After wrapping up a successful 2013 while working on his sophomore album, A$AP Rocky kicks off his new year with his first spread for Teen Vogue.  The “F*cking Problems” rapper sat down with the magazine to describe how his life in the streets of Harlem, New York raised and trained him to be the charismatic artist that he is today.

After the tragic death of his older brother when he was just eight years old, Rakim Meyers used his brother’s encouraging words to pursue his rap career. Draped in the finest of fashions while posing with model Kyra Green, the 25 year-old rapper is choosing to use his experiences of growing up in a broken home and years of working through poverty to invest in his career. “Rappers get record deals and buy cars, or go to the clubs and make it rain,” says Rocky. “I used the money as an investment in my album.”

To peep the full article, pick up a copy of Teen Vogue available on newsstands today.