A$AP Rocky Speaks On A$AP Yams’ Death

A$AP Rocky has spoken to the press for the first time on the death of A$AP Mob boss Steven Rodriguez, aka A$AP Yams, who passed away suddenly last weekend.

After making his on-screen acting debut at the premiere of Dope and playing a two-song set, Rocky gave a brief interview to Billboard at Sundance Film Festival last night in which he talked about his grief, the still-unknown cause of death and Rodriguez's role in Rocky's second studio album.

"The whole time I was rapping and I wasn't into it, which is sad, but I just gotta keep it real," Rocky told Billboard, referring to the Sundance set (at which he dedicated one of his songs to Rodriguez). "I can't front. It's even harder knowing that I gotta fly out in less than an hour just to go bury him. That's the part that eats at me."

Speaking on the cause of Rodriguez's death, Rocky reiterated A$AP Ant's statement that it was not an overdose: "People were saying that Yams overdosed on drugs—he didn't overdose on any drugs. I feel like people feel that way because that's all he's in pictures doing. When you see A$AP Yams you see Hennessey or purple drink, you see some type of controlled substance or illegal narcotic."

He also clarified that his upcoming album is "basically done," revealing that Rodriguez will be co-executive producer on it alongside Dangermouse.

A spokesperson for NYPD told The FADER on Tuesday that Rodriguez's cause of death is as yet unknown. His funeral is taking place today.