A$AP Rocky biography, net worth, age, height, Rihanna, baby 2025

A$AP Rocky Biography

A$AP Rocky doesn't like being compared to Kanye West or Jay-Z. However, their biographies are similar: difficult childhood, rapid career rise, their own recognizable style of music and problems with the law. As well as his older colleagues, the rapper has always been interested in design and fashion and has also won the heart of one of the most famous beauties.

In January 2022, news broke that A$AP Rocky and singer Rihanna were expecting their first child. The upcoming fatherhood didn't change the musician's restless nature one bit. A few months later, he was arrested by the police.

Childhood and Family

Rakim Mayers (the real name of rapper A$AP Rocky) was born on October 3, 1988. His childhood was genuinely tough: he grew up in one of New York's most dangerous neighborhoods - Harlem. Drugs, alcohol, constant fights… the streets never slept. His father dealt drugs and was an addict himself. But in later interviews, the rapper always recalled that period with nostalgia.

He grew up in a multicultural family. His father was born in Barbados; his mother is African American. She didn't work and took care of three children. Rakim was the youngest. Rakim had an elder brother and sister. The sister's name was Erica. She and Rakim were named after members of the hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim.

The family moved from one place to another, so in 1996 the Mayers ended up in Pennsylvania. It was there that 8-year-old Rakim became interested in rap. The older brother helped him write lyrics and actively supported his creativity. Later, the rapper adopted his signature braided hairstyle, just like his brother had.

In 2000 the family returned to New York. His father was sent to prison for drug dealing. The Mayers were left with no income. His mother and the kids became homeless, moving from shelter to shelter. Rakim first participated in a sexual orgy at 13, something he'd later discuss openly with reporters.

In 2002 his brother was gunned down on the streets of Harlem. Rakim took this tragedy hard. He fell in with a bad crowd and nearly cut off contact with his mother and sister. He devoted all his free time to rap and earned his living by selling crack. The musician still bears a scar from being pistol-whipped during that period.

In 2004 Rakim was arrested. He spent two weeks in prison on Rikers Island in New York. The future rapper Casanova also served his sentence there. Prison time made Mayers reassess his priorities and swear off crime for good. But he'd still run into legal trouble multiple times as an adult.

A$AP Mob

When Rakim was a child, he had a warm relationship with his cousin Tarik Devega. They became friends because of a common love for rap. After his family moved several times, the two lost touch.

After his release from prison, Rakim focused on music. He reconnected with his cousin and built connections with rappers, designers and producers. One of them was Jabari Shelton (A$AP Bari), who designed clothes in a modern street style. He recognized Rakim's potential, who had already developed a distinctive style with dark, introspective lyrics through years of practice.

Shelton introduced him to Steven Rodriguez (A$AP Yams), who was developing the idea of creating a collective of creative New Yorkers with shared interests in fashion and music. A$AP Mob became such a team in 2006.

The collective's founders were A$AP Yams, A$AP Bari and A$AP Illz, who in 2007 welcomed Rakim into their ranks, where he took the pseudonym A$AP Rocky. Soon other members joined the crew, including Myers' cousin, who took the pseudonym A$AP Nast.

Rakim immediately became the group's informal leader, becoming close to its founder A$AP Yams. Rodriguez became a natural mentor for the young musician. They spent all day in the studio, listening to hundreds of hip-hop tracks and crafting a unique sound that would suit Rocky.

The hard work paid off: in 2011, the rapper's debut single "Purple Swag" dropped online and became a real breakthrough. The track "Peso" followed shortly after and quickly entered rotation on New York radio stations. Having won over fans, Myers, with Rodriguez's help, broke into the mainstream - his mixtape "Live. Love. A$AP" in fall 2011 earned rave reviews from music critics across various publications, including The New York Times.

Career Heyday

Riding high on his success, producers reached out to Rakim with a contract offer from RCA Records and a collaboration deal with Polo Grounds Music. A year later, the musician announced his debut studio album release and embarked on a U.S. promotional tour. He opened for Drake and performed the collaboration "Cockiness (Love It)" with Rihanna at the MTV Video Music Awards.

A$AP Rocky - Long Live A$AP

In 2013, Rocky's debut album "Long. Live. A$AP" immediately shot to #1 on the sales charts. Just before the album dropped, Rakim learned that his father had died in prison. Rocky's second album was also marked by tragedy. In December 2014, Rakim dropped the lead single "Pretty Flacko 2" from his upcoming album. Three weeks later, he got word that his friend and mentor Stephen Rodriguez (A$AP Yams) had died. According to the official version, he died from respiratory arrest in his sleep. But his crew believed Rodriguez died from an overdose.

In 2015, Myers dropped his second album "At. Long. Last. ASAP," which sold 146,000 copies online in its first week. He released the single "Cozy Tapes, Vol. one" as a tribute to his late friend. A few months later, Rakim's collaboration with Selena Gomez "Good For You" climbed to the top of the charts.

Selena Gomez ft. A$AP Rocky – Good For You

Three years later, A$AP Rocky released his third album "Testing." Just before its release, another tragedy struck Rakim's life. His sister Erika died from an overdose. His new album got mixed reviews from critics and wasn't a major hit. Later, Rakim admitted that most of the album's tracks were written while under the influence of LSD.

A$AP Rocky | Full Q&A | Oxford Union

In summer 2019, Rakim's crew's tour in Sweden ended in a brawl. Just before his Smash festival performance, the rapper was charged in connection with a mass brawl. A video that went viral online was used as evidence. In response, A$AP Rocky declared that he was innocent and even published his own prosecution story. On his social media, he posted videos showing two men chasing him and his entourage. However, in early July, a Stockholm court ordered the artist's arrest.

He was supported by many stars, including rapper Kanye West. Then-U.S. President Donald Trump also declared Rakim's innocence.

In early August 2019, A$AP Rocky was released from prison and permitted to leave Sweden. He was later found guilty and received a hefty fine and suspended sentence.

A$AP Rocky's Personal Life

In interviews, Rakim has openly discussed his sexually adventurous lifestyle from a young age. When discussing relationships, he's expressed a preference for casual, no-strings-attached arrangements. He was uncertain about his future and didn't see himself settling down to start a family.

In 2011 he dated hip-hop singer Iggy Azalea. She got a tattoo dedicated to her boyfriend, featuring the inscription "Live. Love. A$AP". Their passionate romance was marked by constant fighting, and they split after a year. In frustration, Azalea later tattooed a line through the word A$AP.

The musician himself found comfort in the company of model Chanel Iman. They even announced their engagement but broke up in 2014.

Following that, the rapper was linked to Kendall Jenner, Lana Del Rey and Tina Kunaki, though A$AP Rocky never addressed the speculation. He didn't open up about his personal life until 2021, when he confirmed his relationship with longtime friend Rihanna, calling her "the love of his life." Rakim has always been open about admiring her work, style and feminist views, and supported her through difficult periods in her previous relationships.

In January 2022 it became known that Rihanna was expecting her first child with A$AP Rocky. While they haven't discussed marriage plans publicly, the couple has been spending all their free time together. That spring, cheating rumors surfaced involving fashion designer Amina Muaddi, but sources quickly shut them down.

Rihanna Asks A$AP Rocky 18 Questions | GQ

The power couple ignored the gossip and jetted off for a getaway in Rihanna's native Barbados.

A$AP Rocky Now

Upon returning to Los Angeles in April 2022, A$AP Rocky was arrested right at the airport. It turned out the rapper was being held in connection with a shooting from November 2021. The alleged victim claimed Rakim shot at him multiple times, hitting him in the arm, before fleeing with friends. It took the police several months to investigate.

ASAP Rocky leaves police station after posting a bail

Mayers spent a day at the police station, after which he was released on bail of 550 thousand dollars, but the investigation continued.

On May 13, the rapper and Rihanna welcomed their first baby son.

Interesting Facts

Music is not the only interest of A$AP Rocky. He is also fond of fashion. He's appeared in campaigns for Dior and Calvin Klein and created an exclusive collection for Guess. In 2013, Rakim launched his own fashion brand.

In addition, he designed the beds for his mansion. The rapper planned to commercialize his designs, but with prototypes costing around $70,000 and likely reaching $100,000. For now, furniture design remains the rapper's creative outlet.

Important Dates

1996 – started writing rap
2004 – first arrest
2007 – joined the A$AP Mob
2011 – released his debut single "Purple Swag"
2013 – released debut album "Long. Live. A$AP", launched fashion brand A$AP Rocky
2015 – released the second album "At. Long. Last. ASAP"
2018 – released the third album "Testing"
2019 – arrested for assault in Sweden
2021 – confirmed relationship with Rihanna
2022 – announced Rihanna's pregnancy, arrested at LAX in shooting case