In order to watch videos or listen to audio you need JavaScript enabled and the Adobe Flash player.
Find out more from Webwise.
Rakim Mayers was born in Harlem in 1988. Named after fellow New Yorker and legendary Eric B collaborator, young Mayers first remembers rapping at the tender age of eight. By 20 he'd taken in the influences of Bone Thugs-n Harmony, DMX, Wu-Tang Clan and Houston rap to form his own style apart from his New York contemporaries.
By then Rakim had joined the A$AP (Always Strive and Prosper) crew, taking on the name A$AP Rocky. Amongst this group of producers, designers and MCs he created debut released Pe$o and Purple Swag, capturing the attention of Fader Magazine, Stereogum, influential New York radio station Hot 97 and a host of leading rappers, most notably Drake, who invited Rocky on tour.
It wasn't long before RCA-distributed Polo Grounds had snapped the rapper up on a combined $3m deal for his solo work and A$AP Worldwide. This afforded the ambitious Mayers the opportunity to sign artists of his own. In October 2011 he released the much lauded mixtape LiveLoveA$AP, which Rocky claims is "better than a lot of people's albums", and we await a full longplayer in early 2012.
Read the full article 04/01/12
"The first time most people heard of A$AP Rocky was in July last year when he uploaded the chop and screw-styled 'Purple Swag' onto YouTube..."
Read the full article 31/10/11
"Earlier this year ASAP Rocky blew our minds with the internet smash "Purple Swag" and its undeniably charming video..."
Read the full article 28/10/11
"When 23-year-old Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky releases his debut tape, LIVELOVEA$AP, on Monday, it'll mark a real hip-hop event..."
Scrobbles 105707 - Listeners 14456
Scrobbles 65378 - Listeners 8115
Scrobbles 56659 - Listeners 7015
Scrobbles 50930 - Listeners 6984
Scrobbles 49565 - Listeners 6614
BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Comments