ASAP Mob

ASAP Mob (stylized as A$AP Mob) is an American hip hop collective formed in 2006, in Harlem, New York, by members ASAP Yams, ASAP Bari 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 mainly consists of New York-based rappers, most of whom carry the "ASAP" moniker, such as ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg, ASAP Twelvyy, ASAP Nast and ASAP Ant. 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 solo debut single "Peso".

On August 28, 2012 the collective released their first full-length project together, a mixtape titled Lords Never Worry, which received mostly mixed reviews by critics. In August 2013, it was announced ASAP Mob's upcoming debut album, would be released in October, however it 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, ASAP 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 (2012–14)

Members of ASAP Mob with Joey Badass (left) at the Under the Influence Tour in Toronto, Canada on 10 August 2013.

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]

Cozy Tapes (2015–present)

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 Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends was completed.^[32]

Discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

Singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

Notes

References

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