A$AP Rocky

Rakim Athelaston Mayers, named after "The God MC" Rakim and known by his stage name A$AP Rocky, is from Harlem, New York. He is familiar with the stereotypical rap lifestyle, popularized by other Harlem icons like Big L, Kool Moe Dee, Mase, and Cam'ron. Rocky's melodic rap style is often compared to fellow Harlem rapper Max B, who was recently incarcerated.

Rocky started his career in 2007 with the Harlem-based group A$AP Mob, founded by A$AP Yams, A$AP Bari, and A$AP Illz. He gained fame in 2011 after releasing his debut mixtape LIVE.LOVE.A$AP, which included the hits “Peso” and “Purple Swag” and led to a record deal with RCA Records.

His first studio album, Long. Live. A$AP, came out in 2013 after several delays from his label. This album was seen as an enhancement of his debut mixtape, maintaining Rocky's excellent taste while smartly evolving his sound.

Following months of teasing projects, including an entirely experimental instrumental album, Rocky returned with "Multiply" featuring Juicy J in 2014 and “Lord Pretty Flacko Joyde” on New Year’s 2015. Both tracks promoted his next album, AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP. However, before the album's release, his long-time friend and mentor A$AP Yams died due to an overdose, deeply affecting Rocky. The album was released on May 26, 2015, after being leaked a week before its intended release date. It received generally positive to mixed reviews, with critics praising the psychedelic anthem “L$D.”

After a short break from solo music to focus on fashion and art, Rocky announced he was working on a new studio album titled TESTING. Released on May 25, 2018, the album garnered mixed reviews due to its experimental nature.

Rocky's music often has a dreamy, cloud-like quality, yet he's known for delivering strong verses when necessary. He's also recognized for creating some of the best music videos in the industry.

As a key figure in modern hip-hop, Rocky's achievements extend beyond music. He is well-regarded for his exceptional fashion sense and was named one of the most influential fashion icons of 2017. He appeared on the cover of a 2017 GQ magazine issue, labeled as the "World’s Flyest Human." That same year, he also founded his creative collective and record label, AWGE.