Latest news with #A$APMob
New York Post
08-08-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Wealthy New Yorkers say Amex Black Cards have lost their cache
Have credit cards lost their cache? A few years ago, whipping out an Amex Black Card was the ultimate status symbol — so much so that the hip hop collective A$AP Mob even wrote an entire song about it. But that was 2017. Now? It's all about practicality, not ego. A wealthy subset tell me they are increasingly choosing cards that either offer a suite of banking features — like the Chase Sapphire Reserve — or act as your dream assistant that can get you into Le Veau d'Or and plan your entire trip to San Sebastian — like Atlas. Advertisement 4 Credit cards like Atlas can get customers reservations at the toughest doors like Le Veau d'Or. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post While companies like American Express and Capital One don't break out the numbers for the cards targeted at high-net worth clients, it is clearly still an alluring space for companies. Popular trading app Robinhood unveiled a limited edition 10-karat gold card last year. Amex Platinum, Citi Strata Elite, and Capital One Venture X, have also invested in heavier metal cards that have more weight and gravitas than the plastic 'starter credit card' you get in college. But the cool factor just isn't there any more. People tell me high-end credit cards aren't a signal of wealth the way they used to be. (That's what Instagram is for) Advertisement 4 Popular trading app Robinhood unveiled a limited edition 10-karat gold card last year. Part of it has to do with the fact that people aren't pulling cards out of their wallets as much due to the rise of alternative payment methods like Apple Pay. A growing number of restaurants are even sending customers a link where they can pay the tab online and of course everyone is online shopping. The other reality many people are realizing is it's no good to whip out a black (or gold) card if you're eating at a second-rate restaurant. And that is where other companies are trying to swoop in to win over consumers. Advertisement Atlas has developed a devoted following of yuppy types since its launch in 2019. CEO Patrick Mrozowski told me that he believes that people are choosing his card because he provides a valuable service. 4 A black card had so much cache that A$AP Rocky and the A$AP Mob wrote an entire song devoted to it. Getty Images for MTV 'We are a concierge company first and a credit card company second,' he said. 'We've been focused on building an amazing concierge service, hiring the best travel agents, and building personal relationships with restaurants.' Those relationships have resulted in members getting some of the most competitive reservations in the city, like The Corner Store. Advertisement This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Other cards, like the Centurion, do provide perks — complimentary hotel and airline upgrades, free access to airport lounges, a club in New York City, the promise of aspiration reservations, and annual credits at Saks Fifth Avenue — but not typically at the level of Atlas. Meanwhile, the Bilt Rewards card has distinguished itself by emphasizing community engagement over traditional credit card offerings and has partnerships with local restaurants like Delmonico's and fitness studios like SoulCycle. Another trend that is complicating things for high-end credit card companies is the fact that big spenders are spreading out purchases between multiple cards. 4 Consumers are opting to use cards that are more specific to the purchases they are making. Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Zach Perrett, the CEO Of Plaid, which provides technology to help connect bank accounts to fintech apps for over half of banked Americans, told me he is seeing people using half a dozen cards. 'People are connecting four or five, six or seven credit cards into a budgeting application,' Perret told me. 'Some of this is because you want to spend money on the card that is relevant to the thing that you're purchasing — let's say you have a Delta card, you want to put your travel on your Delta card.' Advertisement One person who recently canceled his black card and is now splitting purchases between a Delta card, a Chase sapphire card and a handful of other cards said it was like paying for a club you never use. 'The only benefit was the airport lounges, but now those have fallen off a cliff … I never used any of the other benefits they touted like personal shopping,' he explained. 'I paid more for this than most of my private club memberships in the city — I couldn't justify it anymore.'
FACT
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
A$AP Rocky and Ray-Ban launch the Blacked-Out Collection
This marks the brand's first appointment of a Creative Director. Fashion and music come together with a cool collaboration. American rapper A$AP Rocky and the sunglasses brand Ray-Ban have launched the Blacked-Out Collection, which is available now. Ray-Ban has appointed A$AP Rocky as its first-ever Creative Director. He is famous for his influence in the music and fashion industries. Now, he is bringing his vision to Ray-Ban with the Blacked-Out Collection. Born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, A$AP Rocky is a rapper, record producer and fashion icon. He rose to fame as part of the Harlem-based collective A$AP Mob. His critically acclaimed 2011 mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, propelled him to mainstream recognition. His debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP was released in 2013. Now, Rihanna's beau is gearing up to release his fourth studio album, Don't Be Dumb. A$AP Rocky explained: 'I've always admired Ray-Ban's ability to stay true to its roots while constantly evolving. I'm excited to be part of the strong heritage and develop the next chapter for an iconic brand like Ray-Ban.' Ray-Ban President, Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, added: 'Ray-Ban transcends the eyewear industry; it's not just a brand, it's a lifestyle. For nearly 80 years the brand has been on the faces of the most iconic musicians, artists, actors and heroes – shaping and re-shaping the status quo, leading cultural revolutions of all the times. 'Today, we are welcoming A$AP Rocky into our family; he's a visionary artist and creator. His ability to push the boundaries of the diverse worlds he explores, aligns with the Ray-Ban DNA. We are reinforcing the brand's values of innovation, pioneering spirit, and courage. Let the future begin!' Check in with FACT for the latest fashion news. GO: Visit for more information.
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
A$AP Rocky's explosive Rolling Loud performance sparks rap beef debate
A$AP Rocky made headlines at Rolling Loud California 2025, delivering a fiery performance that included direct shots at rap rivals and former A$AP Mob associate, A$AP Relli. During his set, the Harlem rapper debuted a new track featuring pointed lyrics that seemingly addressed the ongoing Big 3 rap beef involving Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. Rocky rapped, "I ain't on J. Cole, I ain't on Drake, I ain't on Kendrick side / I choose homicide, they gon' see a different side," making it clear he's staying neutral while embracing an aggressive stance. Another line, "N****s do the most when they irrelevant / Claiming A$AP, but we were never friends," appeared to target A$AP Relli, who previously filed a lawsuit against Rocky. Adding to the hype, Rocky reunited with UK grime legend Skepta to perform their 2018 hit "Praise The Lord (Da Shine)," which fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) hailed as the "Greatest USA X UK collaboration of all time." The viral moment sparked fan reactions, with users calling Rocky "the king of Rolling Loud" and demanding the track be recognized as an anthem. Skepta's presence further intensified the conversation, as he played a pivotal role in bringing UK grime to the global stage. With hip-hop's biggest names engaged in lyrical warfare, A$AP Rocky's latest performance proves he's still a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
A$AP Rocky's accuser pushes civil lawsuit forward despite not guilty verdict
A$AP Rocky may have been acquitted in his criminal trial, but his legal battle isn't over yet. His accuser, A$AP Relli (real name Terell Ephron), is proceeding with his civil lawsuit against the rapper, claiming assault and battery over a 2021 incident. According to Rolling Stone, Relli's attorney, Melissa Mikail, confirmed during a court hearing that the lawsuit, originally filed in August 2022, will continue. A judge has now lifted the stay on the case and scheduled a trial date for January 12, 2026. 'The standard in a criminal case is much higher than the preponderance of the evidence standard in a civil matter,' Mikail stated. 'We still believe that our claims have merit, and we intend on fully litigating them.' Rocky's attorney, James Sargent, dismissed the lawsuit, arguing that the jury's unanimous not-guilty verdict in the criminal trial should put an end to the matter. 'There's no longer a basis for them,' he told the judge. 'Mr. Ephron testified in the criminal case, and the jury's acquittal speaks volumes.' Speaking outside the courtroom, Sargent made it clear they have no plans to settle, saying, 'We look forward to full vindication.' Relli, who has faced backlash online for continuing the case, remained defiant in a statement on Instagram. 'Gossiping is a form of entertainment for people who have no meaningful goals or purpose in life,' he wrote. 'Hate me, bring shame to my name, say bad things about me—I don't care.' A$AP Mob members and other public figures have mocked Relli since Rocky's acquittal, with 50 Cent calling him 'A$AP Telli' and A$AP Ant posting, 'Stupid fool really turnt rat' alongside an image of Relli testifying in court. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 28.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Joe Tacopina Won A$AP Rocky's Felony Assault Trial
Joe Tacopina, the attorney behind A$AP Rocky's not-guilty verdict in his felony shooting trial, has revealed the factors that led to him and his client beating the case. Tacopina recently appeared on The Breakfast Club to break down key elements of the defense's strategy in proving Rocky's innocence, and the plaintiff's, A$AP Relli, lies and deception. During the interview, the lawyer explained he and Rocky's reasoning behind taking the case to trial and not accepting a plea agreement with the state, given his client potentially facing upwards of 20 years in prison. 'Rocky and I had a one-minute conversation' Tacopina said regarding their rejection of the prosecution's proposed plea deal, which included a seven year suspended prison sentence and five years of supervised probation. Furthermore, the attorney said he and his client balked at the deal due to it requiring him to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit, adding that accepting the plea would've been a 'career-ender' for the rap star. 'He maintained his innocence from the minute I met him three years ago,' Tacopina said of Rocky, who admitted to firing a prop gun, but not an actual fire arm as Relli initially alleged. The lawyer revealed that his gameplan to was to 'eviscerate' 'ASAP Relli, deeming the former ASAP Mob member a 'pathological liar' who lied to the jury in multiple instances, thus commiting perjury. He joked that ASAP Relli was 'the worst witness in the history of jurisprudence,' pointing to his conduct on the stand during his testimony and the various holes in his recollection of key events. This includes lying about never having fired a gun prior to the day of the alleged shooting, despite the defense producing video evidence proving the contrary during cross examination. Tacopina also pointed to the plantiff's claim that he found the shell casings allegedly fired from Rocky's gun at the scene following the incident, despite authorities failing to find evidence of a shooting after canvassing the area, as further proof of his seeming lunacy. The lawyer asserted that Relli should be 'prosecuted for extortion,' as he argues that a potential payout was the alleged victim's motivation for pursuing charges against Rocky. This theory was in reference to the $30 million civil suit Relli filed against his former crewmate in September 2023. On Feb. 18, A$AP Rocky was found not guilty of all charges, a moment that was followed by a celebration with his girlfriend, music star Rihanna, as well as Tacopina, with whom he shared a heartfelt embrace with in the wake of the verdict. The hitmaker, who hails from New York City, faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Rocky has publicly expressed his appreciation for Tacopina's service, affectionately deeming his an honorary member of the A$AP Mob moving forward. More from A$AP Rocky Named As Ray-Ban's First-Ever Creative Director Young Thug Calls For Pooh Shiesty's Release From Prison Following A$AP Rocky Verdict A$AP Rocky Found Not Guilty In Gun Assault Trial: "Thank Y'all For Saving My Life"
