American rapper and singer (born 1996)
Kevin Abstract
|
---|
![Abstract performing in 2018 in Quebec City](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/FEQ_July_2018_Brockhampton_%2843017650620%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-FEQ_July_2018_Brockhampton_%2843017650620%29_%28cropped%29.jpg) |
|
Birth name
| Clifford Ian Simpson
|
---|
Also known as
| - Kevin Cinema
- Milo
- goshpixie
- Billy Star
- Ian Simpson
|
---|
Born
| (
1996-07-16
)
July 16, 1996
(age 27)
Corpus Christi, Texas
, U.S.
|
---|
Genres
| |
---|
Occupation(s)
| |
---|
Years active
| 2009?present
|
---|
Formerly of
| |
---|
|
Website
| kevinabstract
.co
|
---|
Musical artist
Clifford Ian Simpson
[3]
(born July 16, 1996), known by his stage name
Kevin Abstract
, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter
[4]
known for his role as a founding member of
Brockhampton
. He released his debut album,
MTV1987
, in 2014 to critical acclaim, and received attention from a number of major music blogs and magazine publications. His second album,
American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story
, was released in November 2016, his third,
Arizona Baby
, was released in April 2019, and his fourth,
Blanket
, was released in November 2023.
Early life
[
edit
]
Abstract was born in
Corpus Christi, Texas
.
[5]
Abstract was not close with his mother, not even knowing what her profession was. As Abstract began to realize his sexuality, he isolated himself from his family, feeling ashamed. Many speculate that this is one of the reasons that he ran away from home.
[6]
He has stated that his family members are "extremely religious"
Mormons
.
[7]
Abstract began producing music at 11 and ran away from home at 15, staying at a friend's house for a year before moving to
Georgia
to live with his sister.
[8]
Music career
[
edit
]
2014:
MTV1987
[
edit
]
At the beginning of 2014, Abstract began working on his debut album with his in-house record producer, Romil.
[9]
On April 1, 2014, he released the record's first single, entitled "Save".
[10]
The second single from the album, "Drugs", was released on May 6, 2014,
[11]
with the music video following around a month later.
[12]
The album was released on July 15, 2014, and was met with positive reviews from a number of music blogs, such as
Billboard
,
[9]
Complex
,
[13]
Spin
,
[14]
Pigeons & Planes
,
[15]
and
2DopeBoyz
.
[16]
After the release of
MTV1987
,
Abstract began working on the music video for the song "Hell/Heroina", using more than $3,000 accrued from fans through a
Kickstarter
campaign.
[17]
The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014.
[18]
Abstract also did a 24-hour live stream on November 1,
[19]
leading up to the video release, where viewers watched both himself and his computer screen as the audience listened to him talk, observed him interact with Twitter users, and watched movies together. As of November 2018, it has been removed from most major download and streaming services.
2015:
Death of a Supermodel
and
NOWIFIII
[
edit
]
On January 15, 2015, Abstract informed fans via his Twitter page that his second record was to be titled
Death of a Supermodel
and that it would be released later in the year.
[20]
However, this album was later discarded. Abstract has announced that he is now working on a different album,
They Shoot Horses,
a part of the Death of a Supermodel trilogy.
On May 30, Abstract and other
Brockhampton
members, bearface., Romil Hemnani and Henock Sileshi released a side project EP titled "MEMORIAL DAY" under new personas and the "NOWIFIII" name due to the 2015 Texas floods making them lose their Wi-Fi.
On June 23, Abstract released a video for "Save", directed by Ian Gilner, Henock Sileshi and Franklin Mendez.
[21]
In November, the first single from
They Shoot Horses
, "Echo" was released, along with a music video directed by Tyler Mitchell.
2016?2017:
American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story
and Viceland
[
edit
]
In March 2016, Abstract joined alternative band
The Neighbourhood
on a week-long tour through England, opening up shows in Portsmouth, Birmingham, Manchester, and London. The final show of the tour was live streamed via the Periscope app, in which he also teased his new album
They Shoot Horses
, expected to be released in 2016. He also provided confirmation that his next single would be called
Empty
.
In April, Abstract announced that he would be going on tour with The Neighbourhood again, but this time in the US, during May and June. Abstract exclusively performed new songs from his upcoming album.
At the end of June, Abstract announced that he had changed the title of his upcoming album to
American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story
and reassured fans that it would still be coming later that year.
Abstract, along with fellow members of Brockhampton, appeared in the
Viceland
television series
American Boyband
, which premiered on June 8, 2017. The series followed Abstract on his first headlining tour across North America, while also capturing moments of other Brockhampton members still at home in South Central, Los Angeles.
Abstract is currently managed by longtime manager and business partner Anish Ochani as well as Christian and Kelly Clancy of 4 Strikes.
Brockhampton
[
edit
]
Near the end of 2014, AliveSinceForever disbanded.
[22]
Out of that project, the musical group Brockhampton was formed by Abstract and others he met on the
Kanye West
fan forum KanyeToThe.
[23]
[24]
In January 2015, Brockhampton's debut single "Bet I" was released.
[25]
The video for the song was released on March 25, 2015, and was directed by fellow Brockhampton members HK Covers and Franklin Mendez.
[26]
On June 16, Brockhampton released a second single "Hero".
[27]
At the end of June, it was announced that Brockhampton had won VFiles Loud, an online talent contest aiming to discover the best up-and-coming collectives.
[28]
Brockhampton was given the opportunity to premiere a professionally directed music video for their third single on MTV, as well as having it released through the independent recording label
Fool's Gold Records
. The single, "Dirt", was premiered through
Apple
's Beats 1 Radio and was released on
iTunes
a few days after.
[29]
On March 30, Brockhampton released their first collective mixtape
All-American Trash
. On April 22, they also released a documentary showcasing the making of the project.
In 2017, Brockhampton released two albums (
Saturation
and
Saturation II
) in the summer of 2017, both to widespread critical acclaim. Three days before the release of Saturation II, Abstract announced via Twitter that a third album titled
Saturation III
would also be released, marking Brockhampton's third full studio album of the calendar year.
[30]
Saturation III
was released December 15, which also received critical acclaim. Although it was stated by the group that
Saturation III
would be their final studio album, Brockhampton announced that their fourth studio album,
Team Effort
, was expected to be released in 2018. However,
Team Effort
was delayed indefinitely until 2018 following the group's decision to create another album,
Puppy
, to be released in its place, only for it to be delayed following the sexual assault allegations on fellow Brockhampton member Ameer Vann.
[31]
On September 21, 2018, Brockhampton released their fourth studio album,
Iridescence
, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 10 days. They also released merchandise to promote both the upcoming album and their upcoming tour, named
I'll be there
.
[32]
On August 23, 2019, their fifth studio album,
Ginger
, was released to an overall positive reception.
[33]
2018?2019:
Arizona Baby
[
edit
]
In June 2018, Abstract added a picture with the text "ambfII" to his Instagram story, presumably standing for "American Boyfriend II". Later that year, in October, he tweeted the words "american boyfriend",
[34]
seemingly teasing something. On March 19, 2019, Abstract tweeted a photo, which appears to be the cover of a new album or a single.
[35]
He also changed his profile picture and his header image. In early April, he expressed in a series of now deleted tweets that once he released as much music as he can in 2019, he would like to retire and focus on filmmaking. Throughout the following weeks, Abstract released more teasers for his upcoming third studio album,
Arizona Baby
. With the album to be released in three separate parts, Abstract released a new single titled "Big Wheels" on April 9, 2019, with the first part of
Arizona Baby
releasing just two days later on April 11, along with a music video for "Georgia".
[36]
[37]
On the same day, Abstract announced the second part to the
Arizona Baby
album,
Ghettobaby
, released April 18, with a music video for "Baby Boy".
[38]
Finally, the full album was released on April 25, alongside a music video for the song "Peach".
[39]
2020?present:
Blanket
[
edit
]
On January 18, 2021, Abstract teased a song titled "It's Alright". He later teased another song called "Sierra Nights" on February 6, 2021. He would go on to preview the tracks in full in an Instagram stream, and played snippets of 3 other songs on February 23, 2021.
On May 16, 2021, Abstract posted snippets of 2 songs, "Tucker" and "Seven Days a Week", the latter being worked on with
Brockhampton
member HK. On May 22, he shared a snippet for "4Sure". On May 24, Abstract posted a picture of him and a text saying "1978". He teased the track "Everything" the following day. A different version of "Everything", with pitched up vocals and drums, was teased on June 4, 2021.
On July 16, 2021, Abstract released a single titled, "Slugger", featuring
$NOT
and
slowthai
. On August 18, 2021, he released the single, "Sierra Nights", alongside
Ryan Beatty
.
[40]
On October 5, 2023, Abstract released the single "Blanket", a more rock-inspired cut with no traditional rap verses. The track was paired with a music video, the first of which to not be released on Brockhampton's official YouTube channel. On October 11, he officially announced that his album
Blanket
would be released on November 3.
Other ventures
[
edit
]
In 2021, Abstract started the clothing brand Video Store Apparel (VSA) with fellow Brockhampton member Romil Hemnani.
[41]
Stylist Nick Holiday is a frequent collaborator.
[42]
Abstract also became a creative consultant in the second season of the HBO teen drama,
Euphoria
.
Influences
[
edit
]
Abstract said his influences for
MTV1987
were
Frank Ocean
,
Justin Timberlake
, and
Kid Cudi
.
[43]
Abstract has described
Kanye West
,
Pink Floyd
,
Radiohead
,
Childish Gambino
,
Outkast
,
Lana Del Rey
and
Tyler, the Creator
as influences on his music, with Tyler's group,
Odd Future
, being a large point of reference and inspiration for Brockhampton.
[44]
Personal life
[
edit
]
Abstract
came out
as gay in 2016 and his lyrics often mention his sexuality. He has stated he will rap about being gay as long as he can imagine a fan in need of a voice.
[45]
As of 2022, Abstract is dating Brockhampton collaborator and stylist
Nick Holiday
.
[46]
Selected discography
[
edit
]
Studio albums
[
edit
]
With Brockhampton
[
edit
]
Singles
[
edit
]
Filmography
[
edit
]
Year
|
Title
|
Director
|
Role
|
Medium
|
Notes
|
2014
|
mtv1987
|
No
|
Himself
|
Documentary
|
|
2015
|
Dreams Die Young
|
No
|
Himself
|
Short Series
|
2016
|
All-American Trash Documentary
|
No
|
Himself
|
Documentary
|
2017
|
Helmet Boy
|
Yes
|
Helmet Boy
|
Short Series
|
American Boyband
|
No
|
Himself
|
Documentary Series
|
Jennifer's Tour, A Live Show By Brockhampton
|
No
|
Himself
|
Documentary Series
|
Billy Star
|
Yes
|
Helmet Boy
|
Short Film
|
Saturation Documenatary
|
No
|
Himself
|
Documentary
|
2018
|
Love Your Parents Tour
|
No
|
Himself
|
Documentary Series
|
The Longest Summer in America
|
Yes
[A]
|
Himself
|
Documentary
|
2019
|
Keeping The Band
|
Yes
|
Himself
|
Series
|
2020-2021
|
In-Focus
|
Yes
|
None
|
Interview Series
|
2021
|
Euphoria
|
No
|
None
|
Series
|
Creative Consultant
|
2022
|
Christmas Special Vol. 1
|
No
|
Himself
|
Short Film
|
Executive Producer
|
Music videos
[
edit
]
Notes
[
edit
]
- ^
Credited under the alias Dude Heifetz.
- ^
"The 1-9-9-9 Is Coming" serves as a music video and teaser for the track
Big Wheels
on
Arizona Baby
.
- ^
"I Got Georgia On My Mind" serves as a music video and teaser for the track
Georgia
on
Arizona Baby
.
- ^
A music video for the song "Bruise" by
Ryan Beatty
.
- ^
"This is Dominic Fike" is an alternate music video for the single
3 Nights
by
Dominic Fike
.
- ^
Due to
NSFW
content and nudity included in the original music video, an alternate version was released intended for a younger audience.
- ^
"Brockhampton Presents: Count On Me" is a music video composed of the tracks "Count On Me" and "Roberto's Interlude" from their album
Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Simpson, Paul.
"Kevin Abstract Biography, Songs, & Albums"
.
AllMusic
. Retrieved
August 4,
2022
.
- ^
Cea, Max (October 4, 2019).
"The Oral History of Brockhampton... as Told by Brockhampton"
.
GQ
. Retrieved
April 28,
2024
.
- ^
Slingerland, Calum (May 24, 2018).
"Brockhampton's Kevin Abstract Addresses Ameer Vann's Sexual Misconduct Allegations"
.
Exclaim!
. Retrieved
January 22,
2019
.
- ^
"Features"
.
Deezer
. Retrieved
February 3,
2018
.
- ^
"The best thing Kevin Abstract ever did for himself was run away from home"
.
For The Win
. February 3, 2016
. Retrieved
March 7,
2018
.
- ^
Haithcoat, Rebecca (April 6, 2017).
"Kevin Abstract: 'When you mention Bieber, Lorde, One Direction: I want to be on that list'
"
.
The Guardian
.
ISSN
0261-3077
. Retrieved
December 25,
2017
.
- ^
"Brockhampton Takes A Trip Down Memory Lane - American Boyband - YouTube"
. Retrieved
July 30,
2020
– via YouTube.
- ^
"Meet Kevin Abstract, The Post-Everything Kid Making Songs For Outcasts"
.
The FADER
. Retrieved
December 25,
2017
.
- ^
a
b
Ramirez, Erika (July 15, 2014).
"Kevin Abstract, 'MTV1987': Exclusive Album Stream"
.
Billboard
.
- ^
Kevin Abstract ? SAVE
- ^
"Drugs ? Single by Kevin Abstract"
.
Pigeons & Planes
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract "Drugs" Video | Mass Appeal"
. Archived from
the original
on December 8, 2015
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
.
- ^
X, Dharmic (July 18, 2014).
"Stream Kevin Abstract's 'MTV1987' Album"
.
Complex
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract, MTV1987 (Self-Released) ? Kevin Abstract Mtv1987_1 ? 4"
.
Spin (magazine)
. Archived from
the original
on April 17, 2015
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
.
- ^
Larew, Tim (July 15, 2014).
"Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album 'MTV1987'
"
.
Pigeons & Planes
.
Complex Networks
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract ? MTV1987 (Album)"
.
2DOPEBOYZ
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract ? Hell / Heroina Music Video"
.
Kickstarter
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
Reed, Ashley N. (November 4, 2014).
"Premiere: Watch Kevin Abstract's 'Hell/Heroina' Video"
.
Complex
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
.
- ^
Abstract, Kevin [@kevinabstract] (November 2, 2014).
"kevinabstract.com 24 Hour Stream Of My Desktop. Begins Now"
(
Tweet
)
. Retrieved
November 29,
2015
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
Abstract, Kevin [@kevinabstract] (January 16, 2015).
"the name of the 2nd album is death of a supermodel"
(
Tweet
)
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
"Watch the Premiere of Kevin Abstract's Unsettling "Save" Video"
. Retrieved
September 1,
2015
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract Leaves ASF"
.
Imgur
. Retrieved
September 2,
2015
.
- ^
"Anybody wanna make a band?"
.
KanyeToThe
. August 15, 2018
. Retrieved
November 20,
2018
.
- ^
"One of hip-hop's most intriguing new crews, BROCKHAMPTON, born of the ashes of AliveSinceForever"
.
Pigeons & Planes
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
"Check Out BrockHampton's (Kevin Abstract and Friends) New Track 'Bet I'
"
.
The Early Registration
. January 28, 2015
. Retrieved
September 1,
2015
.
- ^
"Video Premiere: Brockhampton ? "Bet I"
"
. Retrieved
September 1,
2015
.
- ^
"PREMIERE: Fall in Love with Brockhampton's Blissed Out "Hero" | NOISEY"
. June 16, 2015
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
"Announcing The VFiles Loud! Winner: Brockhampton"
.
VFILES
. Archived from
the original
on June 20, 2015
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
"Brockhampton ? "Dirt"
"
. Retrieved
August 31,
2015
.
- ^
"Brockhampton Announces 'Saturation 3'; Releases First Single"
.
HotNewHipHop
. Retrieved
September 18,
2017
.
- ^
McGarrigle, Lia (May 24, 2018).
"Brockhampton to Delay 'PUPPY' Following Ameer Vann Abuse Allegations"
.
Highsnobiety
. Retrieved
November 20,
2018
.
- ^
"BROCKHAMPTON"
.
brckhmptn.com
. Retrieved
September 13,
2018
.
- ^
Moore, Sam (August 23, 2019).
"Listen to Brockhampton's new album 'Ginger'
"
.
NME
.
- ^
Abstract, Kevin [@kevinabstract] (October 16, 2018).
"american boyfriend"
(
Tweet
)
. Retrieved
March 22,
2019
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
Abstract, Kevin [@kevinabstract] (March 20, 2019).
"pic.twitter.com/G1FP3V5ask"
(
Tweet
)
. Retrieved
March 22,
2019
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
BROCKHAMPTON (April 8, 2019),
THE 1-9-9-9 IS COMING
, retrieved
April 10,
2019
- ^
BROCKHAMPTON (April 10, 2019),
I Got Georgia On My Mind
, retrieved
April 11,
2019
- ^
Abstract, Kevin [@kevinabstract] (April 11, 2019).
"Ghettobaby Next week"
(
Tweet
)
. Retrieved
April 11,
2019
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract shares full 'ARIZONA baby' album"
.
DIY
. April 25, 2019
. Retrieved
May 27,
2020
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract shares new solo track 'SIERRA NIGHTS' feat. Ryan Beatty: Stream"
.
Consequence
. August 19, 2021
. Retrieved
July 29,
2022
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract Drops Video for 'Sierra Nights' f/ Ryan Beatty"
.
Complex
. Retrieved
February 22,
2022
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract and Nick Holiday Dream of the Last Blockbuster"
.
PAPER
. November 20, 2021
. Retrieved
February 22,
2022
.
- ^
"Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"
"
.
Pigeons & Planes
. Retrieved
November 28,
2015
.
- ^
"Zane Lowe and BROCKHAMPTON"
.
Apple Music
. Retrieved
December 23,
2017
.
- ^
Chesman, Donna-Claire (August 22, 2017).
"How Many Times Does Kevin Abstract Need to Rap About Being Gay?"
.
DJBooth
. Retrieved
April 30,
2018
.
- ^
Sim, Bernardo (September 14, 2022).
"Kevin Abstract Shares New Picture with His Boyfriend Nick Holiday"
.
Out
. Retrieved
April 13,
2024
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract Chart History: Billboard 200"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
May 6,
2023
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
May 6,
2023
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract Chart History: Top Rap Albums"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
May 6,
2023
.
- ^
"ARIA CHART WATCH #523"
.
auspOp
. May 4, 2019
. Retrieved
May 6,
2023
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract Chart History: Canadian Albums"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
May 6,
2023
.
- ^
"Kevin Abstract and Lil Nas X team up for sultry new single 'Tennessee'
"
.
NME
. May 3, 2024
. Retrieved
May 5,
2024
.
External links
[
edit
]
|
---|
- Ameer Vann
- Rodney Tenor
- Albert Gordon
- Anish Ochani
|
Studio albums
| |
---|
Singles
| |
---|
Other songs
| |
---|
Tours
| |
---|
Related articles
| |
---|