Joey Bada$$ For SSENSE; Talks His Calvin Klein Ad, Pro Era Clothing Line, Personal Style Evolving, Music & More

Rapper turned actor and Calvin Klein campaign star Joey Bada$$ is featured in the latest issue of SSENSE.

The shoot was lensed by Hannah Sider. Styling was courtesy of Von Ford.

Inside, the 21-year-old superstar and fashion trendsetter spoke to Kevin Pires about the convergence of music and fashion, his burgeoning acting career and much more. By the way, the Brooklyn-native mentioned that his second album is not coming this year.

Below are some excerpts:

Your Calvin Klein campaign rolled out two months ago now. How did that come about?

First off, it was a pleasure to be a part of the campaign. All the people from Calvin showed a lot of love. They told me I was picked because whoever was playing big boss of the whole campaign asked their son, “Which rapper should we get for the shoot?” And he was like, “Joey Bada$$!” Then another person on the other side—I guess from the agency—asked their son who they should get, and he was like, “Joey Bada$$!” So yeah, I mean, shit, I was just on it.

You’ve designed clothing in the past. Do you think you’ll ever return to that?

Oh yeah, for sure. I’m working on my own Pro Era line, on getting the brand to the next level, because I don’t view the Pro Era apparel as merch. I view it as a real deal clothing line, or at least as having the potential to turn into a real deal clothing line. I’ve been working on that—designing pieces, me and the team, you know, screengrabbing. [laughs]

Are there people in particular whose looks inspire you?

Not people, not really. I’m just into pieces. I’ll like something from Valentino, something from McQueen, something from Dior. Not because of the name, but because of the quality of the piece. I wouldn’t say it’s people that I look to for inspiration.

What are your thoughts about fashion and music coming together the way they have?

Back then, I rapped that from a different perspective. My thoughts on fashion and music coming together—you see, there are two things. There’s fashion and then there’s style. Fashion recently started coming into hip-hop, but style has always been predominant in hip-hop. The context behind that line was me wondering when worrying about labels became forefront for a hip-hop artist. You know what I’m saying? That’s what the context behind that line was. Present day, I think it’s good to mix it in. But I wouldn’t consider myself fashionable. I’d consider myself stylish.

How has your style evolved over the years?

Well, I make more money now, so I can afford my style. That’s how my style has evolved. [laughs]

What are you working on?

I’m working on multiple projects, actually. Working on a couple, maybe some EPs, some mixtapes. I’m just working on music. The second album is not coming this year, let’s get that out of the way. Just working on a lot of things right now.

Head over to SSENSE to read the interview in its entirety.