ASAP Rocky Biography

A$AP Rocky is a New York-based rapper, record producer, and director who is a member of the hip-hop crew A$AP Mob.

Early Life

Rakim Mayers was born in Manhattan, New York on October 3, 1988, but moved in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at age 8. During the same time, he started rapping. Mayers took the craft more seriously after the death of his brother and began a drug dealer at 15.

Career Beginnings

He gave up the drug community and decided to focus on rapping by moving to New Jersey. In 2007 he and other members formed the hip-hop group A$AP Mob. The collective was centered around various facets of art such as fashion, film, and music. In 2011 Rocky issued his first mixtape Deep Purple followed by his debut single Peso. Purple Swag, a mixtape single, gained the attention of major record labels. Live. Love. A$AP was ASAP’s second mixtape receiving critical acclaim. This eventually got him a record deal with RCA Records.

Success

The subsequent year was full of touring. He and Kendrick Lamar were the opening act to Drake’ tour followed by the Pitchfork Music Festival and a guest to Rihanna’s 2012 MTV Video Music Awards performance. Long. Live. A$AP was released this time as a studio album. It debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200 and was certified gold in 2013. Next, his crew, A$AP Mob released for free the mixtape Lords Never Worry. Rocky supported the album with a 40 date tour called Long Live ASAP Tour.  At. Long. Last. A$AP was the follow-up LP and was issued in 2015, debuting at number 1.

Photo credit: ASVP Rocky