5 Things You Didn't Know About 'In New York I Milly Rock'—The Viral Phrase Still Shaping Hip-Hop In 2025

The phrase "In New York I Milly Rock" is far more than just a catchy lyric; it’s a cultural timestamp, a battleground for intellectual property rights, and a defining moment in New York Hip-Hop history. As of late December 2025, this line—immortalized in A$AP Ferg’s 2017 hit "Plain Jane"—continues to generate buzz, especially with Ferg’s recent musical output and the enduring legacy of the dance itself. While most fans instantly associate the line with the Harlem rapper, the true, complex story involves a Brooklyn artist, a viral dance craze, and a landmark lawsuit that changed how the world views dance choreography.

This deep dive uncovers the true origins, the legal drama, and the 2025 status of the artists behind the iconic movement, proving why this simple line remains one of the most powerful cultural references in modern music.

A$AP Ferg: The Harlem Rapper Who Immortalized the Phrase

The global explosion of "In New York I Milly Rock" is largely credited to the man who delivered the line: A$AP Ferg. A key member of the influential A$AP Mob collective, Ferg has consistently pushed the boundaries of trap and hip-hop since his debut.

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• Full Name: Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr.
• Stage Name: FERG (formerly A$AP Ferg)
• Born: October 20, 1988
• Origin: Harlem, New York City
• Collective: A$AP Mob (alongside A$AP Rocky, A$AP Nast, etc.)
• Notable Albums: Trap Lord (2013), Always Strive and Prosper (2016)
• Recent Work: Released the project DAROLD in 2024, with new singles like "BIANCA (Extended)" and "WE ON GO II" (feat. Denzel Curry) dropping in 2025, signaling a renewed focus on his solo career under the new moniker FERG.
• Key Song: "Plain Jane" (2017), which features the line: "In New York I Milly Rock, hide it in my sock."

1. The Phrase Actually Belongs to a Different Artist: 2 Milly

The most crucial piece of trivia is that the "Milly Rock" dance and its original anthem were created by Brooklyn rapper 2 Milly (Terrence Ferguson).

The dance, a simple yet infectious two-step combined with swooping and twirling hand motions, originated in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn.

2 Milly released his song "Milly Rock" in 2014, and it quickly went viral, becoming a staple of New York street culture.

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A$AP Ferg’s inclusion of the line in "Plain Jane" was a nod to this existing, highly popular dance craze, effectively catapulting the local New York phenomenon onto the global stage in 2017. The line acts as a cultural bridge, paying homage to the dance's roots while introducing it to a massive new audience.

2. The Milly Rock Dance Sparked a Landmark Copyright Lawsuit

The cultural success of the Milly Rock led to a significant legal battle that has modern implications for artists and creators in 2025.

In 2018, 2 Milly filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, the creators of the wildly popular video game *Fortnite*, for using his dance as a purchasable in-game emote called "Swipe It."

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This was a landmark case, as it was one of the first high-profile attempts by a creator to claim intellectual property rights over a viral dance move. The core legal argument centered on whether short, simple dance choreographies could be protected under copyright law.

While the case brought worldwide attention to the issue of cultural appropriation and IP theft in the digital age, 2 Milly ultimately dropped the lawsuit in 2019. However, the legal pressure he and other artists applied led to a major shift: Epic Games and other companies are now much more cautious, often seeking licensing deals or giving credit to creators for dance emotes.

3. A$AP Ferg’s "Plain Jane" is Still Driving His Career in 2025

Despite being released in 2017 on the mixtape *Still Striving*, "Plain Jane" and its iconic line remain a cornerstone of A$AP Ferg’s live performances in the mid-2020s.

The song’s enduring popularity—which saw it go double platinum—ensures its inclusion in setlists for his major concert appearances, such as a recently announced performance in Dubai for 2025/2026.

This longevity is a testament to the power of the Milly Rock reference, which acts as a massive crowd-pleaser and a direct cultural link to New York's Hip-Hop royalty. The track's continued success helped solidify Ferg's decision to rebrand slightly to just FERG, allowing him to launch his 2024 album *DAROLD* with the foundational support of his biggest hits.

4. The Milly Rock Is Part of a Larger New York Dance Legacy

The "Milly Rock" is not an isolated phenomenon; it belongs to a rich lineage of Hip-Hop dance styles originating from New York City, a culture that is still vibrant and evolving in 2025.

The dance is a precursor to—and shares cultural DNA with—newer viral New York dance trends like "Getting Sturdy," which also involves complex footwork and arm movements.

The Milly Rock’s popularity transcended the Hip-Hop world, becoming a common celebration move for athletes in the NFL and NBA, cementing its status as a piece of universal pop culture.

In 2024, New York City continues to celebrate this legacy, with events like the annual New York Dance Parade showcasing the roots of Hip-Hop dance, from the Bronx to Brooklyn, proving the Milly Rock's influence is still palpable.

5. The Line is a Direct Reference to New York Street Hustle

Beyond the dance, the full lyric, "In New York I Milly Rock, hide it in my sock," provides a deeper, grittier context.

The "Milly Rock" motion—the quick whip from side to side—can be interpreted as a literal movement from the dance, but the "hide it in my sock" line is a direct reference to street culture.

It refers to the act of concealing money, drugs, or a weapon in one's sock—a common practice in the streets of New York to avoid being caught by police or rivals. By pairing the popular, joyful dance with the stark reality of the "hustle," A$AP Ferg creates a powerful juxtaposition that captures the duality of New York life: the fun of the culture alongside the necessity of survival.

This dual meaning is what gives the phrase its enduring power, making it a favorite line for fans who appreciate both the party anthem and the authentic street narrative.

The Enduring Cultural Entities of the Milly Rock Movement

The story of "In New York I Milly Rock" is a complex tapestry woven from multiple cultural entities, all of which remain relevant in the current hip-hop landscape:

• A$AP Mob: The collective that gave A$AP Ferg his platform.
• Harlem: Ferg’s home borough, one of the epicenters of Hip-Hop.
• Brooklyn (Bed-Stuy): The birthplace of the original Milly Rock dance.
• 2 Milly (Terrence Ferguson): The creator of the dance and the original song.
• Plain Jane: A$AP Ferg’s 2017 hit that popularized the phrase globally.
• Still Striving: Ferg's mixtape featuring "Plain Jane."
• DAROLD: Ferg's 2024 album, marking his continued evolution.
• Fortnite: The video game that sparked the major dance copyright lawsuit.
• Epic Games: The developer sued by 2 Milly.
• The Sturdy Dance: A subsequent New York dance trend influenced by the Milly Rock.
• Trap Lord: Ferg's highly influential debut album.
• A$AP Rocky: Ferg's frequent collaborator and A$AP Mob leader.
• Viral Dance Trends: The broader cultural phenomenon the Milly Rock belongs to.
• Hip-Hop Choreography: The legal concept at the heart of the lawsuit.
• Nicki Minaj: Featured on a popular "Plain Jane" remix.