A renowned US rapper, A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, is commemorating his 37th birthday today on October 3. Interestingly, many are just now grasping the significance behind his stage moniker.
In a relationship with music icon Rihanna, A$AP Rocky draws his name inspiration from the legendary American rapper Rakim. A$AP Rocky commenced his rap journey at a young age under the influence of his late brother, who tragically passed away when Rocky was only 13 in Harlem, New York, motivating him to pursue rapping seriously.
By 2007, A$AP Rocky had become part of the A$AP Mob collective, a crew comprising rappers, producers, and music video directors, among others. Each member of the group incorporated “A$AP” into their stage names, sparking curiosity among fans about the meaning behind the acronym and the choice of “Rocky.”
According to American Songwriter, the name A$AP was conceived when the rapper was in New York City, where his crew adopted the A$AP prefix denoting “Always Strive and Prosper.” As for “Rocky,” it was a childhood nickname from his mother, merging to create a captivating rap persona.
His musical journey took off with the release of his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, following the success of his single Peso in 2011, leading to a $3 million record deal with Polo Ground Music. A$AP Rocky’s first studio album, Long. Live. A$AP, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart in 2013 and has since achieved gold certification by the RIAA.
Subsequently, A$AP Rocky’s career soared with various releases, collaborations, and tours. His most recent album, Testing, hit the shelves in 2018, securing the fourth spot on the Billboard 200 chart.
In a recent interview with GQ, A$AP Rocky disclosed his relationship with renowned singer Rihanna, with whom he shares three children – RZA Athelston Mayers (3), Riot Rose Mayers (2), and Rocki Irish Mayers (1 month).
Reflecting on A$AP Rocky’s stage name, a Reddit user admitted to discovering the acronym’s meaning belatedly, echoing the sentiments of others who have also recently realized its significance.