What to know
- FERG was in Toronto this week to perform at Wingstop Canada’s House of Flavour festival at Stanley Barracks.
- The Harlem rapper says excitement around the Knicks’ championship run has New York “on fire right now.”
- FERG praised Toronto’s multicultural culture and food scene, saying he feels like “a fellow Torontonian.”
- He also revealed he’s working on a new album, artwork projects and plans to release a movie he shot last year.
As New York basketball fans count down to what could be a historic weekend, Harlem rapper FERG was in Toronto this week bringing his own brand of energy to the city.
The rapper took the stage at Exhibition Place’s Stanley Barracks on Thursday night, part of restaurant chain Wingstop Canada’s free summer of soccer pop-up, House of Flavour.
But before FERG (previously known as A$AP Ferg) delivered iconic hits like “Work REMIX,” “Shabba,” “Plain Jane,” and “New Level,” to Toronto fans, Now Toronto got a chance to catch up with him to get his take on everything from the New York Knicks’ championship hopes to Toronto’s world-renowned food scene.
‘Everybody’s emotions is in the air right now’: FERG says a Knicks title is a long time coming
As the Knicks sit just one win away from capturing their first NBA title in more than 50 years, FERG admitted the anticipation back home is all the way up.
“We deserve it as a city, and I’m just excited, like the city is on fire right now — literally,” he said.
With Game 5 set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. the rapper said New Yorkers are fully invested in the team’s long sought-after championship pursuit.
The heightened emotions have spilled into the streets in recent days, with celebrations following the Game 4 comeback resulting in dozens of fans being arrested and several injured officers. FERG denounced the incidents, but admitted sports fans can let their passion get the best of them every now and then.
“Everybody’s emotions is in the air right now,” he explained. “I don’t condone any of that… but people do get in their emotions about sports, and you know, their favourite teams, so it happens.”
Having spent the majority of his time in The Big Apple over the last few months (in fact, this trip to the 6ix is the first time he’s been outside of his hometown in a while), the rapper remained optimistic about the mood in New York regardless of how the series ultimately unfolds.
“Just the fact that we got this far, and just the state of New York… it’s just been a vibe,” he said. “I think it’s going to be great. Regardless, whether we win or whether we lose, we’re still winners.”
‘I feel like a fellow Torontonian’: Why FERG fits so seamlessly in the city
While NYC will forever hold the dearest place in his heart, Toronto is a city FERG has long appreciated.
He praised the city’s multicultural makeup, reminiscent of back home, noting that few places offer the same blend of cultures and communities.
And that diversity is especially evident in Toronto’s food scene, which FERG said continues to impress him whenever he visits. Among his favourites are the city’s Chinese and Jamaican restaurants, though he regretfully couldn’t name drop the spots.
“I don’t remember the name of it. Don’t ask me,” he laughed. “The food was bussin’, the Chinese food was bussin’, Jamaican food – all of it was bussin’!”
As the product of two Trinidadian immigrants, the conversation naturally turned to Caribbean food, where FERG revealed his favourite homeland eats. Out of some of the island’s vast array of delicacies, from doubles to pholourie to curry goat, only one, he says, hits every single time — bake and shark.
“I like sandwiches,” he said plainly. “The last time I was in Trinidad, I was staying at my grandfather’s house. There’s a little bar on a corner, and I was eating bake and shark every day — with the pepper sauce.”
More than anything, FERG said Toronto’s openness is something that continues to draw him back, adding that he’s been to the 6ix more times than he can count.
“Toronto has been a place that, you know, when y’all had y’all [NBA] Finals, y’all called me to come perform halftime,” he said reflectively. “I’m from New York so I feel like a fellow Torontonian… I just love the embracing, and I just love that I get to perform in front of many cultures and do dope stuff like this.”
First time performing at a food festival, but hopefully not the last
Food remains a passion for the rapper despite significant changes to his diet. FERG said he now follows a vegetarian lifestyle.
While food was certainly part of the experience, FERG said the opportunity to perform at House of Flavour was the real highlight.
As for what’s next, the rapper said fans can stay tuned for a little bit of everything coming their way. Fresh off the release of 2025 project Flip Phone Shorty and DAROLD just one year prior, he says music is still on the way while also hinting at upcoming ventures beyond the studio.
“I’m working on an album right now, working on artwork. I shot a movie last year, so we’re working on putting that into different places or festivals,” he explained. “More music, more art, more creativity, more curation. Just gotta wait and see.”
Wingstop Canada’s free activation House of Flavour is on for two final days at Stanley Barracks, opening daily on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m. until late.
