A little over 6 months ago hardly anyone knew who A$AP Rocky was. However, he unexpectedly kicked open the doors of hip hop after recently gaining a huge following online due to a couple of well crafted videos. The seemingly overnight success story has many people wondering, what is so special about the Harlem rapper? Well for one, A$AP Rocky’s does not embody the New York style that most people are used to. His diverse lyrical technique is like a mixture of the Midwest and the south while ever so slightly repping Harlem. Along with that, he has a charisma that leaves his audience with a sense of adoration for him. His viral hit “Purple Swag” reached over $1 million views but still A$AP Rocky did not get much respect from radio until “Peso” was released in August 2011. Despite that, it was “Purple Swag” that got him his meetings with major labels. This eventually led to a 3 million dollar deal with Sony/RCA/Polo Grounds which gives him and his A$AP Mob creative control. For most of us, the abbreviation ASAP means ‘as soon as possible’. But for A$AP Rocky and his A$AP crew, it means ‘Always Strive and Prosper’. Either way, he is living up to the meaning.
- A$AP Rocky was born Rakim Mayers in Harlem, New York on October 3, 1987.
- For most of his childhood he grew up between the Bronx and Harlem.
- A$AP Rocky was named after the rapper Rakim from Eric B. & Rakim.
- A$AP Rocky or just Rocky, started rapping at the age of 8 years old.
- He says that growing up, he was an outcast because of the way he dressed.
- Rocky’s father went to jail for selling drugs when he was 12 years old and a year later his older brother was killed near his apartment.
- After Rocky’s brother was killed, he moved him and his mother to Elmwood Park, N.J. to be in a safer neighborhood.
- He started to take rapping seriously after his father went to jail and his brother died.
- Rocky quit selling drugs when his rap career started to take off.
- Rocky belongs to the rap group called A$AP Mob, who all use A$AP in front of their names.
- The group has many members but the most known members are A$AP Yams, A$AP Dee Ferg, A$AP Twelvyy, A$AP Ty, A$AP Nast, Jay West, and Young Lord.
- A$AP means: Always Strive and Prosper or Accumulate Status and Power.
- Rocky’s musical inspirations are Andre 3000, Drake, Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, UGK, and Lil B and Devin The Dude to name a few.
- His first hit Purple Swag; produced by A$AP Ty was released online in July 2011.
- Purple Swag was a viral sensation reaching over 1 million views on YouTube so far.
- In August 2011, Peso was released and received radio airplay from Hot 97, which also gained him co-signs from Drake, Mac Miller, and Tyler, The Creator.
- Rocky credits The Fader for persuading other bloggers to listen to his music and propelling his fan base.
- Many major labels wanted to sign A$AP Rocky but he built a relationship with Brian Leach at RCA, who helped him decide the route that would be the most beneficial to his career.
- In late 2011, Rocky inked a 3 million dollar deal with Sony/RCA/Polo Grounds which gives him creative control.
- Rocky was able to start his own label called A$AP World Wide, signing 3 artists including Twelvyy, Nast, and Ferg.
- In October 2011, he released the mixtape LiveLoveA$AP.
- Rocky just finished touring with Drake and Kendrick Lamar on the Club Paradise Tour.
- He plans to release his album LongLiveA$AP in spring, 2011.
While touring with Drake, here is what A$AP Rocky says he’s learned: “What’s going on right now with the whole Drake situation has allowed me to see how a performer is supposed to strategize their performance and how you gotta interact with the crowd. I have my own method and what I do on my shows and there’s nothing wrong with seeing just a little bit of what somebody else has to offer that you could pick up on and kind of use for yourself.”
Post by: Rosie J – music marketer
@StudioDiva
