The hip-hop community is in mourning, following tragic news of the passing of A$AP Mob founder Steven Rodriguez, better known as A$AP Yams.
While cause of death and other details have yet to be confirmed, tributes have flooded social media sites Twitter and Instagram, with artists across the board paying tribute to the young lord including members of the A$AP Mob, Mac Miller, Drake, Azealia Banks, Action Bronson and countless more.
As the founding father of the New York rap collective, Yams projected the A$AP Mob to success, describing his role within the crew to the New York Times as “Rocky being like Luke Skywalker, and I’m Yoda.”
Yams can be credited for playing a instrumental role behind the scenes, having a hand in the beat selection for the A$AP Rocky album Long.Live.A$AP, along with Rocky’s debut mixtape, and numerous other projects, whilst creating a core following and online presence, helping land the crew their major record deal with RCA.
Below you can find tributes, along with statements on behalf of RCA and Polo Grounds Music.
All of us at RCA Records are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of A$AP Yams. As one of the creative forces behind A$AP Worldwide, Yams’ vision, humor and dedication to the members of A$AP Mob will always be remembered. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
—RCA
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend A$AP Yams. A true visionary, Yams was a driving force in A$AP Mob. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be truly missed.
—Polo Grounds Music
Rest in peace Yams. A$AP is family.
— Drizzy (@Drake) January 18, 2015
Damn. RIP @ASAPYams
— Mac (@MacMiller) January 18, 2015
Damn RIP Young Yams…
— #BRON2ON (@ActionBronson) January 18, 2015
A.S.A.P YAMS should be remembered as a leader, an innovator and most importantly as an important part of NYC youth culture.
— AZEALIA BANKS (@AZEALIABANKS) January 18, 2015
Sitting here crying for the dude yams – Lil B
— Lil B From The Pack (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) January 18, 2015
Nathan Fabiano
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