Vince Staples
Vincent Jamal Staples (born July 2, 1993) is an American rapper, singer and actor from Long Beach, California. Staples first became known for his association with California-based alternative hip hop collective Odd Future, namely Mike G and Earl Sweatshirt. He signed with Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Records prior to releasing his collaborative mixtape with Mac Miller, Stolen Youth (2013). The following year, he signed with No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut extended play, Hell Can Wait (2014)—which marked his first project to chart on the Billboard 200.
For his eponymous album, see Vince Staples (album).
Vince Staples
Vincent Jamal Staples[1]
July 2, 1993
Compton, California, U.S.
Long Beach, California, U.S.
- Rapper
- singer
- songwriter
2008–present
His rise to prominence was supported by his appearances on projects by Odd Future members: Earl, Journey to the 5th Echelon (2010), and Doris (2013). Meanwhile, Hell Can Wait was met with critical acclaim and included the singles "Hands Up" and "Blue Suede". His debut album, Summertime '06 (2015) was met with similar reception and spawned the platinum-certified single "Norf Norf", forseeing his inclusion as part of the XXL 2015 Freshman Class.[3] His follow up albums, Big Fish Theory (2017), FM! (2019), his self-titled fourth studio album (2021), and Ramona Park Broke My Heart (2022) each further diversified his artistry, being met with continued critical acclaim and moderate commercial response. Staples' music is often described as West Coast hip hop, often containing conscious subject matter while production experiments with avant-garde, dance and electronic influences.[4]
Outside of his solo career, he is a member of the California-based hip hop trio Cutthroat Boyz with Aston Matthews and Joey Fatts. Staples has also acted in the films Dope and White Men Can't Jump, and the television series Abbott Elementary. As a voice actor, he performed in the 2015 film Mutafukaz, as well as the animated series American Dad! and Lazor Wulf. In 2015, he became a spokesperson and brand ambassador for Sprite.[5][6]
Early life and education[edit]
Staples was born in Compton, California, but grew up in North Long Beach, after his mother decided she wanted to move away from Compton due to the high crime rates.[7] Staples is the youngest of five siblings, two brothers and three sisters.[8][9] Staples grew up in poverty.[10]
Staples attended Optimal Christian Academy from 4th to 8th grade, which he said was an influential and positive experience.[9] During high school, Staples's mom sent him to Atlanta to stay with one of his sisters. He attended high school there for six months.[11] After returning to Southern California, Staples attended other high schools: Jordan High School in Long Beach, Mayfair High School in Lakewood, Opportunity High School home schooling, Esperanza High School in Anaheim, and Kennedy High School, among others.[9]
Staples has been upfront regarding his involvement with street gangs during his childhood,[11][12] and is involved with speaking to the youth in his community about the dangers of the gang lifestyle.[9]
Growing up, Staples participated in sports when given the opportunity. Most notably, he played in Snoop Dogg's Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL). Staples recalled playing against the Carson Colts and Mission Viejo Cowboys who he claimed had "grown-ass men on the field." Staples then went on to state, "Snoop really did it big, we got our names on our jerseys, we had the best cleats, the best helmets, you know Snoop Dogg really loved football."[13]
Career[edit]
2009–2013: Beginnings and Stolen Youth[edit]
Staples was discovered by Dijon "LaVish" Samo and Chuck Wun, alongside his cousin Campbell Emerson. LaVish took Staples on a trip to Los Angeles, where he befriended the Odd Future collective's members Syd tha Kyd, Mike G, and Earl Sweatshirt. Although he had not intended to become a rapper, he made some guest appearances on their songs, most notably "epaR" from Earl Sweatshirt's March 2010 mixtape Earl. After featuring on some other tracks, he decided to pursue a career in rap. He released his official debut mixtape, called Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1 on December 30, 2011, via applebird.com.[14] In October 2012, he released a collaborative mixtape with Michael Uzowuru, titled Winter in Prague. It was produced entirely by Uzowuru.[15]
In 2012, Earl Sweatshirt returned from Samoa and reconnected with Vince. Earl then introduced him to fellow American rapper Mac Miller. In June 2013, Miller (under the alias Larry Fisherman) and Staples released a mixtape titled Stolen Youth. The mixtape features guest appearances from Miller, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Da$H, Hardo, and Staples's Cutthroat Boyz co-member, Joey Fatts.[16] Following Stolen Youth's release, he toured as a supporting act on Miller's Space Migration Tour. After making three appearances on Earl's debut studio album Doris, including the single "Hive", the liner notes revealed Staples had recently signed to the hip hop record label Def Jam Recordings.[15]
Other ventures[edit]
Philanthropy[edit]
On June 14, 2016, Staples announced his assistance in a YMCA program that will benefit young people in North Long Beach.[52] The Youth Institute would teach graphic design, 3D printing, product design, music production and film making to 20 eighth and ninth graders at Hamilton Middle School.[52] Staples donated an undisclosed amount to the program.[52][53][54]
Personal life[edit]
The majority of Staples’ family are immigrants from Haiti, who had first arrived in Eastern Canada, then left for Louisiana believing that they could buy land cheaper but were unaware of the social economic climate there at the time.[55] Growing up, Staples spent a lot of time with his maternal grandfather, Andrew Hutchins, a retired truck driver and construction worker who was just a young boy when he arrived in the United States.[56] He met Staples’ grandmother at the age of sixteen and left to join the army to help support his family.[55] When Hutchins came back, he became a diehard Dodgers fan who decided to migrate to Compton because he saw an interview of star player, Duke Snider, who mentioned he lived in Compton, which was a nice area at the time.[55][56] However, despite his grandfather’s Dodger fandom, Staples is a New York Yankees fan.[57]
Staples who lives in Southern California[8] is a fan of the Los Angeles Clippers.[58] He is a fan of modern art and has referenced the French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois in his song "Rain Come Down" and stated his appreciation for painter and photographer Richard Prince.[59]
Staples has stated that he follows a straight edge lifestyle and does not drink alcohol or take illicit drugs.[60]