He is a well-known rapper with a string of awards - but many A$AP Rocky fans have no idea how the iconic artist got his stage name. A$AP Rocky , whose real name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was named after the legendary American Rakim, known for hits like When I Be On Tha Mic, Guess Who's Back and It's Been A Long Time. At a tender age of nine, A$AP Rocky began his journey into rap , guided by his older brother.
However, when he turned 13, his brother was tragically killed in Harlem, New York, which spurred him to take rapping more seriously. In 2007, he joined the A$AP Mob crew, a collective of rappers, producers, music video directors, and other creatives. All members of the crew adopted A$AP as part of their stage names, leading some fans to question what A$AP stands for and why he chose the moniker Rocky.
Read More Related Articles Most valuable Pokémon cards revealed – you might be sitting on £16,000 fortune Read More Related Articles Barber's dramatic transformation leaves man unrecognisable after 24 years with long hair According to a statement on American Songwriter : "The name was conjured up when the rapper was back home in New York City. His entire crew had A$AP preceding their name. The collective of rappers, directors, fashion designers, and other artists was dubbed the A$AP Mob.
The acronym stands for 'Always Strive and Prosper.' Rocky was a nickname his mother gave him when he was younger. Put the two together and you have an unforgettable rap alter ego.
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