ASAP Ferg

ASAP Ferg Bio

Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr. (born 20 October 1988), known professionally as ASAP Ferg (stylized FERG since 2021), is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. A lead member of the hip-hop collective ASAP Mob, Ferg rose to prominence with his 2013 single “Work (Remix)” and his debut studio album Trap Lord (2013), which entered the top ten of the Billboard 200. He followed with Always Strive and Prosper (2016) and later releases including Floor Seats II (2020) and Darold (2024).

Early Life and Background

Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr. was born on October 20, 1988, in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City to Trinidadian parents. Ferg was raised in Hamilton Heights. His father, Darold Ferguson, owned a small Harlem boutique and printed shirts and created logos for record labels including Bad Boy Records and Uptown Records and performers Teddy Riley, Heavy D and Bell Biv DeVoe.

Before starting his music career, Ferg initially aspired to start his own clothing line. Inspired by his father, who died of kidney failure, Ferg launched clothing and jewelry lines at a young age and attended art school. In 2005, Ferg launched Devoni Clothing, which designs and distributes high-end belts that have been worn by Chris Brown, Swizz Beatz and Diggy Simmons.

Path to Singer

By 2009, he started developing an aggressive, trap style of hip-hop. “Trapping means hustling,” he explained. “I went from painting to making clothes to rapping. I always put myself into everything I do one hundred percent.” Friends since high school, A$AP Rocky recognized that Ferg had an “impeccable hustle game” and pushed Ferg to continue rapping as much as possible.

They later joined the hip hop collective A$AP Mob, from which they both adopted their respective monikers. Since 2010, they collaborated on various songs such as “Get High,” “Kissin’ Pink” and “Ghetto Symphony”, the latter being from Rocky’s chart-topping major label debut, Long. Live. A$AP (2013).

ASAP Ferg Career

Early Career (2007-2012)

Ferg began his music career in 2007 as part of the hip-hop collective ASAP Mob. He initially focused on developing his aggressive trap style of hip-hop while building his clothing brand Devoni Clothing. During this period, he collaborated with ASAP Rocky on various tracks, establishing himself within the hip-hop scene.

His debut single “Work,” produced by Chinza and Fly, appeared on the A$AP Mob mixtape Lords Never Worry, released on August 28, 2012. The song’s music video quickly earned over 2 million online views and was dubbed one of the “50 Best Songs of 2012” by Complex Magazine.

Breakthrough (2013-2014)

On January 10, 2013, it was announced that Ferg signed a record deal with RCA Records and Polo Grounds. On May 14, 2013, the remix to “Work”, featuring fellow American rappers A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q, French Montana and Trinidad James, was released to digital retailers. The song marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

On June 2, 2013, Ferg announced that his debut album Trap Lord would be released on August 20, 2013. The album featured guest appearances from hip hop groups Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Onyx and debuted at number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart, with total album sales of 46,000 copies in the United States.

Notable Works and Milestones

Ferg’s signature work includes the platinum-certified single “Work (Remmix)” and his debut album Trap Lord which reached the top ten of the Billboard 200. He was named “Rookie of the Year” at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, and in 2014, he appeared as a featured artist on the track “Hands on Me” by Ariana Grande, from her second album My Everything.

ASAP Ferg Award Nominations

Throughout his career, ASAP Ferg has received several award nominations recognizing his contributions to hip-hop music. His early commercial success with “Work (Remix)” and debut album Trap Lord established him as a notable new voice in the industry.

ASAP Ferg Awards Won

ASAP Ferg has been recognized for his contributions to hip-hop music with several prestigious awards. His notable achievements include being named “Rookie of the Year” at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards for his debut work in the industry.

ASAP Ferg Family

ASAP Ferg is the son of Darold Ferguson, who owned a small Harlem boutique and created logos for various record labels including Bad Boy Records and Uptown Records. His father inspired his early ventures into fashion and passed away due to kidney failure, which motivated Ferg to pursue his entrepreneurial and musical ambitions.

Personal Life

Outside of music, Ferguson founded the street fashion brand Traplord in 2012, namesake of his debut album. He has been involved in various business ventures including clothing lines and jewelry collections. As of 2021, he dropped the “A$AP” from his professional name and is now known simply as FERG for his solo career, though he remains a member of ASAP Mob.