Vince Staples: ‘Hip-Hop Doesn’t Really Have Any Rules’
Vince Staples says hip-hop has no fixed rules and describes his latest album, *Crybaby*, as drawing on punk, funk, jazz and other sounds. In a live interview, he also discussed the demands of touring, where artists and their teams must fund the operation before knowing whether ticket sales will cover the costs.
Staples said the album was assembled from songs written over several years, with “Blackberry” among the oldest and “TV Guide” among the newest. He described building songs from fragments and finding the right production around them, while stressing that artists make music by expressing honest thoughts and emotions. He also said he sees the exchange between artists and listeners as balanced when people appreciate the work.
In short
- *Crybaby* draws on a range of genres.
- Some album tracks took years to come together.
- Touring requires substantial spending before ticket sales are known.
Explained simply
Vince Staples is an American rapper from Long Beach, California, who has also worked as an actor and television creator. He became known for lyrics that draw on his experiences and observations, and has released music both as a solo artist and with the hip-hop group Cutthroat Boyz.
Hip-hop developed in the United States in the 1970s and includes rapping, DJing and a wide range of musical styles. Artists often combine it with other sounds, so albums can vary widely in how they are made and what they explore. Touring is a major part of many musicians’ work: artists and their teams usually pay costs such as travel and equipment before ticket income is known.
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