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At the beginning of 2014, Simpson began working on his debut album with his in-house record producer, Romil.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract, 'MTV1987': Exclusive Album Stream |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6157633/kevin-abstract-mtv1987-exclusive-album-stream |accessdate= |website=Billboard}}</ref> On April 1, 2014 he released the record's first single, entitled "Save".<ref>{{Citation |title=Kevin Abstract – SAVE |url=https://genius.com/Kevin-abstract-save-lyrics |accessdate=}}</ref> The second single from the album, "Drugs" was released on May 6, 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drugs – Single by Kevin Abstract |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2014/05/kevin-abstract-drugs/ |website=Pigeons & Planes |accessdate=2015-08-31}}</ref> with the music video following around a month later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract "Drugs" Video {{!}} Mass Appeal|url = http://massappeal.com/kevin-abstract-drugs-music-video/|accessdate = 2015-09-02}}</ref> The album was released on July 15, 2014 and was met with positive praise from a number of music blogs, such as ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'',<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'',<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/kevin-abstract-mtv1987-album-stream|title=Stream Kevin Abstract's "MTV1987" Album|accessdate=2015-08-31}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract, MTV1987 (Self-Released) – Kevin Abstract Mtv1987_1 – 4 |url=http://www.spin.com/2014/12/40-best-hip-hop-albums-2014/kevin-abstract-mtv1987_1/ |website=Spin |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref> ''Pigeons & Planes'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987" |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2014/07/stream-kevin-abstracts-free-album-mtv1987/ |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref> and ''2DopeBoyz''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract – MTV1987 (Album) |url=http://2dopeboyz.com/2014/07/15/kevin-abstract-mtv1987-album/ |website=2DOPEBOYZ |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref>
At the beginning of 2014, Simpson began working on his debut album with his in-house record producer, Romil.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract, 'MTV1987': Exclusive Album Stream |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6157633/kevin-abstract-mtv1987-exclusive-album-stream |accessdate= |website=Billboard}}</ref> On April 1, 2014 he released the record's first single, entitled "Save".<ref>{{Citation |title=Kevin Abstract – SAVE |url=https://genius.com/Kevin-abstract-save-lyrics |accessdate=}}</ref> The second single from the album, "Drugs" was released on May 6, 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Drugs – Single by Kevin Abstract |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2014/05/kevin-abstract-drugs/ |website=Pigeons & Planes |accessdate=2015-08-31}}</ref> with the music video following around a month later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract "Drugs" Video {{!}} Mass Appeal|url = http://massappeal.com/kevin-abstract-drugs-music-video/|accessdate = 2015-09-02}}</ref> The album was released on July 15, 2014 and was met with positive praise from a number of music blogs, such as ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'',<ref name=":0" /> ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'',<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/07/kevin-abstract-mtv1987-album-stream|title=Stream Kevin Abstract's "MTV1987" Album|accessdate=2015-08-31}}</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract, MTV1987 (Self-Released) – Kevin Abstract Mtv1987_1 – 4 |url=http://www.spin.com/2014/12/40-best-hip-hop-albums-2014/kevin-abstract-mtv1987_1/ |website=Spin |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref> ''Pigeons & Planes'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987" |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2014/07/stream-kevin-abstracts-free-album-mtv1987/ |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref> and ''2DopeBoyz''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract – MTV1987 (Album) |url=http://2dopeboyz.com/2014/07/15/kevin-abstract-mtv1987-album/ |website=2DOPEBOYZ |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref>


After the release of ''[[MTV1987]],'' Simpson began working on the music video for the song "Hell/Heroina". His vision for the video was huge so he put up a [[Kickstarter]] page for it and his fans donated over $3,000 for the video to be made.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract – Hell / Heroina Music Video |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kevinabstract/kevin-abstract-hell-heroina-music-video |website=Kickstarter |accessdate=2015-08-31}}</ref> The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premiere: Watch Kevin Abstract's "Hell/Heroina" Video |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/11/kevin-abstract-hell-heroina-video |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref> Simpson also did a 24-hour live stream on November 1,<ref>{{Cite web |title=kevin abstract on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/kevinabstract/status/528698794117169153 |website=Twitter |accessdate=2015-11-29}}</ref> 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.
After the release of ''[[MTV1987]],'' Simpson began working on the music video for the song "Hell/Heroina," using more than $3,000 accrued from fans through a [[Kickstarter]] campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Abstract – Hell / Heroina Music Video |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kevinabstract/kevin-abstract-hell-heroina-music-video |website=Kickstarter |accessdate=2015-08-31}}</ref> The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premiere: Watch Kevin Abstract's "Hell/Heroina" Video |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/11/kevin-abstract-hell-heroina-video |accessdate=2015-09-02}}</ref> Simpson also did a 24-hour live stream on November 1,<ref>{{Cite web |title=kevin abstract on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/kevinabstract/status/528698794117169153 |website=Twitter |accessdate=2015-11-29}}</ref> 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'' ===
=== 2015: ''Death of a Supermodel'' ===

Revision as of 00:44, 23 January 2018

Kevin Abstract
Kevin Abstract in Wicker Park, Chicago in March 2017
Kevin Abstract in Wicker Park, Chicago in March 2017
Background information
Birth nameClifford Ian Simpson
BornCorpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer-songwriter
  • director
Years active2009–present
Websitekevinabstract.com
brckhmptn.com

Clifford Ian Simpson, better known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and director. He is a founding member of the Brockhampton band. Simpson 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, was released in November 2016.

Early life

Clifford Ian Simpson was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Abstract never met his father and was not close to his mother, not even knowing what her profession was.[1] Simpson began producing music at 11 and ran away from home at 15, moving to Georgia to live with his sister. There, he had his first sexual experience with a male and realized he was gay.[2]

Music career

2014: MTV1987

At the beginning of 2014, Simpson began working on his debut album with his in-house record producer, Romil.[3] On April 1, 2014 he released the record's first single, entitled "Save".[4] The second single from the album, "Drugs" was released on May 6, 2014,[5] with the music video following around a month later.[6] The album was released on July 15, 2014 and was met with positive praise from a number of music blogs, such as Billboard,[3] Complex,[7] Spin[8] Pigeons & Planes,[9] and 2DopeBoyz.[10]

After the release of MTV1987, Simpson began working on the music video for the song "Hell/Heroina," using more than $3,000 accrued from fans through a Kickstarter campaign.[11] The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014.[12] Simpson also did a 24-hour live stream on November 1,[13] 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, Simpson 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.[14] This album was then later discarded, however. Simpson 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, Simpson released a video for "SAVE", directed Ian Gilner, Henock Sileshi, & Franklin Mendez.[15] In November, the first single from They Shoot Horses, "Echo" was released, along with a music video directed by Tyler Mitchell.

2016: American Boyfriend and Viceland

In March 2016, Simpson opened for the band The Neighbourhood in England on a week-long tour in Portsmouth, Birmingham, Manchester, and London as Kevin Abstract. The final show was shown on Periscope and teased his new album They Shoot Horses, due out later in 2016. He also confirmed that his next single would be Empty.

In April, as Kevin Abstract, Simpson announced that he would be going on tour again with The Neighbourhood, but this time in the USA, across May and June. Simpson exclusively performed songs from his new album.

At the end of June, Abstract announced that he had changed the title of his upcoming album to American Boyfriend and that it would still be coming later in the year.

Simpson, along with members of Brockhampton, appeared in the VICELAND program American Boyband, which followed Simpson on his first headline tour across America as Kevin Abstract to promote American Boyfriend. The program premiered on June 8, 2017.

Simpson is currently managed by long-time manager and business partner, Anish Ochani, as well as 4Strikes, Inc, which is run by Christian and Kelly Clancy.

All American Boyband: Brockhampton

Near the end of 2014, "AliveSinceForever" disbanded, due to reemerge as "Brockhampton", with an altered line-up.[16][17]

In January 2015, Brockhampton's debut single "Bet I" was released.[18] The video for the song was released on March 25, 2015 and was directed by fellow Brockhampton members, HK Covers & Franklin Mendez.[19]

On June 16, Brockhampton released their second single "Hero".[20] 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.[21] Brockhampton were 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.[22]

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.[23] “Saturation 3” was released December 15 with 15 songs. BROCKHAMPTON announced their fourth studio album “Team Effort” a day before “Saturation 3” was released. “Team Effort” is expected to be released in 2018.

Influences

Abstract says his influences for MTV1987 were Frank Ocean and Kid Cudi.[24] Abstract has also suggested that Kanye West, Pink Floyd and Tyler, the Creator are influences on his music, with the latter's group Odd Future being a large point of reference and inspiration for Brockhampton.[25]

Solo discography

Studio albums

Singles

Title Year Album
"Save" 2014 MTV1987
"Drugs"
"Bubblegum" (featuring Dom McLennon) / "IWB" (featuring Matt Champion) non-album single
"Echo" 2015 American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story
"Empty" 2016
"Yellow"
"Miserable America"

Music videos

Title Year Director
"Drugs" 2014 Franklin Mendez, Henock Sileshi, Ian Simpson
"Hell/Heroina" Tyler Mitchell
"Save" 2015 Grayson Glynn, Henock Sileshi
"Echo" Tyler Mitchell
"Empty" 2016 Ian Simpson
"Runner" 2017
"Miserable America"

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Meet Kevin Abstract, The Post-Everything Kid Making Songs For Outcasts". The FADER. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Kevin Abstract, 'MTV1987': Exclusive Album Stream". Billboard.
  4. ^ Kevin Abstract – SAVE
  5. ^ "Drugs – Single by Kevin Abstract". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  6. ^ "Kevin Abstract "Drugs" Video | Mass Appeal". Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Stream Kevin Abstract's "MTV1987" Album". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  8. ^ "Kevin Abstract, MTV1987 (Self-Released) – Kevin Abstract Mtv1987_1 – 4". Spin. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  10. ^ "Kevin Abstract – MTV1987 (Album)". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  11. ^ "Kevin Abstract – Hell / Heroina Music Video". Kickstarter. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  12. ^ "Premiere: Watch Kevin Abstract's "Hell/Heroina" Video". Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  13. ^ "kevin abstract on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  14. ^ "the name of the 2nd album is death of a supermodel". Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  15. ^ "Watch the Premiere of Kevin Abstract's Unsettling "Save" Video". Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  16. ^ "Kevin Abstract Leaves ASF". Imgur. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  17. ^ "One of hip-hop's most intriguing new crews, BROCKHAMPTON, born of the ashes of AliveSinceForever". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  18. ^ "Check Out BrockHampton's (Kevin Abstract and Friends) New Track 'Bet I'". The Early Registration. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  19. ^ "Video Premiere: Brockhampton – "Bet I"". Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "PREMIERE: Fall in Love with Brockhampton's Blissed Out "Hero" | NOISEY". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  21. ^ "ANNOUNCING THE VFILES LOUD! WINNER: BROCKHAMPTON". VFILES. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  22. ^ "Brockhampton – "Dirt"". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  23. ^ "Brockhampton Announces "Saturation 3"; Releases First Single". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  24. ^ "Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987"". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  25. ^ "Listen to "Zane Lowe and BROCKHAMPTON" posted by Zane Lowe on Apple Music". iTunes Apple Music. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
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