| Full Name: | Darold D. Brown Ferguson, Jr. |
| Birthday: | October 20, 1988 |
| Age: | 34 |
| Hometown: | Harlem, New York City |
A$AP Ferg, born Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr., is an acclaimed rapper and hip hop artist from the historic neighborhood of Harlem in New York City. With his trademark flow, sharp lyricism, and ability to fuse styles, Ferg has become one of the most exciting and successful rappers to emerge from Harlem.
Early Life in Uptown Manhattan
Ferg was born in 1988 and grew up surrounded by creativity and fashion in Harlem. His father Darold Ferguson owned a boutique in the area, and exposed Ferg to fashion and style from a young age. As a teenager, Ferg started rapping and penned lyrics influenced by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Three 6 Mafia, and his cousin Cam‘ron.
In 2002, an ambitious 14-year-old Ferg formed a hip hop collective with neighborhood friends called the Devoni Clan. They released mixtapes around Harlem, gaining a local buzz. This eventually led to Ferg joining the burgeoning hip hop collective A$AP Mob in 2006, founded by A$AP Yams, A$AP Bari and A$AP Illz around their shared interests in music, fashion and art.
From A$AP Mob to Solo Stardom
As part of A$AP Mob, Ferg started gaining recognition beyond Harlem for his rhyme patterns, flows, and raw storytelling. He contributed to many of A$AP‘s mixtapes, including the 2012 breakout Lord$ Never Worry. Tracks like "Work" highlighted his talents, blending "witty wordplay with his unpredictable, melodic flow" [1].
In 2013, Ferg signed major record deals with Polo Grounds Music and RCA Records. That same year, he released his debut album Trap Lord to critical acclaim, debuting at number 9 on the Billboard 200. Songs like "Shabba" (featuring A$AP Rocky), "Hood Pope," and "Dump Dump" helped cement Ferg as a solo force in hip hop.
Versatility and Success as a Solo Artist
Ferg‘s sophomore album Always Strive and Prosper (2016) debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, showing his consistency. It contained the smash hit "New Level" featuring Future, which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. His third album Still Striving (2017) incorporated trap, boom bap, and more diverse styles. Singles like "Plain Jane" and "Nandos" displayed Ferg‘s versatility.
Beyond his own music, Ferg has been featured on tracks with Rick Ross, Migos, Nicki Minaj, and many more. He runs his own label Devoni Clan, and has collaborated with brands like Adidas, Calvin Klein, and Timberland. After nearly a decade in hip hop, Ferg remains devoted to his hometown of Harlem.
Defining Characteristics of Ferg‘s Music
There are a few key elements that define A$AP Ferg‘s music:
- His flow is incredibly versatile and adaptive – he can rhyme over any style of beat.
- His wordplay and rhymes are complex, unpredictable, and clever ("Ask me how I did it all without a pen, pencil/Made dams start to trickle, I‘m the original" – "Value").
- His lyrics tell authentic stories of his life experiences growing up in Harlem.
- He fuses musical styles like trap, boom bap, cloud rap, and more into a distinctive sound.
- His charismatic delivery and high energy gives his music great replay value.
These traits make A$AP Ferg one of the most unique and creative voices in hip hop today. Nearly a decade into his career, his love for music still shines through in his multifaceted work. Ferg continues to prove why he stands out among the best rappers of his generation.
