Kevin Abstract

Clifford Ian Simpson (born July 16, 1996), known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his role as a founding member of Brockhampton. Releasing music since 2009, he released his debut album, '' MTV1987'', in 2014 to critical acclaim, and received attention from various major music blogs and magazine publications. Following the release of his second studio album, '' American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story'' in 2016, and his third studio album, '' Arizona Baby'' in 2019, he released his fourth studio album, ''Blanket'', in November 2023, a year after Brockhampton disbanded. He is set to release his fifth studio album, ''Blush'', on June 27, 2025.

Early life

Abstract was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on July 16, 1996. 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. 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.

Music career

2009-2013: Early solo work

In 2009, a thirteen-year-old Abstract made a forum post on the internet forum KanyeToThe, recruiting rappers, singers, and producers to form an internet-based collective known as AliveSinceForever. In May 2013, Abstract released the single "Angels", a collaboration with AliveSinceForever and Brockhampton bandmate Dom McLennon. In July, he was a featured artist on bandmate Ameer Vann's single "Rabbits". In September, Abstract released his eponymous debut EP.

2014-16: Start of Brockhampton and ''MTV1987''

In 2014, Abstract, along with select members of AliveSinceForever, formed a new San Marcos based collective named Brockhampton. The same year, Abstract began working on his debut album with Brockhampton producer Romil Hemnani. On April 1, 2014, he released the record's first single, entitled "Save". The second single from the album, "Drugs", was released on May 6, 2014, with the music video following around a month later. The album was released on July 15, 2014, and was met with positive reviews from a number of music blogs, such as ''Billboard'', ''Complex'', '' Spin,'' '' Pigeons & Planes'', and '' 2DopeBoyz''. 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. The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014. On June 23, 2015, Abstract released a video for "Save", directed by Ian Gilner, Henock Sileshi and Franklin Mendez.

On March 30, 2016, Kevin's collective, Brockhampton, released their debut mixtape '' All-American Trash'', to generally positive reviews, though later criticized in retrospective reviews with comparisons to the collective's later work.

2016–2017: ''American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story'', Viceland, and ''Saturation'' trilogy

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 confirmed 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 second studio album to '' American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story'' and reassured fans that it would still be coming later that year.

In 2017, the group moved to Los Angeles and received attention for their critically acclaimed ''Saturation'' album trilogy, comprising ''Saturation'', '' Saturation II'', and ''Saturation III''. The same year, they 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.

2018–2019: ''Arizona Baby'', ''Iridescence'', and ''Ginger''

In April 2018, the group signed to RCA Records, and that same year released their major label debut ''Iridescence''. ''Iridescence'' became the groups first album to debut atop the Billboard 200.

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", seemingly teasing something. On March 19, 2019, Abstract tweeted a photo, which appears to be the cover of a new album or a single. 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 could 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". 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". Finally, the full album was released on April 25, alongside a music video for the song "Peach".

The group next album, ''Ginger'', was released in 2019 and spawned the double-platinum single "Sugar".

2020–present: ''Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine'', Brockhampton's breakup, and ''Blanket''

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 play 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 himself under the text, "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.

In January 2022, following the release of '' Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine'' (2021), the collective announced an indefinite hiatus and the cancellation of all remaining tour dates. The final Brockhampton albums, ''The Family'' and ''TM'', were released in November.

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, which was the first not 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

In 2021, Abstract started the clothing brand Video Store Apparel (VSA) with fellow Brockhampton member Romil Hemnani.

Abstract also became a creative consultant in the second season of the HBO teen drama, ''Euphoria''.

Influences

Abstract said his influences for ''MTV1987'' were Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, and Kid Cudi. 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.

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. As of 2022, Abstract is dating Brockhampton collaborator and stylist Nick Holiday.

Selected discography

Studio albums

Demo albums

With Brockhampton

* ''All-American Trash'' (2016)
* '' Saturation'' (2017)
* '' Saturation II'' (2017)
* ''Saturation III'' (2017)
* '' Iridescence'' (2018)
* ''Ginger'' (2019)
* '' Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine'' (2021)
* '' The Family'' (2022)
* ''TM'' (2022)

Singles

Filmography

Music videos

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Abstract, Kevin
1996 births
21st-century African-American male singers
21st-century American LGBTQ people
21st-century American male rappers
African-American LGBTQ writers
African-American male rappers
African-American male singer-songwriters
Alternative hip-hop musicians
Alternative R&B musicians
American alternative rock musicians
American alternative rock singers
American bandleaders
American gay musicians
American LGBTQ rappers
American LGBTQ songwriters
American male singer-songwriters
Brockhampton (band) members
Dream pop musicians
Gay rappers
Gay singer-songwriters
LGBTQ people from Georgia (U.S. state)
LGBTQ people from Texas
Living people
Musicians from Corpus Christi, Texas
Rappers from Texas
Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
Singer-songwriters from Texas