Accompanied by his and Rihanna’s look-alike sons, two-year-old RZA Athelston and 10-month-old Riot Rose, A$AP Rocky appears ever the proud dad in Bottega Veneta’s new Father’s Day campaign, which debuts today.
The black-and-white clip, titled “Portraits of Fatherhood, was shot by the acclaimed American artist Carrie Mae Weems and set to a tune scored by Rocky himself. In the footage, the rapper, RZA, and Riot pad around a comfortable living room, smashing on piano keys and blowing soap bubbles to the camera. This is A$AP’s second campaign for the Italian luxury label, following a paparazzi-style ad series last year.
“Riot Rose, like Axel Rose,” says Rocky in the clip, grinning as he balances his youngest son on his knee. Meanwhile, little RZA—who is somehow already old enough to walk (?!)—is rocking cornrows like his pops. (Not the first time they’ve matched, we might add.) Both Mayers boys are sporting Bottega-made “Best Dad” onesies, which means we may as well add the brand to our growing list of places for cool dads to buy stylish baby clothes while we’re at it.
For Bottega Veneta’s Matthieu Blazy, the campaign was an opportunity to work with one of his creative heroes. “I first encountered Carrie’s photography as a student,” the creative director said in an email. “I was deeply moved by its originality, engagement, and social impact. Over the years since, I have carried the power and importance of her work with me. I am honored that she has brought her lens and vision to this project with Rocky, exploring fatherhood and what it means today. The images show the realness of Rocky as a father and as a man beyond the public figure. What strikes me first and foremost in the pictures is their intimacy.”
Meanwhile, Rocky is reflecting on how fatherhood has changed his outlook. “It’s about putting a different lens on my life,” the rapper tells GQ via email. “It reflects my state of mind, my taste preferences. It feels mature.”
