If you were scrolling through the internet back in 2013, you probably saw a photo that didn’t make any sense. It was A$AP Rocky—the Harlem fashion icon, the "Pretty Flacko" himself—appearing to be very, very comfortable with Kathy Griffin. Like, "resting his head on her chest while she looks like a proud, chaotic mother" comfortable.
It wasn't a glitch. It wasn't AI. It was a real cultural collision that feels like a fever dream now.
Most people assume it was just a quick PR stunt or a weird red carpet bit. Honestly? It was way more involved than that. It was a months-long, semi-ironic, semi-genuine flirtation that bridged the gap between the "A$AP Mob" world and the Bravo-reality-comedy circuit.
The Viral Video That Started the Fire
This whole saga didn't start in a green room. It started with a Noisey "Back & Forth" interview between A$AP Rocky and Danny Brown. During a heavy session of "would you rather," the two rappers started talking about older women.
Rocky admitted he had a thing for the "lady from Family Guy" (he meant Kathy Griffin, who he confusingly thought was the voice of Lois Griffin). Danny Brown was right there with him. They basically declared their love for her on camera, and the internet did its thing. It went viral.
Kathy, being the professional attention-seeker she is, didn't just ignore it. She thrived on it.
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From Twitter Jokes to the Bravo Set
Kathy Griffin actually saw the clip and brought it to her friend Anderson Cooper. On her talk show, simply titled Kathy, she played the footage and joked about being "flattered" by the rappers' interest.
"I'm in the A$AP Vixen Mob," she told reporters at the Grammys later that year. She wasn't kidding about the meet-up, though. In February 2013, she actually booked A$AP Rocky and Danny Brown on her show.
That episode was... wild.
- Rocky leaned his head on Kathy's breast during the segment.
- Danny Brown was cackling in the corner.
- They talked about ScHoolboy Q being jealous.
- Kathy joked about "pulling a train" with the A$AP Mob.
It was one of those moments in 2010s television where you couldn't tell if everyone was in on the joke or if the vibes were just that strange. Rocky looked genuinely high and genuinely amused. Kathy was in her element, playing the "vixen" role for laughs while actually holding her own with two of the most influential rappers of the era.
The Bel-Air "Back & Forth"
The peak of this weirdness wasn't even the talk show. It was when Noisey actually filmed a "Back & Forth" between just Kathy and Rocky at her home in Los Angeles.
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They sat on her furniture, traded insults, and talked about things that would probably get someone canceled today. Rocky called her the "First Lady of A$AP Mob." Kathy tried to learn his handshake. At one point, they joked about "roofying" each other. It was dark, chaotic, and oddly charming.
You’ve got to remember the context: 2013 was the era of "Long. Live. A$AP." Rocky was the coolest person on the planet. Kathy Griffin was the queen of the "D-List." Putting them together was like mixing vinegar and baking soda—it was bound to bubble over.
Why It Still Matters (Sorta)
Why are we still talking about this over a decade later?
Because it represents a time when celebrity culture was a little less guarded. Today, Rocky is a father, a partner to Rihanna, and a high-fashion mogul. Kathy has been through the literal wringer—the Trump photo scandal, cancer, losing her sister, and a massive career rebuild.
Seeing them together now feels like looking at a time capsule. It reminds us that before everything became so polarized and curated, you could have a Harlem rapper and a red-headed comedian flirting in a Bel-Air mansion just for the hell of it.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often think this was a "one-off" photo. It wasn't. They stayed in each other's orbits for a while. Rocky’s hype man, A$AP Nast (and even A$AP Ferg occasionally), were part of the joke. Kathy even mentioned that "Dash" (A$AP Dash) had been to her house.
The "A$AP Vixen Mob" wasn't just a throwaway line; it was a running bit that Kathy used to prove she still had "street cred" with the youth. Or at least, with the rappers who liked her brand of "I don't give a damn" energy.
Actionable Insights for the Pop Culture Obsessed
If you want to revisit this chaotic era, here is exactly what to look for:
- Watch the Noisey Back & Forth (Parts 1 & 2): This is the rawest footage. It's on YouTube and shows the actual chemistry (or lack thereof) between them.
- Find the "Kathy" Episode 206: This is the Bravo episode with Danny Brown. It’s hard to find on streaming, but clips exist on Getty and YouTube.
- Look for the 2013 Grammy Red Carpet interviews: This is where Kathy officially claimed her "Wavy" status.
The Kathy Griffin and A$AP Rocky era was a weird, brief blip in entertainment history, but it proved one thing: if you're funny enough (or "wavy" enough), the most unlikely pairings can actually work.
Check out the original Noisey clips if you want to see a pre-Rihanna Rocky just living his best, most confused life next to a comedy legend.