Born Rakim Athelaston Mayers on October 3, 1988, in Harlem, A$AP Rocky grew up with a deep love for hip-hop. He began rapping at age 9, but life was tough after his father went to prison and his brother was murdered.
These hardships fueled his determination to succeed in music. Rocky supported himself through drug dealing before finding success as a rapper. He later moved to Elmwood, New Jersey, for a peaceful environment to nurture his creativity. Today, A$AP Rocky enjoys a successful career with a net worth of $20 million.
A$AP Rocky, an American rapper, has a net worth of $20 million. As a member of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective, he adopted his stage name from the group. Beyond his music career, Rocky has found success in the fashion industry and as a record producer, working under the alias Lord Flacko.
Born Rakim Athelaston Mayers on October 3, 1988, in Harlem, A$AP Rocky and his sister Erika grew up immersed in hip-hop, named after the legendary rap duo Eric B. & Rakim. Rocky began rapping at age 9 after his family moved from New York City to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Hardships marked his childhood; his father went to prison when Rocky was 12, and a year later, his older brother was murdered. These events fueled Rocky’s determination to succeed in music.
Rocky’s brother played a pivotal role in his life. “He was like the revolutionary big brother,” Rocky told The Fader. “If it weren’t for him making me feel secure, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to discover my talent.”
Despite his talent, Rocky needed to support himself and turned to sell drugs until his rap career took off. He and his family later moved to Elmwood, New Jersey, seeking a safer environment. “I needed peace of mind to be creative,” Rocky explained to The New York Times.
In 2007, Rocky joined A$AP Mob, a collective of friends and fellow emcees, which he considers his extended family. They worked and lived together in Rocky’s New Jersey condo, where he shared space with his mom and Erika.
Rocky’s breakthrough came in July 2011 with the release of his first music video, “Purple Swag,” which went viral. His mixtape track “Peso” leaked shortly after, gaining airplay on New York City’s Hot 97 radio station and earning him mainstream recognition for his lyrical style and fashion sense. This success led to a $3 million record deal, propelling him into the spotlight.
Reflecting on his journey, Rocky remarked to The New York Times, “I would not consider myself a quote unquote real New York rapper. I don’t even like New York rappers.” Yet, his unique blend of music and fashion had already set him on the path to global stardom.
A$AP Rocky’s entrepreneurial ventures have significantly contributed to his financial success. In 2016, he launched his creative agency, AWGE, a platform for collaboration on various projects, including merchandise, music videos, and collaborative albums. Through AWGE, Rocky has partnered with prominent brands such as Under Armour, Needles, and Selfridges to create exclusive collections.
In addition to his entrepreneurial efforts, Rocky has explored acting, appearing in films like “Dope” (2015) and “Monster” (2018). Although his acting career is still budding, these roles have added to his increasing net worth.
A$AP Rocky’s financial success is reflected in his impressive real estate portfolio, with properties in New York City, Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills.
His passion for luxury cars is evident in his collection, which includes high-end models from Porsche, Mercedes, and Range Rover. These assets highlight Rocky’s savvy investments and his taste for the finer things in life.
A$AP Rocky has made notable strides in the music industry with albums such as Long. Live. A$AP in 2013, which achieved double-platinum status and topped the Billboard 200 chart. His success has earned him numerous accolades, including BET Awards, MTV Awards, and World Music Awards. These honors highlight his impact and influence within the music world.
Beyond his music career, A$AP Rocky has made a significant mark in the fashion world. He has been involved in numerous high-profile fashion campaigns, collaborating with esteemed brands like Calvin Klein, Dior Homme, and Guess.
Known for his keen sense of style, Rocky’s influence in fashion has resulted in lucrative deals and endorsements, further boosting his wealth and solidifying his status as a fashion icon.
A$AP Rocky, originally named Rakim Athelaston Mayers, was born on October 3, 1988, in Manhattan, New York. He spent his formative years in Harlem before his family moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania when he was 9. Rocky’s passion for rap music ignited in primary school, and by third grade, he was already penning his first songs.
At the age of 12, Rocky faced significant challenges: his father was imprisoned for drug dealing, and his older brother was murdered. These tragedies forced his family into homeless shelters.
During these tough times, Rocky sold cannabis and crack to support his mother and sister, all while continuing to develop his rap skills. He spent two weeks in prison for drug dealing, where he shared a cell with Cassanova, who would also go on to become a rapper.
A$AP Rocky joined the A$AP Mob Crew, a Harlem-based collective of rappers, producers, and other music enthusiasts, in 2007. His rise to fame began in early 2011 when his single “Peso” made waves on the internet and hit Hot 97, a major radio station in the tri-state area.
Following the success of “Peso,” Rocky released “Purple Swag,” which also gained significant popularity. This success led to a $3 million record deal with Sony, RCA Records, and Polo Grounds Music.
Out of this deal, $1.7 million was allocated for his solo work, while $1.3 million funded his company ASAP Worldwide, co-founded with A&R and executive producer Steven Rodriguez, known as ASAP Yams.
In July 2012, Rocky performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival. That same month, he was set to make his TV debut on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” but an arrest the night before for his alleged involvement in a brawl postponed his performance. He eventually appeared on the show on August 21, performing “Goldie.”
Rocky’s debut album, “Long. Live. A$AP,” was released in 2013 to critical acclaim and debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” 200. He promoted the album with a 40-date national tour, and it was certified Gold on March 16, 2015. In addition to his musical achievements, Rocky launched his ASAP clothing brand in 2013 and collaborated with renowned fashion designer Raf Simons.
After releasing two successful singles in 2014, Rocky’s second studio album, “At. Long. Last. ASAP,” leaked online on May 25, 2015, a week before its official release. Despite the leak, the album received positive reviews and debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” 200, marking his second consecutive #1 album. However, it saw a rapid decline in sales, becoming the lowest-selling album of his career.
In 2018, Rocky collaborated with Gucci Mane and 21 Savage on “Cocky,” a song promoting the film “Uncle Drew.” He released the singles “Bad Company” on March 27 and “A$AP Forever” on April 5. His third album, “Testing,” debuted at #4 on the “Billboard” charts upon its release on May 25, 2018. Rocky has announced his upcoming studio album titled “Don’t Be Dumb.”
Rocky has collaborated with numerous artists throughout his career, including Tyler, the Creator, Drake, Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean, and Lana Del Rey. He has also appeared in several films, such as “Dope,” “Zoolander 2,” “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,” “Monster,” “Stockholm Syndrome,” and “A Man Named Scott.”
A$AP Rocky’s personal life has often been in the spotlight. He dated rapper Iggy Azalea from 2011 to 2012 and was briefly engaged to model Chanel Iman between 2013 and 2014. In May 2021, Rocky announced that he was in a relationship with Rihanna.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named RZA, in May 2022. Rihanna later revealed her second pregnancy during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show, and their second son, Riot, was born in August 2023. Rocky, who once followed a pescatarian diet, has since become a vegan.
In July 2012, A$AP Rocky faced a lawsuit for allegedly attacking a man who witnessed him using drugs in a New York City clothing store. Following the incident, Rocky was arrested for assault after photos surfaced, but he eventually worked out a plea bargain.
On August 31, 2014, Rocky was charged with a misdemeanor and assault after allegedly slapping a woman during a music festival. The case was initially dismissed when a witness failed to appear in court, but the woman later filed a lawsuit in July 2014. The lawsuit was privately settled in April 2015.
In July 2019, Rocky was arrested for aggravated assault in Stockholm, Sweden, following a street altercation with Mustafa Jafari. Videos posted by Rocky showed his entourage asking Jafari and another man to stop following them.
Jafari’s headphones broke during the scuffle, and he hit Rocky’s bodyguard with them. Surveillance footage later showed the bodyguard attacking Jafari. Rocky and his bodyguard were taken into custody due to concerns he might flee or tamper with evidence, which put Rocky’s tour on hold.
Rocky pleaded not guilty to the assault charges. After a trial that ended on August 2, he was released from custody to await the verdict, which came on August 14. Although convicted of assault, he received a suspended prison sentence of one month (time already served) and was ordered to pay $1,270 in damages to the victim.
In April 2022, Rocky was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport by LAPD officers for a potential assault with a deadly weapon related to a Hollywood shooting in November 2021. His bail was set at $550,000, and he was released shortly after.
Detectives searched his home and seized several boxes of evidence. In August 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed formal charges against him.
Born Rakim Mayers in 1988, A$AP Rocky was raised in Harlem, New York City. His journey into music began in 2007 when he joined the A$AP Mob, a Harlem-based collective of rappers, producers, and creatives.
In 2011, Rocky released his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP, available as a free download online, quickly garnered widespread attention. The success of this mixtape led to a lucrative $3 million record deal with Polo Grounds Music, RCA Records, and Sony Music Entertainment.
In January 2013, Rocky released his debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. He continued his success with two more albums: At. Long. Last. A$AP in 2015 and Testing in 2018.
Collaborations with top industry artists like Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Tyler, the Creator, alongside strong album sales, have contributed significantly to his growing net worth.
A$AP Rocky’s net worth of $20 million is a testament to his talent and determination. Rocky’s journey is inspirational, from his early days in Harlem to becoming a global music and fashion icon.
His entrepreneurial spirit, seen through ventures like AWGE and his collaborations with top brands, has significantly contributed to his wealth. His impact on the fashion industry and film roles further solidified his status as a multifaceted artist.
Rocky’s resilience has kept him in the spotlight despite legal challenges, continually pushing boundaries. As he continues to evolve, A$AP Rocky’s influence on music, fashion, and culture shows no signs of waning.
His story is a powerful reminder of what passion and perseverance can achieve. Rocky’s legacy is poised to grow even further with future projects and collaborations.
Judith Harvey is a seasoned finance editor with over two decades of experience in the financial journalism industry. Her analytical skills and keen insight into market trends quickly made her a sought-after expert in financial reporting.
