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Kevin Abstract
American rapper and singer (born 1996) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Clifford Ian Simpson[3] (born July 16, 1996), known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter, best known as the founder and de facto leader of hip-hop group Brockhampton. With Brockhampton, Abstract released eight studio albums from 2017 to 2022. He has released solo work since 2009, and self-released his debut albums MTV1987 (2014) and American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story (2016) to significant attention from online blogs and music publications. He made his major label debut with Arizona Baby in 2019. After Brockhampton disbanded in 2022, he released Blanket (2023) and a mixtape, Glue (2024). His fifth studio album, Blush, is set to be released on June 27, 2025.
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Along with his work in Brockhampton, Abstract has served as a songwriter, producer, and collaborator for several other artists. In 2020, Abstract and Romil Hemnani found Video Store, a record label and apparel company that signed Dominic Fike, Laundry Day, the Blossom, Christian Alexander, and Vanillaroma, among others, before dissolving in 2023. In 2025, he founded the Houston-based collective Blush, and co-founded the record label Juno with Fike.
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Early life
Abstract was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 16, 1996.[4] Abstract's mother was distant during his childhood, not even knowing what her profession was. As Abstract began to realize his sexuality, he isolated himself from his family, feeling ashamed. It is speculated that this was one of the reasons that he ran away from home, and stated that his family members are "extremely religious" Mormons.[5][6] 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.[7] In high school, Abstract met and began making music with his future Brockhampton band mates Ameer Vann, Matt Champion, Merlyn Wood, and Joba.[8]
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Music career
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2009-2022: Brockhampton
In 2009, at thirteen years old, Abstract founded the internet music collective AliveSinceForever, after recruiting members from a Kanye West fan forum. In 2014, AliveSinceForever reformed as Brockhampton alongside a relocation to San Marcos, Texas. In 2017, the group moved to Los Angeles and released their critically acclaimed debut albums Saturation, Saturation II, and Saturation III, and in early 2018 they signed a record deal with RCA Records.[9] Their major label debut, Iridescence (2018), debuted atop the Billboard 200, while Ginger (2019) produced the double-platinum single "Sugar".[10][9][11][12] Brockhampton announced their intention to disband before releasing their sixth studio album, Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021). In 2022, the group disbanded after releasing their final studio albums, The Family and TM.[13]
2013-2015: MTV1987
In May 2013, Abstract released the single "Angels", a collaboration with his AliveSinceForever and Brockhampton bandmate Dom McLennon.[14] In July, he was a featured artist on Ameer Vann's single "Rabbits".[15] In September, Abstract released his eponymous debut EP.[16] In 2014, Abstract and Brockhampton producer Romil Hemnani began work on the former's debut studio album.[17] From April to May, he released the singles "Save" and "Drugs" in promotion of the album.[18][19] MTV1987 was released on July 15, 2014, to positive attention from several music blogs.[17][20][21][22][23] In November, he released a music video for "Hell/Heroina", which was funded using over $3,000 accured from a Kickstarter campaign.[24][25] The music video for "Save" premiered on June 23, 2015.[26]
2015-17: American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story
In 2015, Abstract began working on his sophomore album, Death of a Supermodel. In April, he released the singles "Not on DOASM 01", featuring Ameer Vann and Matt Champion and "Not on DOASM 2", featuring Champion, two tracks that were cut from Death of a Supermodel.[27][28] By late 2015, Death of a Supermodel was reannounced as They Shoot Horses, and was given a 2016 release date.[29] In November, the lead single from the album, "Echo", was released alongside an accompanyig music video.[30][31] In September 2016, the album was retitled yet again, to American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, alongside the release of the single "Empty", alongisde a self-directed music video.[32] On November 2, Abstract released the singles "Yellow" and "Miserable America" through Beats 1, along with announcing the album's release date of November 18.[33] In December, Abstract hosted a free one-off concert in Los Angeles, The All-American Drive-in Prom, with special guests Tyler, the Creator and Jaden Smith.[34] In February 2017, he embarkd on the Death of a Supermodel Tour in support of American Boyfriend.[34] Also in 2017, Abstract toured alongside rock band The Neighbourhood.[9]
2019: Arizona Baby
In April 2019, Abstract began cryptically teasing a new project on social media. On April 8, he officially announced his third studio album, Arizona Baby, alongside a music video for the track "Big Wheels".[35] On April 11, he released an EP, also titled Arizona Baby, consisting of the first three tracks from the upcoming album.[36][37][38] On April 18, the next part of the album, Ghettbaby, was released.[38] On April 25, Arizona Baby was released in full, alongisde a music video for "Peach", featuring Dominic Fike, Joba, and Bearface.[39]
2021-2023: Blanket
In March 2021, Abstract and his Brockhampton band mate Romil Hemnani found the record label and apparel company Video Store.[40] In April, he and Hemnani contributed to the debut EP by the Blossom, which was released on Video Store on April 6.[41] On July 16, Abstract released the single "Slugger", featuring fellow rappers Slowthai and Snot.[42] On August 19, he followed up "Slugger" with "Sierra Nights", featuring frequent collaborator Ryan Beatty.[43]
On October 4, 2023, nearly one year after Brockhampton disbanded, Abstract released "Blanket", the lead single from the album of the same name, a week after playing suprises shows at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles and Baby's All Right in Brooklyn.[44] The next single, "What Should I Do?", was released on October 18, followed by "Running Out" and "Madonna" on October 25, and November 1, respectively.[45][46][47] Blanket was released on November 3, as Abstract's fourth solo album on RCA and Video Store.[47]
2024-present: Glue and Blush
In 2024, Abstract released a series of singles, including "Tenessee" featuring Lil Nas X, "Creek" featuring Nourished by Time, "You're My Type of Pleasure", "Diamonds & Cash" featuring Lil Yachty and HVN, and "Big Dog", as part of an unrealized project titled Glue. Although not officially released, these tracks were unofficially released by Abstract in the form of YouTube and SoundCloud uploads.[48][49][50]
In May 2025, Abstract began cryptically teasing a new project with the phrase "June 2025" attached to images of various friends and collborators. On May 29, he unofficially released the standalone track "Ghetto Graduation", in collaboration with Lil Saint and former Brockhampton member Ameer Vann.[51][52] On June 7, Abstract officially announced his fifth studio album, Blush, recorded alongside a collective of Houston artists also known as Blush. At the same time, he released the lead single and music video "Geezer", reuniting him with Dominic Fike.[53] Blush is currently set to be released on June 27, and includes features from Fike, Vann, JPEGMafia, and Danny Brown, along with several of Brockhampton's former members and local Houston musicians.
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Other ventures
In 2021, Abstract started the clothing brand and record label Video Store with fellow Brockhampton member Romil Hemnani.[54] Aside from releasing Abstract's fourth project, Blanket (2023), the label also released projects by the Blossom, Christian Alexander, and SoGone SoFlexy.[55][56][57] Video Store Apparel released its debut spring and summer clothing line, "Warhead", on July 16, 2021.[58] Video Store's fall and winter 2021 collection, "Our Good Dreams Go Into the Sky", was released on November 19, 2021.[59][60]
Abstract served as a creative consultant on the second season of the HBO teen drama Euphoria.[61]
Influences
Abstract said his influences for MTV1987 were Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, and Kid Cudi.[62] 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.[63]
Personal life
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.[64] As of 2022, Abstract is dating Brockhampton collaborator and stylist Nick Holiday.[65]
Selected discography
Studio albums
Demo albums
With Brockhampton
- Saturation (2017)
- Saturation II (2017)
- Saturation III (2017)
- Iridescence (2018)
- Ginger (2019)
- Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021)
- The Family (2022)
- TM (2022)
Singles
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Filmography
Music videos
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Notes
- "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.
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References
External links
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