People are only just realising what A$AP Rocky's name actually stands for
As A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Athelston Mayers, celebrates his 37th birthday today (October 3), it seems like some people are only just finding out the true meaning behind his stage name
A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Athelston Mayers, is celebrating his 37th birthday today (October 3). However, it seems like some people are only just discovering the real meaning behind the US rapper's stage name.
The star, who is in a relationship with Rihanna, was named after one of the all-time greats, so it's only right he became a superstar too. A$AP Rocky was named after American rapper Rakim, whose chart-topping hits include When I Be On Tha Mic, Guess Who's Back and It's Been A Long Time. At the tender age of nine, A$AP Rocky started rapping after learning from his older brother. However when he was 13, his brother was tragically killed in Harlem, New York, inspiring him to take rapping more seriously.
He ended up joining the A$AP Mob crew in 2007, a group made up of rappers, producers, music video directors, and others.
All of the members of the crew adopted A$AP in front of their own stage names. But this has left some fans questioning not only what A$AP stands for, but also why he decided to be known as Rocky.
A statement on American Songwriter reads: "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." After his single Peso was leaked online in 2011, A$AP Rocky signed with Polo Grounds Music and went on to release his debut mixtape, Live. Love. A$AP.
The statement adds: "The mixtape was met with critical acclaim – so much so that he landed a $3 million record deal with Polo Ground Music. His debut studio album, Long. Live. A$AP, was released in 2013 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has since been certified gold by the RIAA."
"The next few years would be a whirlwind of releases, features, tours and more as Rocky rose in the rap ranks thanks to his stellar debut. His most recent album, Testing, was released in 2018, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart."
The rapper announced his relationship with singer Rihanna during an interview with GQ in 2021, and the pair now have three children - RZA Athelston Mayers, 3, and Riot Rose Mayers, 2 and Rocki Irish Mayers, one month .
Commenting on A$AP Rocky's stage name, one Reddit user admitted: "It took me way too long to realise ASAP stands for Always Strive And Prosper."
While another user said: "Just now realised this too."