Background and Early Life

Rakim Athelaston Mayers, professionally known as ASAP Rocky, was born on October 3, 1988, in Harlem, New York City. Of Barbadian descent, he was named after hip-hop legend Rakim, one half of the rap duo Eric B. & Rakim. He began rapping at the age of eight but became more serious about his craft in his late teens.

Though raised in Harlem, Rocky was heavily influenced by Southern hip-hop, which he credits for the drawl in his vocal delivery. His early life was marked by tragedy: his father was imprisoned for drug-related offenses when Rocky was 12, and his older brother, Ricky, was fatally shot in a drug-related incident the same year. These events played a formative role in his artistic development.

Music Career and Rise to Fame

ASAP Rocky is acclaimed for his experimental approach to hip-hop and his distinctive fusion of fashion and music. He gained mainstream attention in 2011 with the release of his debut mixtape, Live.Love.A$AP, which earned him a $3 million record deal with RCA Records. He emerged as a central figure in Harlem's A$AP Mob, a creative collective of rappers, producers, designers, and visual artists.

His debut studio album, Long.Live.A$AP (2013), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and included hits like "Goldie" and "F**kin' Problems." His follow-up album, At.Long.Last.A$AP (2015), further solidified his reputation, showcasing a more psychedelic and introspective sound. Rocky is recognized for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop, drawing on diverse influences and collaborators.

Fashion and Cultural Influence

Beyond music, ASAP Rocky is a prominent figure in the fashion world. Known for his sartorial experimentation, he has collaborated with top designers such as Raf Simons and Jonathan Anderson. In 2016, he became the face of Dior Homme, marking a milestone as one of the first Black men to represent the luxury menswear brand. His contributions have made him a fashion icon, seamlessly blending streetwear aesthetics with high fashion.