Rapper asap biography

American rapper (born 1988)

Not to be confused with Aesop Rock.

Rakim Athelaston Mayers (born October 3, 1988), known professionally as ASAP Rocky (AY-sap; stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper. Born and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his musical career as a member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. In August 2011, Mayers' single "Peso" was leaked online, and within weeks, began receiving radio airplay. He signed with Polo Grounds Music, an imprint of RCA Records in October of that year, and shortly after, released his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP (2011) to widespread critical acclaim.

Mayers' 2012 single, "Fuckin' Problems" (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar), marked his first entry—at number eight—on the Billboard Hot 100, received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, and preceded his debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP (2013). Met with critical and commercial success, it debuted atop Billboard 200 and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, At. Long. Last. A$AP (2015), also debuted atop the chart and saw continued critical praise; its single, "L$D", earned a nomination for Best Music Video at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. His third album, Testing (2018), peaked within the top five of the Billboard 200, while his fourth album, Don't Be Dumb, is scheduled for release in 2025.

Mayers has won a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award Japan and an MTVU Woodie Award. His nominations include two Grammy Awards, six World Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards. Furthermore, Mayers has worked in music video direction, as well as production or co-writing for other artists, often under the pseudonym Lord Flacko.

Early lif

“I would not consider myself to be a quote unquote real New York rapper,” ASAP Rocky said in an interview [with the New York Times]. “I don’t even like New York rappers.”

A$AP Rocky (born Rakim Mayers, October 3, 1988)

A$AP Rocky: Childhood

A$AP Rocky was born in Harlem, New York City and brought up around Manhattan, including living in a shelter with his mother, before moving to Elmwood Park, New Jersey. His father was jailed for drug offences when he was 12.

His brother was killed near his apartment when he was 13. This experience and his growing up made him want to go into rapping as a career.

He started rapping at 8-years-old, inspired by the likes of The Diplomats, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Run DMC and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

A$AP Rocky: Musical career

A$AP Rocky was part of a hip hop collective in 2007 called the A$AP Mob. The acronym has a variety of meanings including 'Always Strive and Prosper', 'Assassinating Snitches and Police' and 'Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose'.

In 2011, a compilation of his YouTube hits entitled 'Deep Purple' was released by a Parisian fan. Soon afterwards, his single 'Peso' was leaked and ended up hitting the Hot 97 New York radio station as well as charting on the US R&B chart.

He was approached by various record labels after unveiling a music video for his track 'Purple Swag' and soon released debut mixtape 'Live. Love. ASAP' which got him signed with RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music.

“Live Love ASAP,” his forthcoming debut mixtape, is placeless and universal, an album that sounds as if it has ingested the last 20 years of hip-hop’s travels and would be comfortable anywhere. There’s chewy, slowed-down homages to Houston, flow patterns reminiscent of Cleveland’s Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, nods to New Orleans and Atlanta and the Bay Area and everywhere else hip-hop is made. Almost everywhere but New York, it seems. 

The old New York, that is. On “Live Love ASAP,” New York has a n

American hip hop collective

ASAP Mob (stylized as A$AP Mob) is an American hip-hop collective formed in 2006 in Harlem, New York City, that consists of rappers (most of whom carry the "ASAP" moniker; except Chynna and Playboi Carti), record producers, music video directors, and fashion designers.

In August 2012, the collective released the mixtape Lords Never Worry. They released the single "Trillmatic" in December 2013, followed by their debut studio album, Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends, in October 2016 and second studio album Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy in August 2017.

History

Formation and early beginnings (2006–2012)

In 2006, Steven Rodriguez, professionally known as ASAP Yams, formed the collective with fellow New Yorkers ASAP Bari and ASAP Illz.Harlem rapper ASAP Rocky joined later. The "ASAP" name was always understood as the familiar acronym for "as soon as possible", but it has also been explained as a backronym for other ideas including "Always Strive and Prosper", "Assassinating Snitches and Police", and "Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose", the latter reportedly the favorite of ASAP Rocky. In the summer of 2011, the group released music videos for Rocky's singles "Peso" and "Purple Swag", produced by ASAP Ty Beats. Rocky followed up with his mixtapeLive.Love.ASAP in October, signing a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment that month.

Lords Never Worry (2012–2014)

On August 27, 2012, ASAP Mob released their debut project, a mixtape titled Lords Never Worry, as a free download. From September to November, Rocky toured with opening acts Schoolboy Q, Danny Brown, and ASAP Mob in support of his solo debut album.

In January 2013, ASAP Ferg signed a joint venture deal with RCA and Polo Grounds, which released his single "Work" for retail on iTunes.

1988–present

A$AP Rocky News: Rapper Acquitted in Assault Trial

A$AP Rocky was found not guilty of two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The rapper was acquitted by a Los Angeles jury on February 18 after he was accused of shooting at his former friend and collaborator Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli, following a 2021 confrontation. Both men were part of the A$AP Mob rap collective.

After the verdict was delivered, Rocky jumped into the court gallery to embrace his family and his longtime partner, Rihanna, with whom he shares two children: RZA and Riot. “Thank y’all for saving my life,” he told the jurors. The 36-year-old, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, faced up to 24 years in prison.

During the three-week trial, Rocky’s lawyer argued that he was carrying a prop gun that only fired blanks on the night in question and said it was something he regularly held when he didn’t have security. His defense, as well as a witness, maintained that he only aimed the gun at Relli to stop him from attacking a mutual friend. Relli claimed a bullet grazed his hand but didn’t sustain major injuries. Investigators didn’t uncover any evidence at the scene of the altercation.

The jury’s acquittal means Rocky won’t face any jail time, but his legal woes aren’t over just yet. The $30 million civil lawsuit Relli filed against him is still ongoing.

Who Is A$AP Rocky?

A$AP Rocky is a Grammy-nominated rapper best known for his experimental approach to hip-hop music, penchant for collaborations, and unique fashion sense. The most prominent member of the A$AP Mob collective, Rocky burst onto the scene in 2011 with his critically acclaimed mixtape Live.Love.A$AP that ushering in a new sound of East Coast rap. His chart-topping debut album, Long.Live.A$AP, followed in 2013. Among his most popular songs are the Grammy-nominated “F**kin’ Problems,” G-Eazy’s “No Limit” also with Cardi B, and Selena Gomez’s “Good For You.” A$AP Rocky