Discover the story behind A$AP Rocky, from his early days in Harlem to his rise in the music industry, including his debut mixtape and successful studio album.
He was named after one of the all-time greats - so it's only fitting he became a star too. A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was named after American rapper Rakim, whose chart-topping hits include When I Be On Tha Mic, Guess Who's Back and It's Been A Long Time.
At just nine years old, A$AP Rocky started rapping after learning from his older brother. But when he was 13, his brother was tragically killed in Harlem, New York, inspiring him to take rapping more seriously. He ended up joining the A$AP Mob crew in 2007, a group made up of rappers, producers, music video directors, and others. All of the members of the crew adopted A$AP in front of their own stage names. But this has left some fans questioning not only what A$AP stands for, but also why he decided to be known as Rocky. READ MORE - People are only just learning what .com actually stands for after 39 years A statement on American Songwriter reads: "The name was conjured up when the rapper was back home in New York City. His entire crew had A$AP preceding their name. The collective of rappers, directors, fashion designers, and other artists was dubbed the A$AP Mob. The acronym stands for 'Always Strive and Prosper.' "Rocky was a nickname his mother gave him when he was younger. Put the two together and you have an unforgettable rap alter ego." After his single Peso was leaked online in 2011, A$AP Rocky signed with Polo Grounds Music and went on to release his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP. The statement adds: "The mixtape was met with critical acclaim – so much so that he landed a $3 million record deal with Polo Ground Music. His debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP, was released in 2013 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has since been certified gold by the RIAA." "The next few years would be a whirlwind of releases, features, tours and more as Rocky rose in the rap ranks thanks to his stellar debut. His most recent album, Testing, was released in 2018, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart." He announced his relationship with singer Rihanna during an interview with GQ in 2021, and the pair now have two children - RZA Athelston Mayers and Riot Rose Mayers. Commenting on A$AP Rocky's stage name, one Reddit user admitted: "It took me way too long to realize ASAP stands for Always Strive And Prosper." Another user said: "Just now realised this too." Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .
Please follow us on Google to support usA$AP Rocky Rapper A$AP Mob Music Career Billboard Success Hip Hop
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why former Leinster rugby star Rocky Elsom is on the run from French policeIn the News podcast
Read more »
I'm A Celeb Barry McGuigan's childhood sweetheart wife and family heartbreakFormer featherweight boxing champion Barry McQuigan, 63, has had his fair share of heartbreak over the years. We take a look at his love life, career and chances of surviving the jungle
Read more »
Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin: From Childhood Sweethearts to Celebrity CoupleThis article explores the love story of Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin, starting from their childhood meeting in Liverpool and culminating in their lavish 2008 wedding. It also touches on their family life, including the births of their two sons.
Read more »
Tulisa Shares Her Struggles with Mental Health and Turbulent ChildhoodTulisa discusses her challenging childhood due to her mother's mental health issues and how her dream of becoming a performer helped her navigate through difficult times.
Read more »
Inside I'm a Celebrity star Tulisa's rocky relationship with her Irish motherTulisa has been open about her challenging relationship with her mother Anne, who has schizoaffective disorder, and her tough childhood growing up in a one-bedroom flat in north London
Read more »
My Start-Up Story: One architect’s journey to independenceThis is the start-up story of architect Orla Wilson. Fuelled by a passion for design, she set up her own business in 2021.
Read more »