A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Athelston Mayers, is a Harlem rapper, record producer, actor, fashion designer and model. He is associated with A$AP Mob and AWGE, and his work spans cloud rap, East Coast hip hop, experimental hip hop, hardcore hip hop, hip hop and pop rap.

Early career

Born and raised in Harlem, he begins his music career as a member of A$AP Mob, from which he takes his stage name. His single “Peso” leaks in 2011 and gains radio airplay, helping cloud rap reach wider mainstream attention.

Recording career

Later in 2011, he signs with Polo Grounds Music and releases his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, which receives strong critical acclaim. In 2012, “Fuckin’ Problems”, featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, reaches number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and receives a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song.

His debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP (2013), debuts at number one on the Billboard 200 and is certified double platinum by the RIAA. At. Long. Last. A$AP (2015) also debuts at number one and receives critical praise; its singles “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 (LPFJ2)” and “Everyday” featuring Rod Stewart, Miguel and Mark Ronson are both certified double platinum, while “L$D” is nominated for Best Music Video at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.

Testing (2018) debuts in the top five of the Billboard 200. His fourth album, Don’t Be Dumb, is listed for 2026. He also works on production and songwriting for other artists under the pseudonym Lord Flacko, and he frequently co-directs his own music videos.

Fashion and other work

Mayers founds the creative agency and record label AWGE in 2014. Through AWGE, he collaborates with Marine Serre, Amina Muaddi, Moncler, JW Anderson, Under Armour, PacSun, Vans, Mercedes-Benz and Selfridges, and also on conceptual partnerships with MTV and Needles.

He co-launches the fashion label VLONE, leads campaigns for DKNY, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, Beats by Dre and Dior Homme, and serves as creative director for Puma F1 and Ray-Ban. He co-chairs the Met Gala in 2025.

Film and recognition

He appears in supporting roles in Dope (2015), Monster (2018), Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (2025) alongside Denzel Washington, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025). His awards include a BET Award, two BET Hip Hop Awards, an MTV Video Music Award Japan and an MTVU Woodie Award, and his wider creative work brings him honours including the Global Style Icon Award, the Virgil Abloh Award, the Cultural Innovator Award, the Collaboration of the Year Award and the Fashion Icon Award.

He receives two Grammy nominations, along with nominations for six World Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards.