A$AP Rocky Delves Into Rihanna References and Alleged Drake Friction on New Track
A$AP Rocky is pulling no punches with his latest release, “Stole Ya Flow.” Featured on his highly anticipated album Don’t Be Dumb, the track contains incendiary bars that many listeners have interpreted as a direct broadside against Drake—a sentiment the Harlem native recently discussed during a candid podcast appearance.
Speaking on the New York Times Popcast just ahead of the album’s debut, Rocky acknowledged that he anticipated the digital firestorm. He seemed unfazed by the speculation regarding the track’s target, dryly noting, “I think we all know,” when the subject of the song’s inspiration arose.
When questioned about the origin of the friction between him and the OVO hitmaker, Rocky described a familiar industry trajectory where “friends became foes.” He suggested that the animosity stemmed from others being “unhappy” for his success, leading to unprovoked lyrical shots. Despite the tension, Rocky clarified that he isn’t looking for a confrontation or a resolution. “It really ain’t smoke,” he stated, questioning why a reconciliation would even be necessary. “It’s for whoever feel like it’s about them.”
Upon the release of Don’t Be Dumb, the lyrical content of “Stole Ya Flow” left little to the imagination. Rocky taunts his adversary with the line, “First you stole my flow, so I stole yo b—h,” before asserting his contentment with his current life: “My baby mama Rihanna, so we unbothered.”
The history between Rihanna and Drake is well-documented, marked by years of dating rumors and public declarations of affection from Drake that were seemingly unrequited. By 2018, Rihanna told Vogue that she and the Toronto rapper no longer maintained a friendship. Since then, Rocky and Rihanna have built a life together, starting in 2020, while Drake appeared to take aim at the couple on his 2023 project, For All the Dogs.
Rocky’s new verses also include clever nods to Drake’s discography and recent internet memes. He references a “sensitive” individual who is “still in his feelings”—an apparent play on Drake’s 2018 chart-topper—and makes a jab about “BBLs,” likely nodding to the “BBL Drizzy” diss track that went viral during Drake’s feud with Kendrick Lamar.
This shift in dynamic marks a significant departure from 2013, when the two were collaborators on the hit “F–kin’ Problems.” However, Rocky has recently made it clear that his priorities have shifted. In a 2024 interview, he remarked that he had “bigger fish to fry” than engaging with “p—y boys” in the studio, emphasizing that he preferred to stay out of the crossfire of larger rap wars.
Check out the full discussion and listen to the track below.
