Kevin Abstract

Kevin Abstract
Birth name Clifford Ian Fernando Simpson
Born (1996-07-16) July 16, 1996
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer-songwriter
  • director
Years active 2009–present
Associated acts
Website kevinabstract.com
brckhmptn.com

Clifford Ian Fernando Simpson (born July 16, 1996), known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and director.[1] Abstract is a founding member of hip-hop group and boy band Brockhampton. Abstract released his debut album, MTV1987, in 2014, 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.

Early life

Abstract was born Ian Simpson in Corpus Christi, Texas.[2] Abstract never met his father and was not close with his mother, not even knowing what her profession was.[3] Abstract began producing music at 11 and ran away from home at 15, moving to Georgia to live with his sister.[4]

Music career

2014: MTV1987

At the beginning of 2014, Abstract began working on his debut album with his in-house record producer, Romil.[5] On April 1, 2014 he released the record's first single, entitled "Save".[6] The second single from the album, "Drugs" was released on May 6, 2014,[7] with the music video following around a month later.[8] The album was released on July 15, 2014 and was met with positive reviews from a number of music blogs, such as Billboard,[5] Complex,[9] Spin[10] Pigeons & Planes,[11] and 2DopeBoyz.[12]

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.[13] The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014.[14] Abstract also did a 24-hour live stream on November 1,[15] 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 him on Twitter, and watched movies together.

2015: Death of a Supermodel

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.[16] 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 June 23, Abstract released a video for "Save", directed by Ian Gilner, Henock Sileshi, & Franklin Mendez.[17] In November, the first single from They Shoot Horses, "Echo" was released, along with a music video directed by Tyler Mitchell.

2016: American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story and Viceland

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 USA, 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 long time manager & business partner Anish Ochani and Christian & Kelly Clancy of 4 Strikes.

Brockhampton

Near the end of 2014, AliveSinceForever disbanded.[18] Out of that project, the musical group Brockhampton was formed by Abstract and others he met in an online forum.[19]

In January 2015, Brockhampton's debut single "Bet I" was released.[20] The video for the song was released on March 25, 2015, and was directed by fellow Brockhampton members HK Covers and Franklin Mendez.[21]

On June 16, Brockhampton released a second single "Hero".[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

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.[25] Saturation III was released December 15 with 15 songs. Shortly after the release of Saturation III, Brockhampton announced that their fourth studio album, Team Effort, expected to be released in 2018. However, Team Effort was delayed until 2019 following the group's decision to create another album, Puppy, to be released in its place.

On September 21, 2018, Brockhampton released Iridescence. They also released merchandise to promote both the upcoming album and their upcoming tour, the "i'll be there" tour.[26]

Influences

Abstract says his influences for MTV1987 were Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, and Kid Cudi.[27] Abstract has also suggested that Kanye West, Pink Floyd, Childish Gambino, and Tyler, the Creator are influences on his music. Tyler's group, Odd Future being a large point of reference and inspiration for Brockhampton.[28]

Personal life

Abstract came out as gay in 2016 and is very open about the matter on his records, saying he'll rap about being gay as long as he can imagine a fan in need of a voice.[29]

Solo discography

Studio albums

With Brockhampton

References

  1. ↑ "Features". Deezer. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  2. ↑ "The best thing Kevin Abstract ever did for himself was run away from home". For The Win. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
  3. ↑ Haithcoat, Rebecca (2017-04-06). "Kevin Abstract: 'When you mention Bieber, Lorde, One Direction: I want to be on that list'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  4. ↑ "Meet Kevin Abstract, The Post-Everything Kid Making Songs For Outcasts". The FADER. Retrieved 2017-12-25.
  5. 1 2 "Kevin Abstract, 'MTV1987': Exclusive Album Stream". Billboard.
  6. ↑ Kevin Abstract – SAVE
  7. ↑ "Drugs – Single by Kevin Abstract". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  8. ↑ "Kevin Abstract "Drugs" Video | Mass Appeal". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  9. ↑ "Stream Kevin Abstract's "MTV1987" Album". Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  10. ↑ "Kevin Abstract, MTV1987 (Self-Released) – Kevin Abstract Mtv1987_1 – 4". Spin. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  11. ↑ "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  12. ↑ "Kevin Abstract – MTV1987 (Album)". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  13. ↑ "Kevin Abstract – Hell / Heroina Music Video". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  14. ↑ "Premiere: Watch Kevin Abstract's "Hell/Heroina" Video". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  15. ↑ "kevin abstract on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  16. ↑ "the name of the 2nd album is death of a supermodel". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  17. ↑ "Watch the Premiere of Kevin Abstract's Unsettling "Save" Video". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  18. ↑ "Kevin Abstract Leaves ASF". Imgur. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  19. ↑ "One of hip-hop's most intriguing new crews, BROCKHAMPTON, born of the ashes of AliveSinceForever". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  20. ↑ "Check Out BrockHampton's (Kevin Abstract and Friends) New Track 'Bet I'". The Early Registration. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  21. ↑ "Video Premiere: Brockhampton – "Bet I"". Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  22. ↑ "PREMIERE: Fall in Love with Brockhampton's Blissed Out "Hero" | NOISEY". Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  23. ↑ "ANNOUNCING THE VFILES LOUD! WINNER: BROCKHAMPTON". VFILES. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  24. ↑ "Brockhampton – "Dirt"". Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  25. ↑ "Brockhampton Announces 'Saturation 3'; Releases First Single". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  26. ↑ "BROCKHAMPTON". brckhmptn.com. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  27. ↑ "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  28. ↑ "Listen to "Zane Lowe and BROCKHAMPTON" posted by Zane Lowe on Apple Music". iTunes Apple Music. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  29. ↑ "How Many Times Does Kevin Abstract Need to Rap About Being Gay?". DJBooth. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
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