A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers on October 3, 1988, in Harlem, New York City, is an American rapper known for his influential contributions to the hip hop genre. He began rapping in elementary school, but faced significant challenges during his teenage years, including the incarceration of his father when he was twelve and the tragic death of his brother shortly thereafter. To navigate these hardships, Mayers adopted the moniker A$AP Rocky and used rap as a means of expression, although he also engaged in drug dealing during his adolescence.

In a positive development, A$AP Rocky co-founded the A$AP Mob, a collective of Harlem artists spanning various creative fields including fashion, directing, and music. His career gained traction when he released his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, in 2011. The mixtape featured the hit track “Peso,” which received critical acclaim and quickly garnered him a multi-million dollar record deal with RCA Records, positioning him as a notable breakthrough artist in the rap scene.

Following the success of his mixtape, A$AP Rocky toured extensively, performing at significant events such as the Pitchfork Music Festival and the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. His debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP, was released in early 2013 and debuted at the top of the Billboard charts, further solidifying his status as a significant figure in hip hop.

In addition to his musical endeavors, A$AP Rocky established his own production company, ASAP Worldwide, and launched a clothing line in collaboration with renowned fashion designer Raf Simons in 2013. His influence in both the music and fashion industries has been widely recognized.

Rocky's single "Fuckin' Problems," released in 2012 and featuring artists Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar, marked his first entry into the Billboard Hot 100 at number eight. The track received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song, further establishing his impact in the music industry.

His second album, At. Long. Last. A$AP, released in 2015, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and received critical acclaim, with lead singles "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2)" and "Everyday" achieving double platinum certification. His third studio album, Testing, released in 2018, debuted within the top five of the Billboard 200 chart.

Throughout his career, A$AP Rocky has received numerous awards and nominations, including a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award Japan, and several Grammy nominations. In addition to his personal projects, he has also branched into music video direction and production, often working under the pseudonym Lord Flacko. His upcoming fourth album, Don't Be Dumb, is slated for release in 2025, indicating his ongoing contributions to music.