ASAP Rocky parents are well known in the industry. His birth name Rakim Mayers, has been a significant presence in the American rap scene since the release of his first mixtape, Live.Love.A$AP, in 2011. This initial success led him to secure a recording contract worth $3 million with RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment. His debut album, Long.Live.A$AP, topped the Billboard 200 and was highly praised by both fans and critics.
Rocky, who also goes by the producer name Lord Flacko, saw his second album similarly topping the Billboard charts. Receiving numerous awards like the BET and BET Hip Hop Awards, he has made a significant mark in the music industry.
Who are ASAP Rocky parents?
ASAP Rocky parents are a distinctive figure in the world of hip hop, famed for his avant-garde style in music, penchant for fashion, love for psychedelic substances, and his notable romantic history (with past partners including Kendall Jenner and Iggy Azalea). As the most successful member of the Harlem-based A$AP Mob, a collective of musicians, producers, video directors, and designers, Rocky made a big splash in the music scene in 2011. He secured an impressive $3 million dollar contract with Sony/RCA, quickly becoming a celebrated figure in East Coast hip hop, and his career has been on the rise ever since.
Despite a challenging past marked by street hustling, a father who was imprisoned for drug dealing and the murder of his older brother, Rocky has evolved to show a more artistic and eccentric persona as he moved away from Harlem and into downtown Manhattan’s creative scene. Now a regular attendee at fashion shows, Rocky has partnered with designers like Raf Simons and Jonathan Anderson, and in 2016, he made history as the first person of color to be the face of Dior Homme.
Rocky’s lifestyle and persona are reminiscent of the wild rock stars of the 1970s, which might explain his unexpected 2015 collaboration with Rod Stewart, who Rocky humorously described as a future, white version of himself. He made a distinction in a 2015 interview with Billboard, stating, “You got two types of rappers: The celebrity and the artist. I’m famous, I’m popular — I’m just not a celebrity. I’m an artist. In my sixties, I don’t want to be just remembered as that kid from back in the day that had cool stuff.”
Rocky’s family experienced homelessness due to financial instability
Born on October 3, 1988, in Harlem, New York City, Rocky’s journey was far from smooth. His mother, Renee Black, named him after the famed rap duo, Eric B. & Rakim, reflecting her deep love for hip-hop. Unfortunately, the family faced severe financial struggles, leading them to resort to selling drugs. Rocky’s brother was involved in drug dealing, which led Rocky and his father to spend some time in prison. Despite the risks, selling drugs did not bring enough income, resulting in the family moving frequently and even living in homeless shelters.
Rocky once shared his experiences in a shelter with MTV, saying, “It’s not the end of the world because life is what you make it. [There’s] people out there who got it better but this is a place that helps women get on their feet – with government assistance and before you know it, things are alright.”
The Family History of Asap Rocky
The Asap Rocky parents, a renowned rapper, include his father, Adrian Mayers, and his mother, Renee Black. Adrian, a former entrepreneur with a history in drug trafficking, sadly passed away in the year 2012. Renee Black, an assistant nurse by profession, is the caring mother of Asap.
Asap Rocky belongs to a family of five including his two siblings, an older sister named Erika B. Mayers and a brother, Ricky Mayers, whose untimely demise occurred when Rocky was merely 13 years old.
Rocky’s mother, inspired by the famous hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, named him Rakim. In a documentary, she expressed her fondness for hip-hop music and specifically the duo, which led her to name her son Rakim.
The family faced financial instability, leading them to involve in drug peddling occasionally. This led Rocky and his father into serving time in prison. Moreover, the income from the drug trade was insufficient and posed great risks, pushing the family to relocate frequently and live in homeless shelters for some time.
The family experienced several tragic deaths, including the shooting of Asap’s older brother when Asap was just twelve years old. This incident propelled Asap to devote more to his career in rap. Asap publicly announced his father’s death in 2012 via Twitter. Though he scarcely talks about his father, he regards him as an exemplary figure whenever he does, as revealed in an interview with Vice.
Rocky has dealt with several family tragedies
Rocky has faced numerous personal tragedies in his life, starting with the shooting death of his older brother when he was just 13. This tragedy acted as a catalyst for Rocky to focus more on his rap career. Then, in 2012, his father passed away, whom Rocky often spoke of as an influence, particularly in his style and individuality. In 2016, Rocky grieved the loss of his sister, Erika B. These personal losses are often reflected in his music, such as in his hit song, Purity.
Rocky’s mother fought for his release after his arrest in Sweden
In June 2019, Rocky’s visit to Sweden took an unfortunate turn when he was arrested and detained on charges of simple assault. The situation attracted international attention after his mother and several artists campaigned for his release. Despite diplomatic interventions from the United States, the Swedish government maintained that Rocky must undergo their judicial process. Rocky spent over a month in prison before he was found guilty of assault, but he was released without needing to serve additional time, though he had to pay a fine.
