Brockhampton
American hip-hop collective that redefined the boy band label.
Brockhampton, an American hip-hop group from San Marcos, Texas, started in 2014 with members who met partly online. Known for their large, diverse lineup and fast output, they called themselves a boy band to challenge what that label meant.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- San Marcos, Texas, U.S.
- Genre
- Hip-hop
- alternative hip-hop
- alternative R&B
- pop rap
- Discography
- Brockhampton discography
- Years active
- 2014−2022Variously described as a breakup and an indefinite hiatus
- Spinoffs
- NoWifi
- Q3
- Video Store
- Blush
- Spinoff of
- AliveSinceForever
- Past members
- See Band members
Facts from the source article.
Career
In 2009, Kevin Abstract posted on the music forum KanyeLive seeking members for a collective. Hemnani responded positively to a parody cover Sileshi had made of 2 Chainz and Barack Obama. Producer Jabari Manwa, from Grenada, also met Abstract on the forum. Other members joined through prior connections: Abstract, Merlyn Wood, Matt Champion, and Ameer Vann made music together at The Woodlands High School. Hemnani, Dom McLennon, Rodney Tenor, and Jon Nunes lived in Connecticut and worked on music before Abstract recruited them. Northern Irish singer Bearface was introduced to Hemnani through a mutual friend. The collective AliveSinceForever included about 40 members and was decentralized. It played sparsely populated shows, including at South by Southwest, and released an EP in 2013. In 2014, AliveSinceForever contributed to Abstract's debut album MTV1987. Later that year, Boring moved to San Marcos for Texas State University; Abstract and others moved with him. Abstract dissolved AliveSinceForever and invited select members to form Brockhampton, named for the street he grew up on in Corpus Christi.
Artistry
Brockhampton was generally categorized as hip-hop, most consistently as alternative hip-hop. The Saturation trilogy incorporated pop rap, hardcore hip-hop, G-funk, and indie rock. Iridescence moved toward industrial hip-hop, experimental hip-hop, and progressive rap, influenced by UK rap and grime. Ginger was built around pop rap and alternative R&B. Technical Difficulties Radio embraced West Coast hip-hop and was the group's first project to heavily use sampling. Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine incorporated rap rock, contemporary R&B, and conscious hip-hop. The Family featured only Abstract on lead vocals and was a sample-heavy chipmunk soul, southern hip-hop, and drumless hip-hop album. TM incorporated trap and dance-pop. The group's vocalists each had a specific niche. Kevin Abstract often performed pop choruses, with lyrics about homophobia and fame. Ameer Vann performed in a gangsta rap style based on his Houston upbringing. Matt Champion's verses addressed relationships, insecurities, and substance abuse. Dom McLennon used a backpack rap style with conscious verses on politics and racism. Merlyn Wood acted as hype man, shouting about relationships and his Ghanaian background. JOBA performed ballads, screaming, and comedy rap. Bearface initially appeared only at the end of each Saturation album with guitar-driven ballads, then took a more prominent role from Iridescence onward. Jabari Manwa became a performing member on Technical Difficulties Radio, often singing Auto-Tuned choruses on Roadrunner and TM.
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