Kevin Abstract

Biography

Clifford Ian Fernando Simpson (July 16, 1996), known by his stage name Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer, and producer, best known as the founder and de facto leader of hip-hop group Brockhampton. With Brockhampton, Abstract released eight studio albums from 2017 to 2022. He has released solo work since 2009, and self-released his debut albums MTV1987×MTV198715 July 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Dad1:072Save3:313Hell / Heroina6:584274:175Drugs6:536Mom1:057Tame Cab6:208Degas Park4:219Snakes6:5410Rush4:4111Camp Green Lake4:5012Drug Dealer1:44 (2014) and American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story×American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story18 November 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Empty3:142Seventeen2:453Blink2:554Friendship0:235Tattoo3:276Yellow3:317Suburbian Born1:098Kin0:299Runner2:5710Flintridge0:3711Papercut3:2712June 29th0:4813Miserable America2:4514American Boyfriend3:5815Echo2:3616I Do (end credits)2:38 (2016) to significant attention from online blogs and music publications. He made his major label debut with Arizona Baby in 2019. After Brockhampton disbanded in 2022, he released Blanket (2023) and a mixtape, Glue (2024). His fifth studio album, Blush×Blush27 June 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1The Introduction0:202H‐Town3:053Copy2:434Danny’s Track0:535Yoko Ono3:006NOLA3:117Post Break Up Beauty2:53897 Jag2:499Text Me2:2710Geezer2:5011I Wasn’t There2:0812Blush Interlude1:2913Maroon3:3014Pop Out3:2115Doggy2:5216Girlfriend3:0317Bloom2:0618Abandon Me2:4119Red Light3:08, was released on June 27, 2025.
Along with his work in Brockhampton, Abstract has served as a songwriter, producer, and collaborator for several other artists. In 2020, Abstract and Romil Hemnani founded Video Store, a record label and apparel company that signed the Blossom, Christian Alexander, and SoGone SoFlexy, among others, before dissolving in 2023. In 2025, he founded the Houston-based collective Blush, and co-founded the record label Juno with Dominic Fike, with whom he also forms the duo Geezer.

Early life

Abstract was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on July 16, 1996. Abstract's mother was distant during his childhood; he did not know 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. Abstract has 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. In high school, Abstract met and began making music with his future Brockhampton bandmates Ameer Vann, Matt Champion, Merlyn Wood, and Joba.

2009-2022: Brockhampton

In 2009, at thirteen years old, Abstract founded the internet music collective AliveSinceForever, after recruiting members from a Kanye West fan forum. In 2014, AliveSinceForever reformed as Brockhampton alongside a relocation to San Marcos, Texas. In 2017, the group moved to Los Angeles and released their critically acclaimed debut albums Saturation, Saturation II, and Saturation III, and in early 2018 they signed a record deal with RCA Records. Their major label debut, Iridescence (2018), debuted atop the Billboard 200, while Ginger (2019) produced the double-platinum single "Sugar". Brockhampton announced their intention to disband before releasing their sixth studio album, Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021). In 2022, the group disbanded after releasing their final studio albums, The Family and TM.

2013-2015: MTV1987

In May 2013, Abstract released the single "Angels", a collaboration with his AliveSinceForever and Brockhampton bandmate Dom McLennon. In July, he was a featured artist on Ameer Vann's single "Rabbits". In September, Abstract released his eponymous debut EP. In 2014, Abstract and Brockhampton producer Romil Hemnani began work on the former's debut studio album. From April to May, he released the singles "Save" and "Drugs×Drugs4 May 2014 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Drugs6:53" in promotion of the album. MTV1987 was released on July 15, 2014, to positive attention from several music blogs. In November, he released a music video for "Hell/Heroina", which was funded using over $3,000 accrued from a Kickstarter campaign. The music video for "Save" premiered on June 23, 2015.

2015-17: American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story

In 2015, Abstract began working on his sophomore album, Death of a Supermodel. In April, he released the singles "Not on DOASM 01", featuring Ameer Vann and Matt Champion and "Not on DOASM 2", featuring Champion, two tracks that were cut from Death of a Supermodel. By late 2015, Death of a Supermodel was reannounced as They Shoot Horses, and was given a 2016 release date. In November, the lead single from the album, "Echo", was released alongside an accompanying music video. In September 2016, the album was retitled yet again, to American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story×American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story18 November 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Empty3:142Seventeen2:453Blink2:554Friendship0:235Tattoo3:276Yellow3:317Suburbian Born1:098Kin0:299Runner2:5710Flintridge0:3711Papercut3:2712June 29th0:4813Miserable America2:4514American Boyfriend3:5815Echo2:3616I Do (end credits)2:38, alongside the release of the single "Empty×Empty23 September 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Empty3:14", alongside a self-directed music video. On November 2, Abstract released the singles "Yellow×Yellow4 November 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Yellow3:31" and "Miserable America×Miserable America4 November 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Miserable America2:45" through Beats 1, along with announcing the album's release date of November 18. In December, Abstract hosted a free one-off concert in Los Angeles, The All-American Drive-in Prom, with special guests Tyler, the Creator and Jaden Smith. In February 2017, he embarked on the Death of a Supermodel Tour in support of American Boyfriend. Also in 2017, Abstract toured alongside rock band The Neighbourhood.

2019: Arizona Baby

In April 2019, Abstract began cryptically teasing a new project on social media. On April 8, he officially announced his third studio album, Arizona Baby×ARIZONA BABY25 April 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Big Wheels1:362Joyride3:363Georgia3:394Corpus Christi2:525Baby Boy3:326Mississippi3:377Use Me2:128Peach2:579American Problem3:1110Crumble3:0811Boyer1:57, alongside a music video for the track "Big Wheels". On April 11, he released an EP, also titled Arizona Baby, consisting of the first three tracks from the upcoming album. On April 18, the next part of the album, Ghettobaby×Ghettobaby18 April 2019 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Big Wheels1:402Joy Ride3:353Georgia3:394Corpus Christi2:555Baby Boy3:326Mississippi3:39, was released. On April 25, Arizona Baby was released in full, alongside a music video for "Peach", featuring Dominic Fike, Joba, and Bearface.

2021-2023: Blanket

In March 2021, Abstract and his Brockhampton bandmate Romil Hemnani founded the record label and apparel company Video Store. In April, he and Hemnani contributed to the debut EP by the Blossom, which was released on Video Store on April 6. On July 16, Abstract released the single "Slugger×SLUGGER16 July 2021 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1SLUGGER4:16", featuring fellow rappers Slowthai and Snot. On August 19, he followed up "Slugger" with "Sierra Nights×SIERRA NIGHTS19 August 2021 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1SIERRA NIGHTS4:24", featuring frequent collaborator Ryan Beatty.
On October 4, 2023, nearly one year after Brockhampton disbanded, Abstract released "Blanket×Blanket3 November 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1When the Rope Post 2 Break3:262Blanket1:573Running Out3:324The Greys4:395Voyager3:056Madonna3:037Today I Gave Up2:268What Should I Do?3:039Mr. Edwards0:5210Scream2:3911Real 2 Me3:1812Heights, Spiders, and the Dark2:0713My Friend3:30", the lead single from the album of the same name, a week after playing surprise shows at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles and Baby's All Right in Brooklyn. The next single, "What Should I Do?×What Should I Do?18 October 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1What Should I Do?3:03", was released on October 18, followed by "Running Out×Running Out25 October 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Running Out3:32" and "Madonna×Madonna1 November 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Madonna3:03" on October 25, and November 1, respectively. Blanket was released on November 3, as Abstract's fourth solo album on RCA and Video Store.

2024–present: Glue and Blush

In 2024, Abstract released a series of singles, including "Tennessee" featuring Lil Nas X, "Creek" featuring Nourished by Time, "You're My Type of Pleasure", "Diamonds & Cash" featuring Lil Yachty and HVN, and "Big Dog", as part of an unrealized project titled Glue. Although not officially released, these tracks were unofficially released by Abstract in the form of YouTube and SoundCloud uploads.
In May 2025, Abstract began cryptically teasing a new project with the phrase "June 2025" attached to images of various friends and collborators. On May 29, he unofficially released the standalone track "Ghetto Graduation", in collaboration with Lil Saint and former Brockhampton member Ameer Vann. On June 7, Abstract officially announced his fifth studio album, Blush×Blush27 June 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 19 tracks1The Introduction0:202H‐Town3:053Copy2:434Danny’s Track0:535Yoko Ono3:006NOLA3:117Post Break Up Beauty2:53897 Jag2:499Text Me2:2710Geezer2:5011I Wasn’t There2:0812Blush Interlude1:2913Maroon3:3014Pop Out3:2115Doggy2:5216Girlfriend3:0317Bloom2:0618Abandon Me2:4119Red Light3:08, recorded alongside a collective of Houston artists also known as Blush. At the same time, he released the lead single and music video "Geezer", reuniting him with Dominic Fike. Blush was officially released on June 27 and was co-executive produced by Abstract and Quadeca. It includes features from Fike, Quadeca, Vann, JPEGMafia, and Danny Brown, along with several local Houston musicians. In July, Abstract and Fike announced the formalization of their relationship as the duo Geezer, and released their debut single "Doggy", featuring Blush members Love Spells and Truly Young.
In 2026, Abstract opened for Lorde on the Oceania leg of her Ultrasound World Tour.

Other ventures

In 2021, Abstract started the clothing brand and record label Video Store with fellow Brockhampton member Romil Hemnani. Aside from releasing Abstract's fourth project, Blanket (2023), the label also released projects by the Blossom, Christian Alexander, and SoGone SoFlexy. Video Store Apparel released its debut spring and summer clothing line, "Warhead", on July 16, 2021. Video Store's fall and winter 2021 collection, "Our Good Dreams Go Into the Sky", was released on November 19, 2021.
Abstract served as a creative consultant on 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. Abstract announced via Twitter that he was in a relationship with fashion designer Nick Holiday in September 2022, however they reportedly broke up in early 2024.

With Brockhampton

Saturation (2017)
Saturation II (2017)
Saturation III (2017)
Iridescence (2018)
Ginger (2019)
Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine (2021)
The Family (2022)
TM (2022)