Vincent Jamal Staples was born on July 2, 1993, in Compton, California, and grew up in North Long Beach, after his mother decided she wanted to move away from Compton due to the high crime rates.[8] He has two older brothers and three older sisters, making him the youngest of six siblings.
Staples attended Optimal Christian Academy from 4th to 8th grade, which he said was an influential and positive experience.[9] During high school, Staples' mom sent him to Atlanta to stay with one of his sisters. He attended Westlake High School in Fulton County for six months.[10] 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,[10][11] 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 stated, "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."[12]
Career
2009–2013: Beginnings and Stolen Youth
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 hip hop. He released his debut mixtape, Shyne Coldchain Vol. 1, on December 30, 2011, via applebird.com.[13] In October 2012, he released a collaborative mixtape with Michael Uzowuru, Winter in Prague. It was produced by Uzowuru.[14]
In 2012, Earl Sweatshirt returned from Samoa and reconnected with Vince. Earl 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.[15] Following Stolen Youth's release, he toured as a supporting act on Miller's The 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.[14]
2014–2015: Shyne Coldchain Vol. 2, Hell Can Wait, and Summertime '06
On August 15, 2014, Staples released a music video for "Blue Suede".[19] The track was made available on iTunes.[20][21] On September 9, 2014, Vince released another new song titled "Hands Up" via iTunes. He released the EP Hell Can Wait on October 7, 2014.[22] 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.[23]
On May 4, 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.,[24] In June 2015, Staples was named as one of the ten rappers of XXL's "2015 Freshman Class".[3] On June 15, Staples released the second single from his debut album, "Get Paid" featuring Desi Mo. On June 22, he released the album's third and final single, "Norf Norf".[25] The track reached viral prominence after a video of a mom tearfully complaining about the song became popular on social media.[26] The album was released on June 30, 2015.[27] It received widespread acclaim and debuted at number 39 on the US Billboard 200.[28][29]
2016–2017: Prima Donna and Big Fish Theory
Staples performing in 2017
On February 23, 2016, Staples was announced as part of the line up for the 2016 Osheaga Music Festival.[30] On August 25, 2016, Staples released his second EP, the seven-track Prima Donna, which was accompanied by a short film.[31] On February 3, 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.[32] On March 23, 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",[33][34] which was followed by the album's third single, "Rain Come Down" on June 8, 2017, featuring Ty Dolla Sign. The album was released on June 23 and received with widespread critical acclaim.[35][36]
2018–2021: FM!, The Vince Staples Show, and self-titled album
Staples performing in March 2018
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.[40] 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.[41] 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.[42]
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.[43][44]
By April 2021, Staples announced that he was working on a new album, which was later revealed to be self-titled. Released on July 9, 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.[45]
2022–present: Ramona Park Broke My Heart, The Vince Staples Show, and Dark Times
On April 8, 2022, Vince Staples released his fifth studio album, Ramona Park Broke My Heart, through Motown Records. The album delves into Staples' relationship with his Long Beach neighborhood, Ramona Park, blending personal narratives with broader social commentary. The album garnered acclaim for its lyrical depth and production quality.[46][47]
On February 15, 2024, Staples released a Netflix limited series, The Vince Staples Show. The five-episode series was well-received, with critics praising its unique blend of humor and authenticity. James Poniewozik of The New York Times described the show as "an entertaining enigma," appreciating its ability to leave the audience wanting more.[48] On May 30, 2024, it was renewed for a second season.[49]
In 2024, Vince Staples released his album Dark Times, marking his final project with Def Jam. The album was met with critical acclaim.[50]
Other ventures
Corporate sponsorship
Since 2015, Staples has appeared in advertising campaigns for Sprite and promoted the brand through his Twitter feed.[51] In June 2022, Staples partnered with Acura on a launch campaign for the next-gen Acura Integra.[52]
Philanthropy
On June 14, 2016, Staples announced his assistance in a YMCA program that will benefit young people in North Long Beach.[53] 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.[53] Staples donated an undisclosed amount to the program.[53][54][55]
Personal life
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.[56] Growing up, Staples spent a lot of time with his maternal grandfather, Andrew Hutchins, a retired truck driver and construction worker who was a young boy when he arrived in the United States.[57] He met Staples' grandmother at the age of sixteen and left to join the army to help support his family.[56] 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.[56][57]
Staples who lives in Southern California[58] is a fan of the Los Angeles Clippers.[59] 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.[60]
Staples has stated that he follows a straight edge lifestyle and does not drink alcohol or take illicit drugs.[61]
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