A$AP Mob’s entire framework is based on Dipset’s. This is not an assumption; it’s the truth. A$AP Yams worked as an intern under Dipset, pulling off feats such as replacing Disney Channel Hits CDs at Toys R Us with Dipset CDs. That was in 2007, which just so happened to be the same year he would first form A$AP Mob.
Considering this strong connection, one can assume that Dipset would embrace the new endeavor. Being the old guard in the premier city of hip hop, there would be seemingly no reason not to embrace the next wave. However, this didn’t seem to be the case.
A$AP Rocky on Cam’ron: My Favorite Things
Now, despite Yams’ personal connection to Dipset, it should be mentioned that Rocky himself is, without a doubt, a fan. Particularly of Cam’ron, there are many clips that can be found of him expressing his fandom. Come Home With Me, in particular, seems to be his go to, where in the above interview he expresses how its more than the music for him. Its the fashion, it’s the sound, it’s everything.
On the flip side, if you’re trying to find thoughts from Dipset members on A$AP, results are scarce. In fact, for Cam, there’s virtually no interviews where he speaks on them. It would take until he would have his own platform, the Talk With Flee YouTube Show, for the question to be presented to him in December of 2025. Here, it gets quickly answered with the simple idea that he didn’t see the vision. He still claims to support them, which is true to an extent, but there is no music to back this. As he does say, just because he doesn’t work with you doesn’t mean he doesn’t support you. Sure, but there’s much power behind the public facing cosign. Years later, he would work with J. Cole, but for what reason besides monetary? An awkward decision now, considering Cam has decided to sue Cole over this same feature.
Why Cam’ron Didn’t See The Vision For A$AP Rocky
That’s just Cam, which is disappointing considering Rocky’s own personal fandom of him. That shouldn’t mean the rest of Dipset would be dismissive, right? Well, in the case of Juelz Santana, in 2013 he claimed that he did not have a record for him. Which is fine, sometimes you don’t have that one, but does that mean Rocky wouldn’t have that for you? While in this interview, he does acknowledge A$AP Mob’s impact, he also does that sly talk; saying nothing can get better than how Dipset captured Harlem’s essence.
Juelz Santana Speaks On Cam’ron & A$AP Rocky & A Possible Dipset Album
The only core member of Dipset to have a song with Rocky is actually Jim Jones. There is a clip of the two in the studio together putting the touches on the Clams Casino track “Freeze.” This song would never end up on any project from either of them, but it can be found on Clams Casino’s YouTube channel.
Jim Jones And ASAP Rocky In The Studio (CapoLife)
A$AP Rocky – Freeze (feat. Jim Jones) (prod. by Clams Casino)
Despite having a track together, Jim still finds a way to discredit the group on the fashion front. In an interview with XXL, Jim states:
“They weren’t from the street,” Jim Jones said. “They’re a good group of kids and they’re artistic, but they’re not from the street and their style is way different than what we do. It’s a little bit far out there for me. We got bona fide swag and the definition of ‘get fly,’ ya dig? I’m not trying to disrespect them—A$AP Mob is doing it, they got their numbers and they’re doing what they like to do—but they’re nothing like the Diplomats. They didn’t come up hanging and banging and hustling and really touching the pavement, ya dig? It’s a big difference. We don’t wear kilts and we don’t wear tight sweatpants and funny sneakers. That’s not our style. Price point and high fashion don’t really make it cool. I’ll still go in Wal-Mart and come out and niggas will still think it’s Versace.”
So despite it all, the flowers can never be mutual. Somehow, it’s still not enough; they don’t have the same fashion sense, they are still not us. Staying competitive is one thing, but to stay dismissive of the trends, where A$AP Mob was taking fashion against what Jim was trying to do with Vampire Life; fashion history hasn’t fared that battle well for Jim.
While the focus here is Rocky, it is worth mentioning that Jim Jones & A$AP Ferg would eventually have a track together in the form of the 2016 song “Harlem.” This song would end up on Jim Jones album, The Kitchen, and seemingly the last time anyone from either group had worked together. Jim Jones would also remix Rocky’s song “Ghetto Symphony” on the DJ Drama hosted mixtape We Set the Trends in 2022, but in all fairness, what hasn’t Jim Jones remixed.
Dame Dash: Cam’ron Wouldn’t Talk To A$AP Rocky: Their Crew Took What Cam Did To The Next Level
Dame Dash may be a grade A hater, but considering all his points, there can be some validity to what he spoke about in his interview with Cam Capone News. In fact, this same clip is what Cam is responding to in his YouTube Show clip. Dame here understands the importance and sees what kind of impact the two groups would’ve had if they properly linked, but unfortunately, this was never the case.
DIPSET BRINGS ASAP ROCKY ONSTAGE AT RED BULL SHOW
The love Dipset showed was marginal. This would be in the form of live performances, which can be found throughout YouTube. This is the most mutual part; sometimes it’ll be a Dipset show bringing out Rocky, sometimes it’ll be an A$AP Mob show bringing out Dipset members. This is probably what Cam was trying to say: there was support at the live performances.
As fans of music, as fans of fashion, the question has to be ultimately asked: Why wouldn’t we want to see that bridge connected? At the end of the day, to Cam’s point, A$AP did have their own wave. Dipset can be fully looked at as a separate movement from A$AP Mob. From a fan perspective, what good is that? Would a Cam’ron or general Dipset cosign not quiet all the conversation if A$AP Mob was a true New York group or not? Would fashion not be a different place without the two creative minds working together rather than ignoring each other?
Cam’ron Dipset Origins, JAY-Z and Dame Dash Drama & Knicks Truths
One thing to remember amongst all this is Dipset wasn’t just some sudden brainchild. Cam’ron has mentioned before that he saw what that No Limit had his block in a frenzy, inspiring the people local to him with not just the music, but with the fashion.
“N***as used to have No Limit fights on my block. N***as was in New York wearing camouflage. Master P had n***as going cr*zy. Mr. Serv-on, Mystikal, it got down with them n***as. Shaq was in the video. They talking about P got $400 million. N***as is going around buying fake tank chains. All type of sh*t. Master P had that sh*t in a frenzy.”
This wasn’t just inspiration; it resulted in collaboration as well. In 2002, Dipset & Master P would join forces to make another remix for the regional hit “Bout It, Bout It.” Master P showed love in every way possible, as Cam’ron glamorizes in his Talk With Flee YouTube show. He highlights how Master P cleared the remix and personally came to Harlem to shoot the video. He even goes further into the power of a cosign, highlighting that Birdman’s shout-out on the radio was a major moment for the group, along with Birdman’s eventual remix of “Oh Boy.”
Cam’ron: Master P & Baby Co-Signed Dipset More Than NY Did
So for some reason, Cam’ron repeated this same cycle. Instead of acknowledging the mistakes of his peers and the previous generation, he continues to do the same dismissal of a group that was clearly the future for his neighborhood. Both groups wouldn’t be who they are without the southern influence, both groups wouldn’t be who they are without the fashion risks, and yet he put them in the same cycle instead of uplifting.