Last week, BAPE held their 10-year anniversary party in New York City. Along with the festivities, the Japanese brand released a special set of collaborations with 10 of the most influential artists, tastemakers and brands in the hip-hop industry. Among those collaborators is Houston rapper and Hustle Gang representative, Travi$ Scott.

Scott's recent collab with BAPE marks his first project with the popular streetwear brand. His collection with A Bathing Ape consists of three pieces: a shark hoodie, long sleeve tee and t-shirt. Having been fully involved in the design of the shirt, Scott added a touch of "La Flame" on the ape logo head to give it his signature appeal.

With La Flame's collaboration with BAPE dropping worldwide this past weekend at select BAPE retailers, XXL chopped it up with Travi$ about his collaboration, the importance of BAPE and his upcoming Rodeo album. —Roger Krastz

XXL: What's the importance of the BAPE brand for you?
Travi$ Scott: It's super important for me. I feel like it's one of these brands that drives rap, drives hip-hop, it drives our lyrics. We as rappers talk about it all the time. It's just very important for the culture.

How did the talks between you BAPE start for this collab?
Me and Matt been messing with each other since I went to Japan. I went to BAPELAND. I watched BAPELAND. We hung out. He came to a couple of shows and it was very organic, man. I've always been a fan of the brand. I've bought a lot of BAPE from this store.

I see you incorporated the flame to your design.
Yeah, me and my guys that I do a lot of designs with wanted to keep our aesthetics on the collab. We just kind of brainstormed on what we wanted and that's pretty much how we came across it.

Bape collab shirt
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Should we expect another collab between you and BAPE?
Yeah, in the future. Hopefully we can do more, but definitely we've been working on other shit.

You've worked with other clothing brands in the past on collaborations, but what do you think is the main element needed for a good collab between an artist and a brand?
A good relationship is definitely needed. It has to be organic. Like, you really got to know about what you collabing with. You just can't do it off of hype or just because you fucking with it this year. It really has to be something that you familiar with because that's when you have the best collaboration.

I know you'll be dropping your album Rodeo later this year. Is there an official date for it?
I have no date as of now, but just know that it's coming and when I do put it out I'm putting it out. I'm doing my album a different way than any other rapper this year. That's the best I can say.

You're one of the best to do it when it comes to rocking out on stage. Why do you feel like so many people rave about your shows?
I don't know why, but I feel like it's part of my music. I just try to bring my music alive on stage. That's my goal. I feel like every rapper's goal should be that.

Related: Pusha T Calls BAPE the Greatest Streetwear Brand of All Time
BAPE Celebrates Ten Year Anniversary with Travi$ Scott and Pusha T
A Bathing Ape Presents Bape Black Collection
Listen to Major Lazer Feat. Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Travi$ Scott and Mad Cobra, “Night Riders”
Travi$ Scott and Young Thug Bring Out Kanye West in L.A.

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