A$AP Yams Is Dead At The Age Of 26

A$AP Yams, the hip-hop executive who was pivotal in launching ASAP Rocky’s career, has died at the age of 26.

Rocky, the Harlem rapper who topped album charts with his 2013 album Long.Live.ASAP, confirmed Yams’ death on Twitter.

While the New York Times reported that the cause of death was not immediately available, the International Business Times reiterated this by stating that the “details surrounding his death are uncertain.” However, the report on IBTimes went on to say that some Twitter users had tweeted that it was likely an overdose, and attributed it to a fatal mix of codeine and Xanax.

Another Twitter user, @ExpenssiveTaste, wrote “asap yams died over a lean overdose,” while @richgotaura tweeted inquisitively “ASAP Yams died because of a lean overdose?”

A$AP Ferg posted a statement on Instagram, in which he called him “the brilliant mind,” possibly a reference to his mastermind status behind A$AP Mob, as Yams was a co-owner of the ASAP Worldwide label and founder of the ASAP Mob, which is a collective of rappers, video directors, fashion designers, and producers.

“You were the brilliant mind […] You put us on game. You changed our lives. You changed my life. You changed the world. Rest in peace, Yams. There can never be another one after you.”

Other hip-hop artists chimed in on the recent death of Yams, whose real name was Steven Rodriguez. The artist known as Drake tweeted “Rest in peace Yams. A$AP is family.” Drake’s tweet was retweeted over 28,000 times.

Rest in peace Yams. A$AP is family.

— Drizzy (@Drake) January 18, 2015

Ferg posted on “R.i.P bro We all love and Miss you” on Instagram. The message was forwarded to the rapper’s Twitter.

We bugged out on New Years I didn't know that would be the last time Seeing my brother . R.i.P bro We… http://t.co/zPJ9gNiWoR

— FERG (@ASAPferg) January 19, 2015

Hip-hop artist Mac Miller chimed in on Twitter to convey his respects.

Azealia Banks, who has been beefing with Iggy Azalea, according to earlier reports here on Inquisitr, wrote that he “should be remembered as a leader, an innovator and most importantly as an important part of NYC youth culture.”

Rocky and Yams met back in 2008 through mutual friends, and the pair worked together in the studio to create Rocky’s sound. Yams told the Times that Rocky was “like Luke Skywalker,” but he was Yoda. The two worked with RCA Records, who released a statement on Sunday conveying how shocked they were to learn of Yams’ death.

“As one of the creative forces behind ASAP Worldwide, Yams’ vision, humor and dedication to the members of ASAP Mob will always be remembered.”

Yams worked extensively with Cutthroat Boys, a group which includes Vince Staples, Aston Matthews, and Joey Fatts, the latter of whom called Yams his best friend and “the savior of hip-hop,” MTV News reported.

What are your thoughts on the death of A$AP Yams?

[Image via A$AP Mob]