Twitter: @asvpxrocky
Hometown: Harlem, NY
Claim to Fame:- A handful of hot singles (i.e. "Peso" and "Purple Swag")
- Co-signed by Drake
Rakim Mayers is a Harlem native who spent a good chunk of his life stuffing his face with Houston rap culture the same way New York's Wu-Tang gorged on Eastern philosophy. Because of Rocky's long-distance affair with southern rap, his music is imbued with a fluid style that always seems to be evolving in your ear. Check 2011's LiveLoveA$AP for proof of Rocky's all-style style. He invokes the spirit of UGK, name checks Harlem, and tips his hat to OutKast on the cover of LiveLoveA$AP. Rocky represents a new rank of rappers with no eyes for regional boundaries. It's not that everything he brings to the table is groundbreaking -- Rocky, like everyone on this list, is also a sybarite who enjoys weed, wine and the company of pretty women. But what he brings is an extremely fresh style and a crisp flow laved in a pool of lush music. Add that to his $3 million contract with Polo Grounds and his friendship with Clams Casino (aka God's gift to hip-hop), and you're looking at 2012's most exciting rap voice.
Download: LiveLoveA$AP