Name: Rakim Athelaston Mayers, professionally known as ASAP Rocky (stylized as ASAP Rocky).
Introduction: ASAP Rocky is an American rapper, record producer (under the pseudonym Lord Flacko), music video director, actor, and fashion model. He gained prominence as a key member of the ASAP Mob, a Harlem-based hip-hop collective. He is celebrated for his innovative musical style, which fuses various hip-hop subgenres, and his significant influence on fashion and popular culture.
Date of Birth: October 3, 1988
Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
Place of Birth: Harlem, Manhattan, New York, New York, U.S.
Family: ASAP Rocky grew up in a challenging environment. His father was incarcerated for drug dealing when he was 12, and his older brother, Ricky Mayers, was killed a year later, which profoundly impacted him and motivated him to pursue rap more seriously. He also has an older sister, Erika B. Mayers.
Parents’ Names:
- Mother: Renee Black
- Father: Adrian Mayers
Spouse’s Name: Rihanna (they are in a long-term relationship and he has referred to her as his “wife,” though their marital status has not been officially confirmed by both)
Children’s Names:
- RZA Athelston Mayers (son, born May 13, 2022)
- Riot Rose (son, born August 1, 2023)
- They are expecting a third child in 2025. All their children are confirmed to have “R” names.
Relatives’ Names: Ricky Mayers (deceased older brother), Erika B. Mayers (older sister), ASAP Nast (cousin and fellow ASAP Mob member).
Profession:
- Rapper
- Songwriter
- Record producer (under the pseudonym Lord Flacko)
- Music video director
- Entrepreneur
- Actor
- Fashion model
Nationality: American
Religion: While not extensively detailed, his father was reportedly Muslim.
College or University Attended: He has not attended a traditional university. He is listed as having attended Bayard Rustin Educational Complex. He has, however, engaged with academic institutions by giving speeches, such as at the Oxford Union in 2015.
Biography and What Famous For:
Rakim Mayers’ early life was marked by hardship, including periods of homelessness and living in shelters with his mother and sister. The loss of his father to incarceration and his brother to violence fueled his dedication to music. He began rapping at age nine and later joined the ASAP Mob collective, founded by ASAP Yams, ASAP Bari, and ASAP Illz.
ASAP Rocky first gained attention in 2011 with the viral release of his singles “Peso” and “Purple Swag,” and his critically acclaimed debut mixtape, Live. Love. ASAP. This success led to a significant record deal with Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records and the establishment of his own label, ASAP Worldwide, with ASAP Yams.
His debut studio album, Long. Live. ASAP (2013), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured hit singles like “Fuckin’ Problems,” which earned him a Grammy nomination. His subsequent albums, At. Long. Last. ASAP (2015) and Testing (2018), further solidified his standing in the music industry. His upcoming fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, is slated for release in 2025.
ASAP Rocky is renowned for his experimental approach to hip-hop, blending diverse sounds from East Coast boom-bap, Southern chopped and screwed production, and psychedelic rap. Beyond music, he is a prominent figure in fashion, known for his distinctive style that bridges streetwear and high fashion. He has collaborated with numerous high-profile brands, including Guess, Calvin Klein, Dior Homme, Gucci, Puma, and became the first creative director at Ray-Ban in 2025. His influence extends to acting, with roles in films like “Dope” and “Zoolander 2,” and directing music videos for himself and other artists. He has been recognized with awards such as a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award Japan, and an MTVU Woodie Award.
Have Participated:
- Member of the ASAP Mob collective since 2007.
- Released successful albums and mixtapes: Live. Love. ASAP (2011), Long. Live. ASAP (2013), At. Long. Last. ASAP (2015), Testing (2018), and the upcoming Don’t Be Dumb (2025).
- Toured extensively, including as an opening act for Drake’s Club Paradise Tour.
- Made network television debuts.
- Engaged in significant fashion collaborations and campaigns with Guess, JW Anderson, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Dior Homme, Puma, and Ray-Ban (as creative director).
- Directed numerous music videos for himself and other artists (e.g., Danny Brown).
- Appeared in films (“Dope,” “Zoolander 2”) and short films (“Born to Steal: Yours, Mine, Ours” with Rihanna).
- Featured in video games (e.g., as a non-playable character in Need for Speed).
- Delivered speeches at institutions like the Oxford Union.
- Collaborated with a wide array of artists across genres, including Rihanna, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Schoolboy Q, Tyler, the Creator, Lana Del Rey, Florence Welch, FKA Twigs, and Miguel.
