AWGE
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| AWGE | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Universal Music Group (UMG) |
| Founder | A$AP Rocky |
| Status | Active |
| Distributing label | Interscope |
| Genre | Hip-Hop/Rap |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Official website | https://awge.com/ |
AWGE is an American creative agency, online-shop[1] and record label founded in 2014 by American artist ASAP Rocky. The label has signed acts including A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, A$AP Ferg, Slowthai, ThotTwat, Key!, Smooky Margiela, A$AP Mob.
AWGE has two rules: #1. Never reveal what AWGE means. #2. When in doubt, always refer to rule #1.[2][3]
History
[change | change source]AWGE was founded in the mid-2010s by A$AP Rocky as a creative extension of the A$AP Mob movement. The collective was designed to provide full creative control over music releases, visual direction, merchandise, and artistic branding.
The name “AWGE” has never been officially defined by its founder, contributing to the group’s mystique. Rocky has repeatedly declined to explain its meaning in interviews.
In 2016, AWGE released Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends, a compilation album credited to A$AP Mob, marking one of the first major projects distributed under the AWGE imprint. The label later partnered with major distributors such as RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music.
Beyond music, AWGE has been heavily involved in:
- Creative direction for A$AP Rocky projects
- Fashion collaborations (including work connected to Vlone and high-fashion brands)
- Music video direction under the AWGE creative credit
- Branding and merchandising for affiliated artists
The collective operates with limited public disclosure regarding its internal structure.
Roster
[change | change source]Recording
[change | change source]Current
[change | change source]- A$AP Rocky – Founder, rapper, creative director
- A$AP Ant – Rapper
- Playboi Carti (formerly closely affiliated; past AWGE association through creative direction)
- Slowthai (past AWGE collaboration/association)
- Various A$AP Mob members and affiliates
Former
[change | change source]- Artists and affiliates associated during specific project cycles; AWGE does not publicly disclose formal contractual departures.
Publishing
[change | change source]AWGE operates publishing functions tied to its recording artists, often in partnership with major publishing companies. Specific publishing agreements are typically administered through larger industry entities connected to RCA or Sony Music.
In-house producers
[change | change source]AWGE frequently collaborates with a network of recurring producers, including:
- Kelvin Krash
- Clams Casino (longtime A$AP collaborator)
- Hector Delgado
- Ty Beats (A$AP Mob affiliate)
- Jahlil Beats (collaborator on various projects)
The collective often prioritizes atmospheric, experimental, and avant-garde hip-hop production.
In-house songwriters
[change | change source]Songwriting within AWGE projects is often collaborative. Key contributors include:
- A$AP Rocky
- Members of A$AP Mob
- Kelvin Krash
- Various recurring co-writers depending on the project
AWGE emphasizes creative direction and aesthetic cohesion rather than traditional label-structured songwriting teams.
Discography
[change | change source]Studio albums
[change | change source]While AWGE functions primarily as a creative imprint, projects released under its banner include:
- Testing – A$AP Rocky (2018)
- Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends – A$AP Mob (2016)
- Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy – A$AP Mob (2017)
(Additional releases by affiliated artists have carried AWGE creative credit.)
Compilation albums
[change | change source]- Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends (2016)
- Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy (2017)
Other charted songs
[change | change source]Songs released under AWGE creative direction that achieved chart success include:
- “Yamborghini High” – A$AP Mob
- “RAF” – A$AP Mob feat. Playboi Carti, Quavo & Lil Uzi Vert
- “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” – A$AP Rocky feat. Skepta
See also
[change | change source]- A$AP Mob
- A$AP Rocky
- RCA Records
- Polo Grounds Music
- American hip hop record labels
- Creative collectives in hip hop
- Vlone
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Hine, Samuel (2024-06-24). ""American Sabotage": A$AP Rocky präsentiert seine erste Show auf der Paris Fashion Week". GQ Germany (in German). Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ↑ Diaz, Angel (2025-02-10). "A$AP Rocky Urges A$AP Twelvyy to Not Tell Courtroom What 'AWGE' Means: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
- ↑ "AWGE, a creative agency founded by A$AP Rocky". awge.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.