A$AP Rocky is flirting with the idea of trading sold-out arenas for City Hall — and he’s not being subtle about it.
According to the New York Post, in a wide-ranging video interview tied to a new Esquire magazine profile, the Harlem-born rapper said he’s considering a run for New York City mayor in 2029, a move that would instantly shake up the city’s political landscape.
“2029 — vote for Mayor Mayers. Vote for Rocky,” the Grammy-winning artist said flatly when asked about his political ambitions.
The 37-year-old, whose real name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, framed the idea as a natural extension of his background and worldview, positioning himself as a candidate who understands everyday struggles in the city.
“I think that I would really do well because I’m a guy that’s for the people,” Rocky said.
His comments suggest that a campaign would focus on bread-and-butter issues facing New Yorkers, from infrastructure to affordability, themes that already dominate local politics.
“See pot holes, fix them,” he said. “The rates for the trains, like the train fare just went up to $3. It’s f—king crazy. Inflation is crazy. SNAP and welfare and food stamps and all of these benefits — it’s f—d up because that’s where I derive from. Creating more job opportunities, create better health care.”
A Rocky run would likely set up a high-profile showdown with New York City’s current mayor, Zohran Mamdani, himself a former rapper whose pre-politics music career drew far less attention than Rocky’s chart-topping success. While Rocky never mentioned Mamdani by name, his rhetoric echoed the mayor’s calls for sweeping political and economic change.
The rapper’s comments were framed as exploratory rather than definitive, but the clarity of his statement — and the timing — immediately sparked speculation about whether he could mount a serious campaign.
Rocky is no stranger to public life beyond music. As a global celebrity and fashion icon, he commands a massive following and media attention few potential candidates could rival. Whether that star power could translate into votes remains an open question.
If he were to run — and win — the move would also put an even brighter spotlight on his personal life. Rocky has been in a relationship with Rihanna since 2020, and the couple shares three children.
A successful campaign would make Rihanna New York City’s first lady, adding another unprecedented chapter to an already headline-grabbing political scenario.
For now, Rocky says he’s just testing the waters. But his message was unmistakable: he’s thinking big — and he wants voters thinking about him, too.
