A$AP Rocky on Why Fans Treat Jay-Z Like a Therapist

In a candid conversation with Elle Magazine, A$AP Rocky reflected on mental health, music, and family while promoting his latest project, Highest 2 Lowest, a collaboration with director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington. The discussion blended skepticism with introspection, as Rocky questioned traditional therapy and explored how art can function as a means of emotional expression.

Rocky highlighted how audiences often look to artists for guidance, likening Jay-Z to a therapist. “I think Jay-Z is a Black therapist. A lot of people come to him with their problems,” he said. His observation underscores how fans often turn to music not just for entertainment but as a way to process struggles, treating artists as emotional touchstones in their lives.

Discussing Highest 2 Lowest, Rocky described the film as akin to an “anxiety attack” and expressed skepticism about conventional therapy. “My outlook on therapy is so pessimistic, it’s not even funny… I compare therapists to psychics. If you haven’t shared the same experiences, how can they genuinely help?” His remarks signal a critique of clinical approaches while emphasizing the importance of shared experience in meaningful support.

Fatherhood and Family

The conversation shifted to his personal life, with Rocky sharing excitement over expanding his family with Rihanna. Anticipating their third child, he admitted, “I hope it’s a girl. I really do. This pregnancy is so different from the other two. I feel like it’s going to be a girl. I need that.” The comment revealed a rare vulnerability, showing a softer side of the rapper beyond his public persona.

Shortly after the interview, Rihanna confirmed the birth of their daughter, Rocki Irish Mayers, on Instagram, posting photos celebrating the family. Rocky paid tribute as well, referring to Rihanna and their newborn as “MY LIL LADIES.”

Rocky’s reflections illuminate how artists navigate wellness, identity, and familial responsibility under public scrutiny. By linking creativity with emotional exploration and sharing his experience of impending fatherhood, he fosters a conversation that resonates beyond celebrity culture, where vulnerability and artistry intersect in profound ways.