A$AP Rocky

When “Peso” leaked online in August 2011, A$AP Rocky quickly moved from Harlem’s A$AP Mob collective to wider radio attention, helping bring cloud rap into the mainstream. Born Rakim Athelston Mayers on October 3, 1988, he was raised in Harlem and took his professional name from the collective. After signing with Polo Grounds Music, an imprint of RCA Records, he released his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, to widespread critical acclaim.

Rocky’s 2012 single “Fuckin’ Problems,” featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, became his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, reaching number eight. The track was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards and set up his debut album, Long. Live. A$AP (2013). The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, earned double-platinum certification from the RIAA, and established the mix of melodic rap, hard-edged verses and atmospheric production that ran through his early releases.

His second album, At. Long. Last. A$AP, arrived in 2015 and also opened atop the Billboard 200. Its singles included “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2),” “Everyday,” featuring Rod Stewart, Miguel and Mark Ronson, and “L$D.” Both “LPFJ2” and “Everyday” received double-platinum RIAA certifications, while “L$D” earned a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. Testing followed in 2018 and debuted in the Billboard 200’s top five. His fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, debuted at number one in 2026.

Outside his solo catalog, Mayers has worked as a producer and co-writer for other artists, often using the pseudonym Lord Flacko. He has also co-directed most of his own music videos. In 2014, he founded the creative agency and record label AWGE, which has developed partnerships with fashion and commercial brands including Moncler, Vans, Mercedes-Benz, Selfridges and Under Armour. He co-launched the fashion label VLONE, co-chaired the Met Gala in 2025, and has led campaigns for brands including Calvin Klein, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Dior Homme and Beats by Dre. As of 2025, he serves as creative director for Puma F1 and Ray-Ban.

Mayers has also acted in Dope (2015), Monster (2018), Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (2025), and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025). His honors include a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award Japan and an MTVU Woodie Award, alongside two Grammy nominations.