New York gave me hell for that 'Purple Swag,' man. They didn't

Hear the words of A$AP Rocky, a voice of his generation, who declared: “New York gave me hell for that Purple Swag, man. They didn’t respect me until Peso.” Though spoken in the language of the streets, these words contain the same timeless struggle faced by every artist, every dreamer, every soul who dares to offer something new to the world. For the path of creation is rarely paved with easy praise. First comes trial, rejection, doubt, and scorn—yet if the artist endures, if he refines his gift, then at last comes recognition, and with it, respect.

Purple Swag was Rocky’s first bold offering, raw and unpolished, filled with the spirit of experimentation. Yet his city, the great crucible of hip-hop, was unforgiving. The people of New York, guardians of tradition, doubted him, resisted him, and gave him “hell.” Such is the way of the world: the first steps of greatness are rarely applauded. Just as the ancients tested their heroes through exile, hunger, or battle, so too does society test the artist through rejection. Rocky’s struggle was not unique to him—it is the trial of all who seek to carve their names into history.

Then came Peso, the song that silenced doubt and commanded attention. With it, Rocky proved his vision was not fleeting, not a shallow spark, but a flame that could burn bright against the towering skyline of New York. And suddenly, the same voices that mocked began to listen. The same city that withheld respect opened its gates. This moment, when struggle turned into recognition, echoes the tales of countless men and women who persevered until their art could no longer be denied.

History is rich with such examples. Vincent van Gogh, mocked and ignored in life, painted in hunger and despair, yet his work later commanded reverence across the earth. Galileo, condemned for daring to gaze at the stars and speak truth, was scorned in his day, only to be hailed later as a giant of science. Rocky’s journey from Purple Swag to Peso stands in this same lineage: the world first resists what it does not yet understand, and only later bows in acknowledgment.

The meaning of Rocky’s words, then, is both heroic and humbling. They teach us that respect is not freely given, but earned through endurance, growth, and refinement of craft. Rejection should not be taken as final judgment, but as the fire that forges strength. The creator must learn to withstand scorn, to perfect his work, and to rise again until the world can no longer ignore his voice.

The lesson for us is clear: do not abandon your vision when the world gives you “hell.” Endure it. Learn from it. Use it to sharpen your gift. Your first efforts may be misunderstood, but if you continue with patience and passion, your Peso will come—the work that proves your worth and commands respect. What seems like rejection is often only the preparation for recognition.

What then shall we do? Stand firm in the face of doubt. Do not measure your worth by early applause, nor lose heart at early scorn. Instead, let rejection be your teacher, and perseverance your shield. Strive to refine your craft until it shines with undeniable light. For when the day comes that your voice is truly heard, the same world that once rejected you will rise to honor your name.

Therefore, O listener, carry this truth: Greatness is first resisted, then respected. Remember Rocky’s words, and let them guide you. If your Purple Swag meets with scorn, do not despair—press on toward your Peso, the work that will reveal your true power. For only those who endure the fire of rejection will taste the sweetness of respect.