26-year-old A$AP Mob founder A$AP Yams has reportedly passed away. There's no further details on this sudden tragedy right now, but several A$AP Mob members have confirmed his death on social media.
Steven Rodriguez—aka Yams—formed the Mob with A$AP Bari and A$AP Illz back in 2007, and met Rocky in 2008; by 2011, they were signing major label deals. As he told the New York Times in 2013, "Rocky's like Luke Skywalker, and I'm Yoda." The ambitious hip-hop mogul had had the letters "A$AP" tattooed on his forearm since the age of 17. "We wanted to become big," he explained in the NYT profile, "but we didn't want to do it by hopping on somebody else's wave. We wanted to come in the game with our own wave."
R.I.P YAMS, I LOVE YOU BROTHER
A photo posted by PRETTY FLACKO (@asvpxrocky) on
R.i.P Bro see you in paradise #asapferg #asapmob #cozyboy #yamborgini #yamz
A photo posted by asapferg (@asapferg) on
Update 1/18/15 1:54 p.m.: A$AP Mob's labels, Polo Grounds Music and RCA, have issued official statements on Yams' passing.
Polo Grounds Music:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend A$AP Yams. A true visionary, Yams was a driving force in A$AP Mob. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be truly missed.
RCA:
All of us at RCA Records are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of A$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.
