Vince Staples

Early life and education

Staples was born on 2 July 1993 in Compton, California. The majority of his family are immigrants from Haiti, who first arrived in Eastern Canada and then Louisiana, where they assumed they could get "cheaper land." They did not know about the prevalence of slavery in the United States at that time. Staples' maternal grandfather, Andrew Hutchins, was a young boy when he moved to the country and served in the army to support his family. As a "die-hard" Dodgers fan, he later decided to settle in Compton after learning that the city was the birthplace of Duke Snider. Staple's family, including his parents and siblings, "got adopted into" into the Compton's "gang culture." In a 2016 interview, he said: "There's no better way to put it than: my family came from the streets. My whole family was gang members. I never knew what I wanted to do besides that."

Staples' father was arrested on Christmas when he was in first grade, after which, his mother, Eloise Staples, moved the family to his aunt's Compton back-house. The discounted rent allowed her to enrol Staples in the Optimal Christian Academy, a small, black-owned private school on Palmer and Long Beach Boulevard, which he attended from fourth to eighth grade. In school, he was "enamored" by current affairs and politics, winning awards for his writing. He was a "quiet, straight-A student with a photographic memory" and a "skate kid" who played football, baseball and basketball. He participated in Snoop Dogg's Snoop Youth Football League (SYFL), and recalled playing against "grown-ass men" from the Carson Colts and Mission Viejo Cowboys. According to him: "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."

Growing up, Staples spent a "significant time" on the Eastside, Long Beach with Hutchins, who was, by then, a retired truck driver and construction worker. In middle school, he started spending more time in Long beach, California with his elder cousin, Joey Fatts, and joined the 2N Gangsta Crips, a prominent street gang. After graduating from Optimal, Staples attended the majority-white Mayfair High School in Lakewood. As a freshman, he was caught with a stolen phone, and the school authorities used the incident as "a pretext to target a black kid with gang ties" despite multiple witnesses, including the owner of phone, vouching for his innocence. When his mom picked him up, she was shown a file, with Staples' picture on top, that referred to him as an "active gang leader." He was charged with "multiple felonies, including aggravated assault, threatening a witness, and armed robbery." However, the school and the law enforcement officials agreed to drop all charges if he left Mayfair. Shortly after, his mother sent sent him to live with one of his sisters in Atlanta for a "cooling-off period." There, he attended Westlake High School in Fulton County, Georgia for eight months. When he returned to Long Beach, his mother was sick with cancer. Over the next two years, Staples attended several schools including Jordan High School in Long Beach, Esperanza High School in Anaheim, and Kennedy High School, among others. He eventually dropped out and began couch surfing between the homes of his friends and his extended family. He briefly lived with his friend's family on Poppy Street, located in the Ramona Park neighborhood of North Long Beach.

Career

2009–2013: Beginnings and ''Stolen Youth''

In 2010, Staples befriended musician Dijon Samo, who introduced him to Odd Future's Syd tha Kyd. Although he had been "rapping for fun" until now, the Odd Future studio offered him with "a safe space with a couch to crash on." He quickly bonded with Syd, his brother Travis "Taco" Bennet, and Odd Future members Mike G. and Earl Sweatshirt. He recorded epaR with Sweatshirt for the latter's mixtape Earl released in March 2010, a song that contributed to the Odd Future's "early hype." Both Staples and Sweatshirt disavowed the song later for "its depictions of rape." Staples has also clarified that he wasn't a member but an affiliate of the Odd Future. Complex named Earl as the 24th-best album of 2010. Shortly after, Sweatshirt abruptly disappeared from the country, having absconded to Samoa at the behest of his mother. By the end of 2011, Odd Future had declined in popularity.

After meeting B. Symth through Om'Mas Keith of Sa-Ra, who encouraged him take music more seriously, Staples released his debut mixtape Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1 on 30 December 2011. In 2012, after Sweatshirt returned from the South Pacific, he introduced Staples to Mac Miller, whose house "emerged as a West Coast rap camp." Miller handed Staples the beats that he had been working on, and eventually produced the latter's 2013 mixtape Stolen Youth. The mixtape featured guest appearances from fellow American rappers Miller (under the alias Larry Fishermen), Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Da$H, Hardo, and Cutthroat Boyz's Joey Fatts. He also toured as a supporting act on Miller's The Space Migration Tour. Around the same time, Smyth helped Staples negotiate a record deal with Def Jam Recordings, allowing him to move away from Poppy Street.

In October 2012, Stapes released a collaborative mixtape with Michael Uzowuru, Winter in Prague, which was produced by Uzowuru. In 2013, he featured thrice on Sweatshirt's debut studio album Doris, including the single Hive.

2014–2015: ''Shyne Coldchain Vol. 2'', ''Hell Can Wait'', and ''Summertime '06''

On 13 March 2014, Staples released his fourth mixtape called Shyne Coldchain Vol. 2. The mixtape features the production from Earl Sweatshirt, Michael Uzowuru, Childish Major, No ID, Evidence, DJ Babu, and Scoop DeVille; as well as guest appearances from singer-songwriters Jhené Aiko and James Fauntleroy. On 2 March 2014, he began touring in the United States with a Schoolboy Q and Isaiah Rashad on the Oxymoron World Tour to support the release of Schoolboy Q's album Oxymoron.

On 15 August 2014, Staples released a music video for "Blue Suede". The track was made available on iTunes. On 9 September 2014, Vince released another new song titled "Hands Up" via iTunes. He released the EP Hell Can Wait on 7 October 2014. Prior to the EP's release Staples revealed during an interview with XXL Magazine that it would include guest appearances from Aston Matthews and Teyana Taylor, along with productions from No I.D., Infamous, and Hagler.

On 4 May 2015, Staples released the first single from his debut album, called "Señorita". He later announced it that his debut studio album would be titled Summertime '06., In June 2015, Staples was named as one of the ten rappers of *XXL'''s "2015 Freshman Class". On 15 June 2015 Staples released the second single from his debut album, "Get Paid" featuring Desi Mo. On 22 June 2015, he released the album's third and final single, Norf Norf. The track reached viral prominence after a video of a mom tearfully complaining about the song became popular on social media. The album was released on June 30, 2015. It received widespread acclaim and debuted at number 39 on the US Billboard 200.

2016–2017: ''Prima Donna'' and ''Big Fish Theory''

On 23 February 2016, Staples was announced as part of the line up for the 2016 Osheaga Festival. On 25 August 2016, Staples released his second EP, the seven-track Prima Donna, which was accompanied by a short film. On 3 February 2017, Staples released "BagBak", the first single from his next studio album. A remix of the song was later featured in the trailer for the Marvel Studios film Black Panther. On 23 March 2017, he was featured on the Gorillaz track "Ascension" from their album Humanz. In an interview on Zane Lowe's show Beats 1, he announced his upcoming album would be called Big Fish Theory and released an accompanying single, "Big Fish", which was followed by the album's third single, "Rain Come Down" on 8 June 2017, featuring Ty Dolla Sign. The album was released on 23 June 2017 and received with widespread critical acclaim.

2018–2021: ''FM!'', and self-titled album

In 2018, Staples set up a GoFundMe page titled "Get the Fuck Off My Dick" seeking $2 million as a response to people criticizing his work; they could pay to have him retire early. However, it was briefly taken down given the low response. The money made from the page was subsequently donated to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library in Long Beach. On October 2, Staples released his third studio album FM!. Produced primarily by Kenny Beats, the album is framed as a radio station takeover, featuring recurring skits hosted by Los Angeles radio host Big Boy. Additionally, Staples contributed the song "Home" to the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, which was originally previewed in the movie's trailer in December 2017.

Staples and rapper Tyler, the Creator announced on 15 November 2018 that they would be doing a tour around North America from 26 January to 4 March 2018. Staples collaborated with film composer Hans Zimmer on a remix of the UEFA Champions League Anthem for the FIFA 19 reveal trailer. On 15 December 2018, Staples and celebrated singer and songwriter Billie Eilish released the single "&Burn", which would later appear on the reissue of Eilish's EP Don't Smile at Me later that month. The song was certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on 2 April 2020.

In 2019, Staples released three singles: "So What?", "Sheet Music", and "Ad 01: Hell Bound", each accompanied by an episode of his YouTube series The Vince Staples Show.

By April 2021, Staples announced that he was working on a new album, which was later revealed to be self-titled. Released on 9 July 2021, Vince Staples received critical acclaim for its introspective lyrics and minimalist production. Critics praised its concise nature and the depth of its lyrical content, highlighting it as a significant work in Staples' discography.

2022–present: ''Ramona Park Broke My Heart'', ''The Vince Staples Show'', and ''Dark Times''

Main article: Ramona Park Broke My Heart{{!}}Ramona Park Broke My Heart, The Vince Staples Show{{!}}The Vince Staples Show, Dark Times (album){{!}}Dark Times

On 8 April 2022, Staples released his fifth studio album, Ramona Park Broke My Heart, through Motown Records. The album delves into his relationship with the Long Beach neighborhood, Ramona Park, blending personal narratives with broader social commentary. The album garnered acclaim for its lyrical depth and production quality. Pitchfork's Matthew Ismael Ruiz praised the album for being a "richly detailed, deadpan elegy for [Staples'] stolen youth" that "diverges from the innovation and technical proficiency of earlier records, in favor of introspection and contemplation." He noted that Staples' use of "detail-rich raps" to paint "unvarnished portraits" of growing up in Long Beach has the potential to connect with people around the world "not because those experiences feel shared, but because they feel honest, and worn with pride." In his review for Vulture, music critic Craig Jenkins said: "[The album] is a careful balancing act, a love letter to street life that doesn't slouch on honest discussion of the trouble that can come with gang affiliations, a modern West Coast rap album trying to wrap its arms around three decades of hip-hop history, a Universal Music Group release that feels calculatedly commercial without ever sounding gimmicky or airheaded."

In September 2022, Staples had a recurring role on the second season of Quinta Brunson's Abbott Elementary (2021–present). He also starred in White Men Can't Jump (2023), a remake of the 1992 film of the same name, which received mixed reviews. In March 2023, he was featured on Tyler, The Creator's Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale on the track "Stuntman."

On 15 February 2024, Staples released The Vince Staples Show, a Netflix limited series that James Poniewozik of The New York Times called "an impressionistic alt-comedy built around the deadpan sensibility of its star." He commended the five-episode "hard-to-pin-down show" for being "mordantly funny, visually arresting and an entertaining enigma." The Guardian's Leila Latif praised the "semi-autobiographical sitcom," in which Staples plays a fictionalized version of himself, for being "a wonderfully surreal exercise in Black creativity." She found him to be an "endlessly compelling presence" in a show that delves into "series issues" such as mass incarceration and gun violence. "But these issues," she writes, "only arise as they serve Vince's story, rather than his journey being used as a tool to preach about struggles facing the entire African American community." On 30 May 2024, Staples confirmed that Netflix had renewed the series for a second season.

In May 2024, Staples released his album Dark Times, marking his final project with Def Jam. The album was met with critical acclaim. On 1 August 2024, he was featured on JPEGMAFIA's 5th studio album titled, "I Lay Down My Life for You" on the song, "New Black History". On August 8, 2025, he was featured on the track, "VCRs", on JID's fourth studio album God Does Like Ugly.

The second season of The Vince Staples Show premiered on 6 November 2025, with six new episodes.

Other ventures

Corporate sponsorship

Since 2015, Staples has appeared in advertising campaigns for Sprite and promoted the brand through his Twitter feed. In June 2022, Staples partnered with Acura on a launch campaign for the next-gen Acura Integra.

Philanthropy

Staples has outspoke about the dangers of the gang lifestyle. On 14 June 2016, Staples announced his assistance in a YMCA program that will benefit young people in North Long Beach. The Youth Institute would teach graphic design, 3D printing, product design, music production and filmmaking to 20 eighth and ninth graders at Hamilton Middle School. Staples donated an undisclosed amount to the program.

Personal life

Staples lived with his ex-girlfriend, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship with since middle school, in Orange County, California. After their breakup in September 2015, he moved to Downtown Los Angeles. He supports the Los Angeles Clippers. He is "an avid fan" of modern art and referenced the French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois in his song Rain Come Down and postmodern visual satirist Richard Prince in his song Homage.

Staples does not publicly describe himself as an atheist, but has dismissed mainstream religious beliefs, saying: "I believe that people need what they need to survive, but do I think there's a floating man with a blowout? No. Maybe a beaver. Maybe an aardvark. Maybe a body of water."

Staples follows a straight edge lifestyle and does not drink alcohol or take illicit drugs.

Discography

Main article: Vince Staples discography

Albums

• Summertime '06 (2015)
• Big Fish Theory (2017)
• FM! (2018)
• Vince Staples (2021)
• Ramona Park Broke My Heart (2022)
• Dark Times (2024)

Concert tours

Headlining

• Hell Can Wait Tour (2014)
• Circa '06 Tour (2015–16)
• The Life Aquatic Tour (2016–17)
• Smile, You're On Camera (2019)
• Black in America Tour (2024)

Supporting

• Mac Miller - Space Migration Tour (2013)
• Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$ Tour (2014)
• A$AP Rocky & Tyler, the Creator - Rocky and Tyler Tour (2015)
• Flume - Australian Tour (2016)
• Gorillaz - Humanz Tour (2017)
• Tyler, the Creator - Flower Boy Tour (2018)
• Childish Gambino - This Is America Tour (2018)
• Tyler, the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost Tour (2022)

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

References

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