In October, he released the mixtape Live. After he released a music video for his song 'Purple Swag', he received attention from several record labels. In August 2011, Rocky's single ' Peso', was leaked online and within weeks received airplay on the high-profile Hot 97 New York radio station. In July 2011, Rocky released his single 'Purple Swag' which quickly became a street anthem in New York City. It had been formed by A$AP Yams, A$AP Bari and A$AP Illz. In 2007, A$AP Rocky joined the A$AP Mob crew, a Harlem-based collective of rappers, producers, music video directors, fashion designers, and bikers who shared similar interests in music, fashion, style, and art.

After living for a period in a shelter with his mother in New York City, he moved to Midtown Manhattan. When Mayers was 12 years old, his father went to jail and he spent his teenage years moving around homeless shelters with his mother and sister. He was also influenced by Mobb Deep, Three 6 Mafia, UGK, Run DMC, Wu-Tang Clan, and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Mayers grew up admiring Harlem-based rap group The Diplomats. The death inspired Rocky to take rapping more seriously. When Mayers was 13, his brother was killed in Harlem. He learned how to rap from his older brother, who also wore the Cornrows hairdo that A$AP Rocky later adopted. Mayers started rapping at age nine, when he moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His cousin is fellow ASAP Mob member ASAP Nast. Both Rakim and Erika's names are taken from the Eric B. He has an older brother (deceased) and an older sister, Erika. Rakim Athelaston Mayers was born on October 3, 1988, in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, a borough of New York City. Furthermore, he produces records under the pseudonym Lord Flacko. Rocky has also directed music videos for himself, Danny Brown, and other A$AP Mob members. Rocky has won a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award Japan and an MTVU Woodie Award, as well as being nominated for two Grammy Awards, six World Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards. In 2018, Rocky released his third album, Testing, which peaked in the top five of several countries, including the Billboard 200. The album's single, ' L$D', was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

The album was Rocky's second consecutive album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 and received mostly positive reviews from music critics. In 2015, Rocky released his second album, titled At. The album was preceded by Rocky's breakout single, ' Fuckin' Problems' (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar), which was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 2014 Grammy Awards. A$AP (2013) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The success of what is considered his breakout project led to a joint venture record deal with Polo Grounds Music and Sony Music's RCA Records. A$AP, later that year to widespread critical acclaim. In August 2011, Rocky's single ' Peso' was leaked online and within weeks began receiving radio airplay. Born and raised in Harlem, he embarked on his musical career as a member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. Rakim Athelaston Mayers (born October 3, 1988), known professionally as ASAP Rocky ( / ˈ eɪ s æ p/ AY-sap stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper.

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