Music
ASAP Rocky Is ‘Running Out Of Rare Pics’ To Celebrate ASAP Yams’ Birthday
Getty Image ASAP Mob has kept its founder’s memory alive through annual concerts and tribute posts but time marches on. …

Rap is still a relatively young genre, both in terms of its age and its demographic, but even its freshest artists can feel the effects of Father Time’s unstoppable progress. It’s been over five years since ASAP Mob founder ASAP Yams passed away due to an overdose on lean and in that time, the group has fought hard to keep his memory alive. However, ASAP Rocky particularly seems to find himself struggling with the task as he celebrates what would have been Yams’ 32nd birthday today.
“I’m runnin’ out of rare pics,” he wrote in the Instagram caption of a post paying homage to his late mentor and friend. “Happy Birthday, East Side Steve,” he saluted. “Love U 2 death N after.” The photo in question is a group shot, with Rocky flipping off the camera, Yams smoking a cigarette, ASAP Ferg sitting or squatting next to them, and what looks like the members of Migos looking at the wrong camera.
Yams, real name Steven Rodriguez, died in January 2015 after vowing to give up hard drugs like codeine but relapsing and overdosing on a mixture of opiates and benzodiazepine. Since then, the ASAP Mob has held an annual ASAP Yams Day concert to celebrate his life and influence. Unfortunately, this year’s event was canceled along with most other live entertainment as a result of the ongoing coronavirus epidemic.
Album Review
R3b3l I explores self-discovery through sound on “A Different Frequency” album
In a music scene often ruled by lyrics, R3b3l I proves that you can tell a powerful story without a single lyric. “A Different Frequency” is a twelve-track instrumental hip-hop and rap-inspired album inviting you into a deeply personal journey of growth, self-discovery, and purpose, speaking its message purely through mood, rhythm, and expression.
“Dance Before the Throne” opens the album, immediately establishing the tone of reflection and reverence. From here, “Elevate” and “The Wave” continue, adding momentum and a sense of movement and change. Each piece is a chapter in a larger story, allowing you to interpret the music with your own experience.
Songs like “I AM Power,” “Level Up,” and “Awaken” seem to be a big part of the progression of the album. The energy is one of empowerment and inner evolution. “The Jazzy Hop” is a nice change of pace in style, with a smooth, groove-flavored taste that shows R3b3l I’s versatility. Meanwhile, “Carousel,” “Raindrops,” and “Heartbeat” are moments of introspection that balance uplifting themes with emotional depth and openness.
The project wraps up on an emotional high with “Ancestors,” a heartfelt tribute to the forebears and the invisible forces that still influence us on our journeys. It’s a fitting way to close out an album about connection, growth, and purpose. “A Different Frequency” is more than a collection of tracks with carefully constructed instrumentals and thoughtful sequencing, and it’s a rewarding journey for those who want immersive instrumental hip-hop with heart, imagination, and substance.
Artist Spotlight
“Signalling Signatures” finds Mr Pigeons exploring dreams, truth, and hidden meanings
While the first look at an upcoming project usually sets the expectations, Mr Pigeons does something more ambitious with “Signalling Signatures.” With this release, the hip-hop artist opens up a portal into “Shining Arras,” inviting you into a world where dreams, symbols, and hidden meanings collide.
“Signalling Signatures” is an exploration of the thin veil between reality and imagination, based on themes of altered consciousness and shifting perspectives. The song is a mix of mythology, film, and spiritual symbolism and encourages you to look beyond the ordinary and find the messages in everyday life. Mr Pigeons delivers with purpose and swagger, blending introspection with crisp storytelling. He also renders the abstract ideas of the song accessible.
The thing about “Signalling Signatures” that is so compelling is its sheer audacity to challenge you. There are no easy answers in this song, only a quest for truth, perception, and uncertainty. A good opening chapter to “Shining Arras,” and it manages to build up suspense as well as showing Mr Pigeons’ artistic vision. “Signalling Signatures” is a good introduction to what could be an interesting new creative phase for the artist.
Connect with Mr Pigeons on | Website | Spotify | X | FB | TikTok | IG |
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