Ab-Soul

Ab-Soul, born Herbert Anthony Stevens IV in Carson, California, is a member of Top Dawg Entertainment's Black Hippy collective alongside Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Jay Rock. Known for his dense, layered wordplay and interest in philosophy, conspiracy theory, and spirituality, he built a reputation as one of the more cerebral and unpredictable voices to emerge from the West Coast in the 2010s.

His breakout mixtapes and albums, including Longterm Mentality, Control System, and These Days, established him as a critical favorite, with tracks like "Terrorist Threats" and "Illuminate" showcasing his intricate rhyme schemes and willingness to explore dark, personal subject matter. After years of relative quiet, he returned in 2022 with Herbert, his first album in six years and his first released through Interscope in partnership with TDE.

Ab-Soul's catalog is marked by a restless, exploratory approach to hip hop, blending introspective lyricism with left-field production choices. While his Black Hippy labelmates achieved larger mainstream crossover, Ab-Soul has maintained a devoted following for his willingness to push into more abstract and experimental territory.