Social media makes a name for A$AP Rocky (Updated January 9, 2013)

'Social media savvy' is how one might describe Rakim Mayers, better known by his stage name A$AP Rocky. With a career born through message board posts, YouTube videos and a Tumblr account, he went from a relative unknown to the most-hyped rapper on the Internet.

Born and raised in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem, Mayers struggled through his teen years. When he was 12 years old, his father went to jail. A year later his older brother was killed, and Mayers eventually moved from a shelter in Manhattan to a home in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. He aspired to be like Harlem-based rap group The Diplomats, and lists Wu-Tang Clan, Run DMC and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony among his many influences.

By 2007, Mayers had adopted his stage name and assembled the hip-hop crew A$AP Mob, a group of rappers, producers and directors. His career snowballed in 2011, when his first single "Peso" was leaked online that August. Within weeks it received airplay on New York radio stations, and ultimately resulted in a $3 million contract with Sony, RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music. He also released a mixtape, "LiveLoveA$AP" two months later, then spent part of 2012 as the opening act for Drake's Club Paradise Tour.

In December 2012 Mayers pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in regard to a July fight between the rapper and two amateur photographers. Mayers was accused of attacking two men for taking pictures of him while he was yelling at another person. He was also accused of grabbing a camera during the incident, and also faced counts of attempted robbery and assault, but those charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

A$AP Rocky's studio debut will be released on January 15, 2013. He will promote the project with a 40-date national tour, with opening acts Schoolboy Q, Danny Brown, and A$AP Mob.