. One of his first tours was alongside DJ Envy and T.I. during an HBCU tour run
As the co-founder of party series “Drill,” Mac expanded his audience across the states via a number of live performances. As a result, he landed a slot on the highly coveted “Coors Light HBC Tour.” He was joined by likes of Atlanta rapper T.I. and DJ Envy, and toured city to city.
9. Ferg is in to home decor
Amongst his long list of business ventures, which include music and fashion, A$AP Ferg also made an imprint in home design. In 2017, he partnered up with merchandise retailer Fancy.com for a limited time array of home goods. Some of the merchandise he offered as a part of collaboration include duvet covers, bath towels, robes, and much more.
“It’s just something different. I always think about new ways to expand my brand. What else is better than wearing a hoodie with your logo on, or your t-shirt with your logo — that’s home goods, you know?” Ferg told Harper’s Bazaar. “I thought about it and why not? Why not experience a brand of Traplord and do something good like home goods so people can put it in their homes.”