Far from just being Rihanna’s companion, ASAP Rocky has made a meteoric rise from the difficult neighborhoods of New York to the closed circle of the biggest stars of the international rap scene. Portrait.
In less than 10 years, ASAP Rocky has established himself as a big name in US rap. Recognized and respected, his notoriety went far beyond the borders of the music scene during his meeting with the star Rihanna. At 35 years old, the rapper from New York has amassed successes and arouses the impatience of his fans who are eagerly awaiting his new album.
A difficult youth
Originally from the island of Barbados, like his partner, ASAP Rocky grew up in the most popular neighborhoods of the Big Apple, between Harlem, the Bronx and Manatthan. At the age of eight, young Rakim Athelaston Mayers, his real name, started making music, particularly rapping. Faced with violence in his neighborhood against a backdrop of drug trafficking, ASAP Rocky had a difficult childhood and adolescence.
ASAP’s CV
Gradually, ASAP Rocky’s musical style expands, as does his writing. He oscillates between alternative hip-hop, trap and cloud rap while his lyrics evoke his vision of life, his philosophical reflections, but also anecdotes concerning sex, drugs, addictions, the street and even money. Widely recognized, the artist released four albums between the start of the 2010s and the dawn of the 2020s: “LIVE.LOVE.A$AP” (2011), “LONG.LIVE.A$AP” (2013) , “AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP (2015)” and “TESTING” (2018). Surrounded by the greats of the American rap industry, he frequents, among others, ILoveMakonnen, Skepta and Kodak Black. Today, fans are impatiently awaiting “Don’t Be Dumb”, the rapper’s new album which could be released in 2024. Already, last July, the latter unveiled the title “Riot (Rowdy Pipe’n )” and the impressive music video that accompanies it.
Alongside his musical career, the rapper is also experiencing a rise in fashion. He is a model and ambassador for numerous brands and has numerous advertising contracts. But that’s not all, Rakim Athelaston Mayers also has strong capital thanks to his financial investments in real estate and several other businesses.
The heart of ASAP
On the love side, it’s fascinating. Of course, everyone knows that. ASAP Rocky is dating one of music’s biggest stars, Rihanna. Together since 2020, the two lovers have had two children: RZA and Riot Rose. Today, they are among the most glamorous couples on the celebrity planet. But before this romance, the rapper had many relationships. To name just one, he dated model Kendall Jenner in 2017. In the press, the artist indulged in multiple revelations concerning his rich sentimental life and his past addiction linked to sex.
What does ASAP Rocky mean?
If you think ASAP comes from the English abbreviation ASAPwhich means “ as quickly as possible » (as soon as possible), think again ! At the end of the 2000s, Rakim Mayers joined the group A$ap Mob. This is how he chose his stage name: A$ap Rocky. Its acronym A$AP therefore comes from the pseudonym that the members of its collective share. It signifies ” Always strive and prosper (Always Trive And Prosper),” explains the magazine American Songwriter.
As for Rocky, he adopted this nickname because it was the one his mother gave him when he was younger. This Friday, the famous American rapper delivered a remarkable performance on the stage of the Accor Arena for the Yellow Pieces Gala, an event broadcast on France 2, Saturday January 27, 2024.