ASAP Rocky

Not to be confused with Aesop Rock.

ASAP Rocky
ASAP Rocky at South by Southwest in 2019
Born
Rakim Athelaston Mayers

(1988-10-03) October 3, 1988 (age 36)
New York City, U.S.
Other names
  • Lord Flacko
  • Pretty Flacko Jodye II
EducationBayard Rustin Educational Complex
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • music video director
  • entrepreneur
Years active2007–present
AgentWilliam Morris Endeavor
Works
PartnerRihanna (2020–present)[1]
Children2
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Member of
Websiteasaprocky.com

Rakim Athelaston Mayers[2] (born October 3, 1988), known professionally as A$AP Rocky (/ˈeɪsæp/ AY-sap; stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American-Barbadian rapper.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5][6]

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 2024.

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.[7][8]

  1. ^ Sanchez, Chelsey; Park, Sabrina; Mackelden, Amy (January 31, 2022). "Everything We Know About Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's Relationship". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  2. ^ Anwar, André (July 25, 2019). "Es wird eng für den US-Rapper ASAP Rocky in Stockholm". Augsburger Allgemeine (in German). Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Bullmore, Joseph. "The Renaissance Man: A$AP Rocky reflects on life in his thirties". www.thegentlemansjournal.com. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Caramanica was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Coleman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Coplan, Chris (November 28, 2011). "Video: Danny Brown – "Blunt After Blunt" (directed by ASAP Rocky)". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "A$AP Rocky's Long.Live.A$AP to feature production from Clams Casino, Skrillex and more". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. December 12, 2012. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2013.