A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was born in Harlem, New York. He was named Rakim after the legendary rapper Rakim of the duo Eric B. & Rakim. In
2007, he joined the rap collective A$AP Mob and adopted the stage name A$AP Rocky. In
2011, he attracted major attention with the song “Peso” and subsequently with his debut mixtape Live. Love. A$AP. His
2012 single “Fuckin' Problems,” featuring
Drake,
2 Chainz and
Kendrick Lamar, became his first entry on the
Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 8; it also received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song. In
2013, he released his debut studio album Long. Live. A$AP, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and, according to the original record, sold more than two million copies.
