Rakim Athelstone Mayers – better known to the world as A$AP Rocky – has taken over as a rapper, record producer, fashion icon and more.
Raised in Harlem, New York with a tough upbringing, the star has become one of the biggest music acts in the world – and now he and Rihanna are expecting a baby together.
From jail to high fashion and everything in between… here is the rocky road of A$AP Rocky.
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That’s a rap!
Updated
Rakim Athelstone Mayers – better known to the world as A$AP Rocky – has taken over as a rapper, record producer, fashion icon and more. Raised in Harlem, New York with a tough upbringing, the star has become one of the biggest music acts in the world – and now he and Rihanna are expecting a baby together. From jail to high fashion and everything in between… here is the rocky road of A$AP Rocky.
Rap star in the making
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At just nine years old Rocky learned to rap from his late older brother. He was 12 when his father was jailed in connection of selling illegal substances, where he died in 2012. A year later, Rocky’s older brother was killed in Harlem. Rocky, who often wore his twists hairdo after being influenced his older brother, took rapping more seriously following his sibling’s death.
Hard life
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During his young teen years, Rocky was selling illegal substances whilst moving around homeless shelters with his mother and sister. After bouncing around from shelter to shelter they moved to Manhattan. In 2004 he was arrested for dealing, and then spent two weeks in Rikers Island alongside fellow future rapper Casanova.
A$AP Rocky is born
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A$AP Rocky joined the A$AP Mob crew back in 2007. The crew was formed by A$AP Yams, A$AP Bari and A$AP Illz. The group is a Harlem-based collective of rappers, producers, music video directors, fashion designers and bikers that all share similar interests.
His first single became the anthem of New York
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In July, 2011, A$AP Rocky released his single ‘Purple Swag’, which became an anthem of the streets of New York City. He then went on to release its music video which gained attention from multiple record labels.
Million dollar Rocky
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In October 2011, Rocky signed a two-year record deal worth $3 million with Polo Grounds Music, which was distributed at the time by J Records. This lead him to start his own record company A$AP Worldwide with late A$AP Yams, who died in 2015 following an overdose.
Fashionista
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In 2016, the hip-hop star became the face of Dior’s FW16 campaign. Also that same year, Guess collaborated with Rocky on the Gue$$ collaboration, which was inspired by the rapper’s adoration for their vintage 90s clothing he wore growing up.
Behind bars
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Rocky – who had suffered legal issues in the past for his participation in bar brawls, attacks and dodgy dealings – was arrested in 2019 for an assault in Stockholm Sweden where a man was left needing stitches. After being held in custody at Kronoberg Remand Prison, he was let out by a judge who said he acted in self-defense. A$AP’s tour was put on hiatus as a result of the trial.
Rocky romances
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The L$D singer briefly dated Australian rapper Iggy Azalea from 2011 to 2012. He then began dating model Chanel Iman in 2013 and broke up not long afterwards in 2014. In the past, he’s also been linked to reality star Kendall Jenner.
Wild love life
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A$AP Rocky has been very open about his love life in teh past, including having “lots” of intimate group encounters as a teenager. He told Esquire in 2018: “The first time was in this apartment building. We took the elevator to the roof, and everybody put their coats on the ground.” The following year, he joked about the “alarming disturbance” when an alleged tape leaked online – and while he didn’t confirm it was him, he was happy to poke fun at the situation.
Only girl
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In a 2021, Rocky put the rumours to bed in an interview with GQ when he revealed that was in a relationship with Rihanna. He called the ‘Only Girl’ singer the only one for him, and their romance has blossomed. This week, the pair announced they were expecting a baby together. Rihanna debuted her bump with the rapper whilst they walked around in Harlem.
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