Clifford Ian Simpson[3] (born July 16, 1996), known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter[4] known for his role as a founding member of Brockhampton. He released his debut album, MTV1987, in 2014 to critical acclaim, 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, his third, Arizona Baby, was released in April 2019, and his fourth, Blanket, was released in November 2023.
Early life
Abstract was born in Corpus Christi, Texas.[5] Abstract was not close with his mother, not even knowing what her profession was. As Abstract began to realize his sexuality, he isolated himself from his family, feeling ashamed. Many speculate that this is one of the reasons that he ran away from home.[6] He has stated that his family members are "extremely religious" Mormons.[7] 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.[8]
In 2009, a thirteen year-old Abstract made a forum post on internet forum KanyeToThe, recruiting rappers, singers, producers, to form an internet based collective known as AliveSinceForever. In 2014, Abstract, along with select members of AliveSinceForever, formed a new San Marcos based collective named Brockhampton.[9]
In 2016, Brockhampton released their debut mixtape All-American Trash.[10] 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. 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.[9][11] The group next album, Ginger, was released in 2019 and spawned the double-platinum single "Sugar".[12][13]
In January 2022, following the release of Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021), the group announced an indefinite hiatus and the cancellation of all remaining tour dates. The final Brockhampton albums, The Family and TM, were released in November.[14]
2013: Early solo work
In May 2013, Abstract released the single "Angels", a collaboration with AliveSinceForever and Brockhampton bandmate Dom McLennon.[15] In July, he was a featured artist on bandmate Ameer Vann's single "Rabbits".[16] In September, Abstract released his eponymous debut EP.[17]
At the beginning of 2014, Abstract began working on his debut album with Brockhampton producer Romil Hemnani.[18] On April 1, 2014, he released the record's first single, entitled "Save".[19] The second single from the album, "Drugs", was released on May 6, 2014,[20] with the music video following around a month later.[21] The album was released on July 15, 2014, and was met with positive reviews from a number of music blogs, such as Billboard,[18]Complex,[22]Spin,[23]Pigeons & Planes,[24] and 2DopeBoyz.[25] 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.[26] The crowdfunded project was directed by Tyler Mitchell and finally released on November 4, 2014.[27]
On June 23, 2015, Abstract released a video for "Save", directed by Ian Gilner, Henock Sileshi and Franklin Mendez.[28]
2016–2017: 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 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 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 longtime manager and business partner Anish Ochani as well as Christian and Kelly Clancy of 4 Strikes.
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",[29] seemingly teasing something. On March 19, 2019, Abstract tweeted a photo, which appears to be the cover of a new album or a single.[30] 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 can 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".[31][32] 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".[33] Finally, the full album was released on April 25, alongside a music video for the song "Peach".[34]
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 played 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 him and a text saying "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.[35]
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, the first of which to not be 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.[36] Stylist Nick Holiday is a frequent collaborator.[37]
Abstract also became a creative consultant in the second season of the HBO teen drama, Euphoria.
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.[40] As of 2022, Abstract is dating Brockhampton collaborator and stylist Nick Holiday.[41]
^"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.
^"Brockhampton Presents: Count On Me" is a music video composed of the tracks "Count On Me" and "Roberto's Interlude" from their album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
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