Vince Staples

One of the more prominent voices in contemporary hip-hop, Vince Staples is a Long Beach (California) based rapper and songwriter with often a laid-back feel and a stripped down sound. His music tends to be economic in its beats and arrangements.  His melodies and delivery are generally measured and languid, often leaning towards the monotone side. He broke out in the early '10s while in the orbit of the Los Angeles based Odd Future collective, especially around his collaborations with Earl Sweatshirt. He is a very cerebral artist, armed with a dark (and dry) sense of humor and sharp observations, as well as sardonic and biting commentary. His more recent albums have been relatively more introspective, moody, focusing on his life in his hometown.