He learned how to rap from his older brother, who also wore the hair twists hairdo that A$AP Rocky later adopted. Mayers started rapping at age nine, when he moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His cousin is fellow ASAP Mob member ASAP Nast. Both Rakim and Erica's names are taken from the Eric B. He has an older brother and an older sister, Erika. Rakim Athelaston Mayers was born on October 3, 1988, in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan.
The album was preceded by Rocky's breakout single, " Fuckin' Problems" (featuring Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar), which was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 2014 Grammy Awards. A$AP (2013) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and became certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The success of his mixtape led to a record deal with Polo Grounds Music, RCA Records, and Sony Music Entertainment. A$AP later that year to widespread critical acclaim. In August 2011, Rocky's single " Peso" was leaked online and within weeks received radio airplay.
He is a member of the hip hop collective A$AP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. Rakim Athelaston Mayers (born October 3, 1988), known professionally as ASAP Rocky (stylized as A$AP Rocky / ˈ eɪ s æ p/, AY-sap), is an American rapper and record producer.