Rakim Mayers (born October 3, 1988), better known by his stage name ASAP Rocky (stylized as A$AP Rocky), is an American rapper and music video director. Born and raised in the New York City neighborhood Harlem, he is a member of the hip hop collective A$AP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker.
Rocky released his debut mixtape LiveLoveA$AP in 2011 to critical acclaim. He plans to release his debut studio album, LongLiveA$AP, in July 2012.
Early life
Born in 1988, Mayers was named after the hip hop star Rakim, one half of the Eric B. & Rakim duo.[1][2] When he was 12 years old, his father went to jail in connection with selling drugs. A year later an older brother was killed near his apartment, which inspired him to take rapping seriously.[3] Mayers had started rapping at age 8,[4] grew up admiring Harlem-based rap group The Diplomats, and also lists among his influences Three 6 Mafia, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, UGK, Run DMC and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.[5][6] After living in a shelter with his mother, and elsewhere around Manhattan, Mayers moved to Elmwood Park, New Jersey.[1]
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Career
2007–11: Beginnings and mixtape

Rocky performing at Coachella, 2012
In 2007, Rocky assembled the hip hop crew A$AP Mob, a collective of rappers, producers, and music video directors.[7] He adopted its A$AP moniker, which has multiple meanings, including “Always Strive and Prosper”, “Assassinating Snitches and Police”, and Rocky’s favorite, “Acronym Symbolizing Any Purpose”.[7]
On July 8, 2011, a compilation titled Deep Purple was released,[8] which according to Rocky, was a compilation of his YouTube hits compiled by a fan in Paris.[9] In August, his first single “Peso” was leaked onto the internet in August 2011 and within weeks received airplay on the high-profile Hot 97 New York radio station. Music videos for “Peso” and “Purple Swag”, the latter from Deep Purple,[8] generated further buzz and resulted in ASAP Rocky signing a reported two $3 million record deal with Sony, RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music. ASAP Rocky released the mixtape LiveLoveA$AP, featuring both songs, in October to critical acclaim.[10][11][12][13][14] On December 5, he was nominated for BBC’s Sound of 2012 poll.[15]
2012–present: Debut album
Beginning in February 2012, Rocky opened for rapper Drake on the latter’s Club Paradise Tour.[16] He plans to release his debut studio album, LongLiveA$AP, in July, along with an ASAP Mob mixtape.[17] The album’s lead single, “Goldie”, was released on April 27.[18
THE HIP HOP CAMP 