ASAP Mob
ASAP Mob | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Harlem, New York, United States |
Genres | Hip hop |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels |
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Members |
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Past members |
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Website | asapmob |
ASAP Mob (stylized as A$AP Mob) is an American hip hop group formed in 2006, in Harlem, New York, by members ASAP Yams (Steven Rodriguez), ASAP Bari, ASAP Sanden and ASAP Illz .[1] The Mob is a collective of rappers, record producers, music video directors and fashion designers who share similar interests in music, fashion, style and art.[2] The collective consists of New York-based rappers, most of whom carry the "ASAP" moniker, such as ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Twelvyy, ASAP Nast, ASAP TyY and ASAP Ant, with the exception of Playboi Carti, who is also a member of the group. The collective's resident record producer ASAP Ty Beats, also carries the moniker and has produced several songs for his ASAP Mob cohorts, most notably Rocky's debut single "Peso".
On August 28, 2012 the group released their first full-length project together, a mixtape titled Lords Never Worry, which received mostly mixed to negative reviews by critics. In August 2013, it was announced ASAP Mob's upcoming debut album, would be released on October 15, 2013, however that would later be delayed. They subsequently released their debut single "Trillmatic", in December 2013. The song, performed by ASAP Nast, is an ode to '90s hip hop and features a guest verse from Method Man.[3][4][5] Their debut album, titled L.O.R.D., was set to be released in 2014, however the album was shelved.
On January 18, 2015, A$AP Mob founder, Steven "ASAP Yams" Rodriguez, was found dead at the age of 26.[6][7] The cause of death was ruled an overdose due to mixed drug intoxication.[8]
History
Formation and early beginnings (2006–12)
In 2006, Steven Rodriguez, professionally known as A$AP Yams, formed the collective internationally known as A$AP Mob, with fellow New Yorkers, now known as A$AP Bari, A$AP Sanden and A$AP Illz.[1] Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky, joined after Bari had kept bringing him up to Yams, who eventually took interest.[1] In the summer of 2011, the group began to gain major recognition after the respective music videos for Rocky's singles "Peso" and "Purple Swag" (both produced by A$AP Ty Beats), went viral on YouTube. Rocky followed up with his breakout mixtape Live.Love.A$AP, in October, which was praised by critics and fans alike.
In October 2011, Rocky signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment worth $3 million. $1.7 million of that money was earmarked for his solo work and $1.3 million to fund his company A$AP Worldwide, along with A&R and executive producer ASAP Yams.[9] Rocky said that he sought a "bigger platform" for him and his collective with the deal.[10]
In 2011, A$AP Dom, the collective's designer, who worked on the design of the iconic VSVP pieces for Blackscale, wanted to venture out and do his "own thing". He subsequently left the Mob and changed his moniker to Dominic Lord and is now a songwriter and producer.[11]
Lords Never Worry (2012–present)
On August 27, 2012, A$AP Mob released their debut project, a mixtape titled Lords Never Worry, as a free download.[12] During September through November, Rocky promoted his solo debut album, with a 40-date national concert tour, the Long Live ASAP Tour, with opening acts Schoolboy Q, Danny Brown, and A$AP Mob.[13]
In January 2013, A$AP Ferg was the second member of the group to sign with a major label, also signing a joint venture deal with Rocky's same labels, RCA and Polo Grounds, which released his single "Work", for retail on iTunes.[14] The labels also later promoted an official remix of "Work", featuring Rocky, French Montana, Schoolboy Q and Trinidad James.[15]
Rocky's debut album Long. Live. A$AP, was released on January 15, 2013, to generally positive reviews from critics.[16] The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 139,000 copies in the United States.[17]
A$AP Ferg announced that A$AP Mob would release their debut album after the release of his solo debut album Trap Lord.[18] It was later revealed the release date for the upcoming ASAP Mob album would be October 15, 2013, however it would be delayed.[19] A$AP Ferg released his respective debut studio album Trap Lord, on August 20, 2013, under A$AP Worldwide, Polo Grounds and RCA.[20] The album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 and number four the on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with first-week sales of 32,000 copies in the United States.[21] In November 2013, ASAP Rocky announced that ASAP Mob's debut album would be titled Lords.[22] On December 3, 2013, it was announced that the album would be released on March 4, 2014.[4] On December 4, 2013, the album's first single, titled "Trillmatic", was released along with an accompanying music video.[23] The single, produced by A$AP Ty Beats, features verses from ASAP Nast and fellow American rapper and New York City-native, Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man. The album title was then changed to L.O.R.D.[24][25] On January 13, 2014, "See Me" by ASAP Ant, another song from L.O.R.D. was released.[26]
On September 26, 2014, A$AP Yams revealed L.O.R.D., had been scrapped. Posting on his personal Tumblr and replying to a fan, Yams wrote the following: "L.O.R.D. IS SCRAPPED. FLACKO JODYE SEASON THIS FALL".[27]
On January 18, 2015, members of A$AP Mob revealed that A$AP Yams had died, however did not release any information about his death.[28] The cause of death was ruled to be caused by acute mixed drug intoxication.[8] However ASAP Mob members and affiliates, say Yams died due to his sleep apnea, which caused asphyxiation and pulmonary aspiration.[29][30][31]
On October 15, 2016, A$AP Rocky confirmed that the group's compilation album The Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 or Cozy Tapes, or Cozy Tape was done.[32]
Discography
Mixtapes
Title | Album details |
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Lords Never Worry[33] |
|
The Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends |
|
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US R&B |
US Rap |
UK | UK R&B | |||
"Bath Salts"[34] (featuring A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ant, and Flatbush Zombies) |
2012 | — | — | — | — | — | Lords Never Worry |
"Trillmatic"[35] (featuring A$AP Nast and Method Man) |
2013 | — | — | — | 193 | 29 | Non-album singles |
"Xscape"[36] (featuring A$AP Twelvyy) |
2014 | — | — | — | — | — | |
"Hella Hoes"[37] (featuring A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Nast and A$AP Twelvyy) |
— | 60 | — | — | — | ||
"Yamborghini High" (featuring Juicy J) |
2016 | — | — | — | — | — | Cozy Tapes Vol. 1 |
"Crazy Brazy" (featuring A$AP Rocky, A$AP Twelvyy and Key!) |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Music videos
Title | Year | Director(s) |
---|---|---|
"Trillmatic" (featuring A$AP Nast and Method Man) |
2013 | Jonah Schwartz[23][38] |
"See Me" (featuring A$AP Ant) |
2014 | Andrew Hines[26] |
"Xscape" (featuring A$AP Twelvyy) |
Simon Davis | |
"Hella Hoes" (featuring A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Nast, and A$AP Twelvyy) |
Jonah Schwartz | |
"Yamborghini High" (featuring Juicy J) |
2016 | Shomi Patwary & AWGE |
"Money Man" (featuring A$AP Rocky, A$AP Nast, and Skepta) |
Dexter Navy & A$AP Rocky[39] | |
"Put That on My Set" (featuring A$AP Rocky and Skepta) |
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014[40] | A$AP Mob | Best Group | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b c Pablo, J. "Meet The A$AP Mob: Talking To Ant, Ferg, J. Scott, Nast, Twelvy, And Yams". Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ Huynh, Davis. "A$AP Rocky – Always $trive and Prosper". Hypetrak. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
- ^ "A$AP Mob's 'Trillmatic' Video: Count the 1990s References". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Video: A$AP Mob f/ A$AP Nast & Method Man – 'Trillmatic'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "A$AP Nast Ft Method Man - Trillmatic - HipHopLeague". HipHopLeague. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Ducker, Eric. A Rational Conversation with ASAP Yams. NPR. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ Matthew Trammell, "Also Known," The New Yorker, January 18, 2016.
- ^ a b CARAMANICA, JON. "Staff Writer". New York Times. New York Times.
- ^ Adaso, Henry. "A$AP Rocky Biography". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (October 14, 2011). "A$AP Rocky Signs Record Deal With Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records". Hip-Hop Wired. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
- ^ "MissInfo.tv " The New Bidding War Target: Dominic Lord, "Pierce" (Video) #Exclusive". Missinfo.tv. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Pelly, Jenn (August 27, 2012). "Download the New Mixtape Lords Never Worry From A$AP Rocky's A$AP Mob". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
- ^ McDermott, Tyler K. (July 25, 2012). "A$AP Rocky Announces 'LONGLIVEA$AP Tour'". Billboard. New York: Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
- ^ Daniel Isenberg. "A$AP Ferg Signs Solo Deal with Polo Grounds Music/RCA Records". Complex. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "A$AP Ferg Videos - Says "Work" Remix To Feature A$AP Rocky & Trinidad James". Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved 2013-07-04.
- ^ "Long.Live.A$AP Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
- ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 1/20/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "A$AP Ferg Teases New A$AP Mob Album". XXL. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "HITSDailyDouble: Upcoming Releases". Hitsdailydouble.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Trap Lord: Asap Ferg: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
- ^ "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 8/25/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ "Powerhouse 2013 Was Crazy!". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ a b Zoladz, Lindsay (December 5, 2013). "Video: A$AP Mob: "Trillmatic" [ft. A$AP Nast and Method Man]". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ "A$AP Ant Plans A Robbery In "See Me" Video - XXL". XXL. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Rap Release Dates: Juicy J, Meek Mill, Murs & Curtiss King, Killa Sha". Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (January 14, 2014). "A$AP Ant – "See Me" Video". Stereogum. Spin Media. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- ^ "You my dude and A$AP Is my fav rap / fashionable ..." Yamborghini.tumblr.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ White, Caitlin (January 18, 2015). "ASAP Mob founder ASAP Yams dead at 26". MTV News. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6450852/asap-rocky-asap-yams-death-sundance-2015-dope
- ^ http://www.mstarz.com/articles/59509/20150324/asap-rocky-asap-yams-suffocated-vomit-sleep-apnea-killed-video.htm
- ^ http://www.hollywoodtake.com/aap-yams-death-cause-revealed-joey-fatts-denies-overdose-talks-sleep-apnea-steven-69862
- ^ ASAP rocky confirms The Cozy Tapes Vol is done
- ^ Breihan, Tom (August 28, 2012). "Download A$AP Mob Lord$ Never Worry Mixtape". Stereogum. Spin Media. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (August 28, 2012). "Download A$AP Mob Lord$ Never Worry Mixtape". Stereogum. Spin Media. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ "Trillmatic (feat. A$AP Nast & Method Man) - Single by ASAP Mob". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Xscape (feat. A$AP Twelvyy) - Single by A$AP Mob". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Hella Hoes (feat. A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, A$AP Nast & A$AP Twelvyy) - Single by A$AP Mob". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
- ^ "New Video: A$AP Nast Feat. Method Man 'Trillmatic'". Vibe.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Watch ASAP Rocky's 'Money Man' Film Featuring New Music From ASAP Mob". XXL. October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- ^ "Beyonce & Jay Z Lead 2014 BET Awards". Billboard. 2014-01-26. Retrieved 2014-05-14.