Here’s What Went Down at 2017 Yams Day
A$AP Yams' spirit was heavily felt at the second annual A$AP Yams Day, held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden last night (Jan. 19) in New York. The lineup was insane with a stacked set of performers including Young Thug, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Tyler, The Creator, A$AP Mob, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Playboi Carti, Danny Brown, French Montana, Lil Uzi Vert, Cam'ron, T-Pain and more.
Like most rap shows, the stage was completely filled with artists and their respective entourages, with each rapper performing quick sets for a fun-filled, three-hour show. The place was electric and filled to the brim with hip-hop lovers paying their respects to the late A$AP Yams.
The entire A$AP Mob was in the house, led by A$AP Rocky and A$AP Ferg. Rocky and Tyler, The Creator performed “Telephone Calls,” off Cozy Tapes Vol 1: Friends. Ferg also lead a united Yams tribute.
Kendrick Lamar destroyed his set, performing “m.A.A.d. city” while Young Thug performed “Best Friend” and The Weeknd sang “Low Life” sans Future.
“One time make some noise for A$AP Yams. R.I.P. That’s the brother right there. He’s for the culture. A$AP is the culture. XO is the culture,” The Weeknd said after A$AP Rocky encouraged the singer to perform one more song.
Before the night began, a handful of rappers paid tribute to the fallen hip-hop icon on social media.
Last month, A$AP Mob released a book compiling their leader’s best tweets. A$AP Yams Gems is on sale now at the Trap Lord online store for $45. All proceeds from the book will go to the A$AP Foundation, which is dedicated to the purpose of greater drug abuse awareness and prevention.
Two years ago, Yams was found dead at his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was 26 years old. Members of the rap world, especially A$AP Mob members, shared their grief online and in interviews for months after. Two months after his death, Yams’ cause of death was revealed to be a drug overdose mixed with intoxication. A$AP Rocky dedicated his sophomore album, At.Long.Last.A$AP, to the fallen founder of their crew in 2015.
Take a look at exclusive photos from the show above and watch some of the performances below.