Kevin Abstract facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin Abstract
Abstract performing in 2018 in Quebec City
Background information
Birth name	Clifford Ian Simpson
Also known as	Billy Star
Born	(1996-07-16) July 16, 1996 (age 29) Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop pop R&B alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer record producer
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Virgin RCA Question Everything Video Store X8 Juno
Signature

Clifford Ian Simpson (born July 16, 1996), better known as Kevin Abstract, is an American rapper, singer, and music producer. He is famous for starting the hip-hop group Brockhampton. He was the main leader of the group.

With Brockhampton, Abstract released eight studio albums between 2017 and 2022. He also has a successful solo career. He released his first albums, MTV1987 (2014) and American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story (2016), on his own. These albums got a lot of attention from music websites.

In 2019, he released Arizona Baby with a major record label. After Brockhampton stopped making music together in 2022, he released the album Blanket in 2023. His fifth studio album, Blush, came out on June 27, 2025.

Early Life and Beginnings

Kevin Abstract was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on July 16, 1996. He often felt different from his family. He said his family members were very religious.

He started making music when he was just 11 years old. At age 15, he left home to focus on his music. He lived with a friend for a year. Then he moved to Georgia to live with his sister. In high school, he met his future Brockhampton bandmates.

Music Career

2009–2022: Leading Brockhampton

When he was 13, Abstract started a music group online called AliveSinceForever. He found the members on a fan website for the artist Kanye West. In 2014, the group changed its name to Brockhampton and moved to San Marcos, Texas.

In 2017, the group moved to Los Angeles. They released three popular albums: Saturation, Saturation II, and Saturation III. In 2018, they signed a record deal with RCA Records.

Their first album with a major label was Iridescence (2018). It went to number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Their 2019 album, Ginger, had the hit single "Sugar".

Brockhampton announced they would stop making music together in 2021. In 2022, the group released their last two albums, The Family and TM.

2013–2015: First Solo Album

In 2014, Abstract released his first solo album, MTV1987. He worked on it with Brockhampton producer Romil Hemnani. He released the singles "Save" and "..." to promote the album. MTV1987 was praised by many music blogs. He later released music videos for the songs ".../Heroina" and "Save".

2015–2017: American Boyfriend

In 2015, Abstract started working on his second album. He released the lead single "Echo" in November. In 2016, he announced the album's final title: American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story.

He released more singles, like "Empty," "Yellow," and "Miserable America." The album came out on November 18, 2016. To celebrate, he held a free concert in Los Angeles. Tyler, the Creator and Jaden Smith were special guests. In 2017, he went on tour to support the album.

2019: Arizona Baby

In April 2019, Abstract began hinting at a new project on social media. He announced his third album, Arizona Baby, and released it in parts. The full album was released on April 25, 2019. It included a music video for the song "Peach," which featured other artists like Dominic Fike.

2021–2023: Blanket

In 2021, Abstract and his bandmate Romil Hemnani started a record label called Video Store. That year, he released new singles like "Slugger" and "Sierra Nights."

Almost a year after Brockhampton ended, Abstract released a new song called "Blanket." It was the main single from his album of the same name. The album Blanket was released on November 3, 2023.

2024–present: Blush and New Projects

In 2024, Abstract released several new songs on YouTube and SoundCloud. These included "Tennessee" with Lil Nas X and "Diamonds & Cash" with Lil Yachty.

In May 2025, he started teasing a new album. On June 7, he announced his fifth album, Blush. He recorded it with a group of artists from Houston, also called Blush. The album was released on June 27. It features artists like Dominic Fike, Quadeca, and Danny Brown.

In July, Abstract and Fike announced they had formed a duo called Geezer. They released their first single, "Doggy."

Other Work

In 2021, Abstract and Romil Hemnani started the clothing brand and record label Video Store. The label released Abstract's album Blanket and music by other artists. The clothing brand released several collections.

Abstract also worked as a creative consultant for the second season of the HBO show Euphoria.

Musical Influences

Abstract has said that his music is inspired by many artists. For his first album, MTV1987, his influences were Frank Ocean, Justin Timberlake, and Kid Cudi.

He has also named Kanye West, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Tyler, the Creator as major inspirations. He said Tyler's group, Odd Future, was a big influence on how Brockhampton was formed.

Personal Life

Abstract often writes about his personal feelings and experiences in his lyrics. He believes it is important to write about these topics. He wants to be a voice for fans who might feel the same way. As of 2022, Abstract is in a relationship with Nick Holiday, who worked with Brockhampton as a stylist.

Selected Discography

Studio albums

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)