A$AP Rocky might have gone all "Rocky" on some guy in a NY clothing store, but he is adamant that he does not owe the guy a dime ... because the so-called beat down was in self-defense.

TMZ broke the story ... Shenick Alcine sued A$AP last year, claiming the rapper viciously attacked him after Shenick says he caught A$AP doing drugs inside the store. 

Now, A$AP is calling bulls**t. He filed docs in NY claiming Shenick is a liar who attacked HIM and any punches thrown were in self-defense. He's asking a judge toss the suit ... ASAP (yup, went there).

A$AP was arrested for assault and robbery after the melee -- not for punching Shenick -- but for allegedly beating up two photogs who were filming the incident and trying to steal their camera. He struck a plea deal in that case -- skating with a fine and three days community service.

Retail ... it's brutal.

A$AP Rocky must love white chicks, 'cause he pissed off Black women everywhere -- including model Toccara Jones and rapper Trina -- by saying dark-skinned girls have no biz wearing red lipstick.

A$AP dished his makeup tips to fashion and beauty blog The Coveteur, saying ... "I feel like with the red lipstick thing, it all depends on the pair of complexion. I’m just being for real. You have to be fair skinned to get away with that."

Jones -- a Season 3 vet of "America's Next Top Model" -- tells us, "His comments show he has self-hate. Doesn't he love himself? How do you make a comment like that when you’re brown yourself?"

Trina agrees ... saying A$AP doesn't know what he's talking about, because she's seen women of all shades "look beautiful in red lip wear."

Rap's 'Baddest Bitch' added A$AP can kiss something that needs no lipstick.

Okay, not really ... but that would've been awesome.

You'll recall, A$AP -- real name Rakim Mayers -- was arrested in July following a fight between the rapper and two amateur photogs, who had been filming Rocky while he was involved in an altercation with another person.

Now the guy who was being filmed has filed a lawsuit against Rocky, claiming he saw the rapper get high in the clothing store (using unspecified illegal drugs) ... and Rocky unleashed a ferocious beatdown.

The alleged victim -- Shenick Alcine -- claims Rocky noticed the two photogs filming him and then quickly re-directed his fury at them.

As we first reported, Rocky has already struck a plea deal in the photog-beating case -- pleading guilty to attempted grand larceny for trying to take their cameras. The assault and robbery charges were dropped.

Calls to Rocky's people weren't returned.

Rapper A$AP Rocky just pled guilty to attempted grand larceny in connection with a brawl that took place back in July in NYC -- between the rapper and two amateur photogs.

TMZ broke the story ... A$AP -- real name Rakim Mayers -- was arrested following the fight, during which A$AP allegedly attacked two men for snapping pics of him ... while he was involved in a verbal altercation with another person.

According to the complaint, A$AP attempted to grab the camera during the melee -- which is where the larceny charge comes from.

In addition to the larceny charge, A$AP was charged with attempted robbery in the 2nd degree and assault -- but the robbery and assault charges were dropped in exchange for A$AP's guilty plea. 

A$AP was sentenced to 3 days community service. He was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and stay out of trouble until his next court date in February.

Rapper A$AP Rocky insists he didn't try to rob the photogs who snapped pics of him last week -- pleading "not guilty" to 2nd degree robbery in NYC.

TMZ broke the story ... Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, was busted last Thursday with his rap crew buddy A$AP Bigga Bar$ after the two got into a scuffle with a couple amateur photographers -- and allegedly tried to take some kind of items from the guys.

Rocky and A$AP Bigga Bar$ -- real name Sheldon Jabari -- pled not guilty on Friday.

They both have a court date this Wednesday.

Rapper A$AP Rocky found himself in handcuffs PDQ after NYPD officers arrived on the scene of his street brawl ... and TMZ has the photos.

As TMZ first reported ... AR was busted after he got into a fight with two guys who were taking photos of him.

Cops slapped the cuffs on Rocky and another member of the hip hop crew A$AP Mob ... Sheldon Jabari, aka A$AP Bigga Bar$ -- who, for some reason, was shirtless at the time of the arrest.

Rocky and Bigga were both booked for 2nd degree robbery. Cops say they attempted to take items from the guys they were fighting.

Rapper A$AP Rocky was taken into NYPD custody tonight after he allegedly put the smackdown on 2 guys who took pics of him ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement sources ... A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, had gotten into a verbal dispute with someone in downtown Manhattan, when 2 civilians started snapping photos of the incident.

We're told A$AP and a friend quickly turned their attention to the amateur photogs ... and a full-fledged fight erupted. Our sources say the two victims suffered cuts and bruises with one requiring treatment at a hospital.

We're told responding officers arrested AR ... and he's expected to be booked for attempted robbery. It's unclear, at this point, what he's accused of trying to pilfer.

Rocky is a native New Yorker and member of the hip hop group A$AP Mob. He was nominated for Best New Artist at the BET Awards this year.