Does ASAP Rocky Not Eat Meat? A Look at His Vegan Journey

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

Back in 2012, A$AP Rocky first publicly revealed he had cut meat from his diet, telling Complex that he had become a pescetarian. This was the beginning of a public and evolving journey towards a plant-based lifestyle that would eventually see him become a full vegan, definitively answering the question, 'Does ASAP Rocky not eat meat?'.

Quick Summary

The rapper A$AP Rocky transitioned from pescetarian to vegetarian and finally to veganism, a lifestyle choice he publicly confirmed in 2019 through his music. His dietary changes were motivated by health concerns and animal welfare issues, specifically mentioning the poultry industry.

Key Points

Veganism Confirmed: A$AP Rocky publicly confirmed he is vegan in his 2019 song "Babushka Boi".
Pescetarian Origins: His dietary changes began around 2012 when he became a pescetarian, excluding red meat and poultry.
Vegetarian Phase: By 2013, he had progressed to a vegetarian diet, cutting out fish as well.
Ethical Reasons: He was motivated by his research into the cruelty of the factory farming industry.
Health and Wellness: Rocky cited health and a desire to "clean" his mind and body as further reasons for his plant-based lifestyle.
Inspiration from his Manager: His vegan manager helped guide him in his dietary transition during his touring.
Skepticism Overcome: Despite initial hesitations and family conflicts over food, he fully embraced veganism.

A$AP Rocky's Dietary Evolution

A$AP Rocky's dietary path has been a progression marked by a deepening commitment to animal welfare and personal health. The rapper's food choices have not only changed over time but have also been referenced in his music, showcasing his public dedication to the lifestyle. This journey debunks any confusion over the question, 'Does ASAP Rocky not eat meat?'

The Early Stages: Pescetarianism and Health Concerns

Around 2012, A$AP Rocky initially cut out red meat and poultry, adopting a pescetarian diet that still included fish. This shift wasn't a casual decision but was based on research into the meat industry. In interviews with publications like Complex and Vibe, he expressed significant disgust after learning about the mistreatment of animals in factory farms. He noted that the use of steroids and drugs to enhance animal growth was both unethical and unhealthy for human consumption, stating, “That kind of food going into your body is unhealthy”.

A Deeper Commitment: Transitioning to Vegetarianism

As his awareness grew, so did his dietary restrictions. By 2013, Rocky had eliminated fish as well, becoming a vegetarian. He told Grub Street that his meat-free diet sometimes made social gatherings like Thanksgiving difficult for his family. His dedication was further reinforced by the influence of his vegan manager, who helped him navigate a vegetarian lifestyle, particularly while on tour. This period represented a more profound commitment to animal welfare, moving beyond just health considerations to include ethical ones.

The Final Step: Committing to Veganism

The most significant public declaration came in 2019 with the release of his single "Babushka Boi". The lyric, "I ain't duck sauce since I became a vegan," served as a clear and public announcement of his adoption of a fully vegan lifestyle, completely cutting out all animal products, including dairy and eggs. The accompanying music video, which portrays police officers as pigs, also included symbolism hinting at his views on animal rights. This final transition from vegetarian to vegan was a natural conclusion to his ethical awakening and health-conscious decisions.

Ethical and Health Motivations

Animal Welfare

Rocky's journey was largely fueled by his growing concerns over animal cruelty in the farming industry. His interviews revealed a specific revulsion towards the treatment of chickens and the stress they endure before being slaughtered. The graphic nature of this knowledge was a major catalyst for his decision to stop consuming meat altogether.

Health and Wellness

Alongside his ethical awakening, A$AP Rocky also expressed that his dietary changes were about cleansing his mind, body, and soul. By eliminating the processed and unhealthy aspects of a meat-heavy diet, he aimed to improve his overall well-being. This focus on health aligns with a broader trend among celebrities and the public towards plant-based diets for their potential wellness benefits.

ASAP Rocky's Diet: Then vs. Now


Aspect	Circa 2012 (Pescetarian)	Circa 2013 (Vegetarian)	Circa 2019 (Vegan)
Meat	No red meat or poultry	No meat or poultry	No meat of any kind
Fish	Yes	No	No
Dairy	Yes	Yes	No
Eggs	Yes	Yes	No
Motivation	Primarily health and animal welfare concerns	Growing ethical concerns about all animal meat	Full commitment to health and animal ethics
Source	Interviews with publications like Complex	Interviews with Grub Street and others	Lyrics from "Babushka Boi"

List of Other Vegan and Vegetarian Hip-Hop Artists

A$AP Rocky is not alone in the hip-hop community in adopting a plant-based diet. A growing number of artists are embracing veganism for health, ethical, and spiritual reasons. Some notable examples include:

RZA (Wu-Tang Clan): A long-time advocate for animal rights and veganism, he has been vegan for over two decades and inspired many within the Wu-Tang Clan to adopt similar diets.
Jermaine Dupri: Became vegan for his health nearly two decades ago and has since launched a vegan ice cream brand.
Will.i.am: Switched to a plant-based diet in 2017 after experiencing high blood pressure and cholesterol issues.
Erykah Badu: Follows a vegan lifestyle and emphasizes healthy, plant-based foods.

This movement within hip-hop showcases a larger cultural shift towards more mindful and health-conscious lifestyles.

Conclusion: From Skeptic to Advocate

A$AP Rocky's journey from a pescetarian with some reservations to a fully committed vegan is a powerful example of how personal research and ethical awakening can transform one's lifestyle. He not only stopped consuming meat but also used his platform to advocate for animal rights and healthier living, influencing his fans and contributing to a growing movement within the music industry. So, to finally answer the question, does ASAP Rocky not eat meat? No, he does not. In fact, he has gone a step further to eliminate all animal products from his diet and has become a prominent vegan figure in pop culture.

Want to read more about his diet and how it fits into his health goals? Find out more about A$AP Rocky's evolving lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, A$AP Rocky has been a committed vegan since at least 2019, when he publicly announced the change through his song "Babushka Boi".

A$AP Rocky first began to stop eating meat around 2012 when he became a pescetarian. He later transitioned to a vegetarian and eventually a vegan diet.

His decision was based on both ethical and health reasons. He was particularly disturbed by the treatment of animals in factory farming and felt that a plant-based diet was healthier for his mind, body, and soul.

He famously announced his vegan lifestyle through a lyric in his 2019 single "Babushka Boi," where he rapped, "I ain't duck sauce since I became a vegan".

Yes, A$AP Rocky progressed from being a pescetarian (eating fish) around 2012 to a vegetarian (no meat or fish) by 2013, and finally to a full vegan by 2019.

Early on, he noted that his family found his dietary restrictions challenging during holidays like Thanksgiving, but he remained committed to his choices.

Yes, A$AP Rocky is part of a growing movement of vegan and vegetarian artists in hip-hop. Other notable examples include RZA, Jermaine Dupri, and Will.i.am.