A$AP Ferg

Biography

Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr., known professionally as A$AP Ferg, was born on October 20, 1988, in Harlem, New York City. His father, Darold Ferguson, owned a boutique and printed shirts and logos for record labels like Bad Boy Records. Initially, Ferg was interested in fashion and even launched his own clothing and jewelry lines at a young age after attending art school. In 2005, he founded Devoni Clothing, creating high-end belts worn by celebrities such as Chris Brown and Swizz Beatz.

Music Career

Encouraged by his high school friend A$AP Rocky, Ferg began to focus on music. He joined the hip hop collective A$AP Mob, from which he adopted his moniker. By 2009, he was developing an aggressive trap style of hip-hop. He gained significant recognition in 2012 with his track "Work" from A$AP Mob's mixtape "Lords Never Worry". This led to a solo record deal with Polo Grounds and RCA in January 2013. A remix of "Work" featuring A$AP Rocky, French Montana, Schoolboy Q, and Trinidad James became his first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Studio Albums

A$AP Ferg has released several studio albums throughout his career. His debut album, "Trap Lord," was released in August 2013 to positive reviews and peaked in the top ten of the Billboard 200. His second album, "Always Strive and Prosper," was released in 2016 and also charted within the top ten. This album featured collaborations with artists like Missy Elliott, Chuck D, and Skrillex. He followed this with the mixtape "Still Striving" in 2017, which included the hit single "Plain Jane". His later projects include "Floor Seats" (2019), "Floor Seats II" (2020), and "Darold" (2024).

Notable Collaborations and Singles

Ferg's 2017 single "Plain Jane" became his first song to enter the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. His 2020 single, "Move Ya Hips," featuring Nicki Minaj and MadeinTYO, peaked at number 19, becoming his highest-charting track. "Floor Seats II" included collaborations with artists such as Marilyn Manson, Dennis Rodman, and Mulatto.

Other Ventures

Beyond his music career, Ferg has remained active in fashion and art. He founded the streetwear brand Traplord in 2012. He has also ventured into home goods, releasing a collection with Fancy.com that included items like bedding and towels. A lesser-known aspect of his creative endeavors is painting. He has partnered with brands like Adidas for sneaker collaborations and has been a brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co.