A$AP Rocky is coming to Europe's biggest hip-hop festival - Openair Frauenfeld - on Thursday, July 10. The US rapper is one of the defining voices of modern hip-hop and is also known for his influence on fashion and pop culture.
Born in 1988 in Harlem, New York City, Rakim Athelaston Mayers, better known as A$AP Rocky, grew up in a neighborhood deeply rooted in African-American cultural history. Harlem is considered the cradle of artistic movements and also plays a central role in hip-hop history. He started rapping as a child until 2011, when he released the mixtape "Live. Love. A$AP" brought him his first fame and a record deal. His debut album "Long. Live. A$AP" was released in 2013 and went straight to number 1 in the US charts. Further albums such as "At. Long. Last. A$AP" (2015) and "Testing" (2018) showed a steady development. A$AP Rocky can look back on collaborations with renowned artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Cardi B, Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean.
Parallel to his music, he made a name for himself as a fashion figure. His style, which combines streetwear and high fashion, brought him to the front rows of Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Rocky uses fashion not only as a stylistic device, but also as an expression of his attitude. For many young fans, he is a role model in terms of style awareness.
A$AP Rocky has been in a relationship with Rihanna, one of the world's most famous pop stars, since 2020. The two made their relationship public in 2021 after years of speculation. The couple have two children together and give only limited insight into their family life. In the public eye, they are considered a style-defining duo who combine music, fashion and family life.