ASAP Bari
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{short description|American fashion designer and businessman (born 1991)}}
{{Redirect|Young Lord|the American hip hop and R&B record producer|Younglord}}
{{Infobox person
| name = ASAP Bari
| image = ASAP Bari.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Shelton in 2012
| birth_name = Jabari Shelton
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|12|23}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names = {{hlist|A$AP Bari|Young Lord}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Designer
- entrepreneur
}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| known_for = Co-founder of ASAP Mob and VLONE
}}
Jabari Shelton (born December 23, 1991), better known as ASAP Bari (stylized as ASAP Bari) or Young Lord,{{cite web |title=Young Lord |url=https://www.asapmob.com/tag/young-lord/ |website=www.asapmob.com |access-date=October 6, 2022}} is an American streetwear designer and entrepreneur. He is known as a co-founder of the New York hip-hop collective ASAP Mob, which he formed in 2006 alongside ASAP Yams, ASAP Kham, and ASAP Illz.{{cite web|last=Pablo|first=J.|title=Meet The A$AP Mob: Talking To Ant, Ferg, J. Scott, Nast, Twelvy, And Yams|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/08/meet_asap_mob.php|access-date=December 18, 2012|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527034452/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/08/meet_asap_mob.php|url-status=dead}} He was also a co-founder of the streetwear clothing label Vlone, before being ousted in October 2022.{{cite web|title=25 Under 25: The Young Leaders of StyleA$AP Bari|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2012/11/25-under-25-the-young-leaders-of-style/asap-bari|website=Complex|access-date=July 13, 2017|language=en}}
Career
=ASAP Mob=
In 2006, Shelton founded the rap collective ASAP Mob alongside ASAP Yams, ASAP Kham, and ASAP Illz. Shelton does not contribute to the Mob as a musical artist (rap or produce) but handles the creative functions and networks with other individuals for the collective.{{cite web|title=A$AP Bari, Hood Fashionist {{!}} Mass Appeal|url=https://massappeal.com/asap-bari-hood-fashionist/|website=Mass Appeal|access-date=July 13, 2017|date=June 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612152642/https://massappeal.com/asap-bari-hood-fashionist/|archive-date=June 12, 2017|url-status=dead}} Shelton was the one who allegedly introduced rapper ASAP Rocky to ASAP Yams. While establishing himself, his influences in the rap industry were Sean Combs and Dame Dash, two fellow Harlemites.
=Vlone=
Following the success of various ASAP Mob members (most notably Rocky), Shelton and fellow member Kamoni Chandler, known as ASAP K, co-founded the streetwear label, Vlone, in late 2011.{{Cite web |last=LIVE VLONE|first=DIE VLONE|title=STORE |url=https://livevlonedievlone.com/collections/unisex |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=VLONE® Official VLONE Store |language=en-US}} Vlone hoodies and shirts quickly became famous in the streets of Harlem. Shelton, who had previously been the head of ASAP Rocky's merchandise during his tours, worked with Chandler on the brand. After a falling out, Chandler left the brand, and Shelton took over. Shelton brought in Edison Chen of CLOT, who handles the design work of the label. He stated in an interview with Mass Appeal that much of his influence came from trying on and stealing clothes with his friends while living in Harlem, feeling the fabrics of high-value brands. Vlone is more than just a brand, it is a style and culture which means "You live alone and you die alone".{{Cite web|url=https://livevlonedievlone.com/|title=Official VLONE Website — LIVE VLONE DIE VLONE|website=VLONE}}
In 2014, Vlone debuted its first collection.{{cite web|title=Here's What Went Down at ASAP Bari's First-Ever VLONE Fashion Show|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2017/06/vlone-spring-summer-2018-fashion-show-tidal|website=Complex|access-date=July 13, 2017|language=en}} Vlone encountered a partnership with Nike in 2017;{{cite web|title=A$AP Bari Opens up About VLONE's Future Plans of Denim, Barbershops & More|url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/1/asap-bari-vlone-dull-magazine-interview|website=HYPEBEAST|date=January 25, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2017|language=en}} On July 31, a Nike spokesman confirmed that the Vlone deal with Shelton was terminated following the release of a video of him sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room.{{cite news |date=July 31, 2017 |title=Nike Ends Relationship With ASAP Bari After Sexual Assault Allegations |work=XXL |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/07/nike-ends-relationship-asap-bari/ |access-date=August 1, 2017}}
In June 2017, Vlone participated in its first runway show during the 2017 Paris Fashion Week.
In 2020, Vlone started collaborating with artists, pushing out merchandise for Juice Wrld,{{Cite web|title=Nav Connects With Virgil Abloh, VLONE, and nWo on 'Good Intentions' Album Merch|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2020/05/nav-good-intentions-merch-title-track-video|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Complex|language=en}} YoungBoy Never Broke Again,{{Cite web|title=YoungBoy NBA X VLONE TOP Tee in White + Digital Album|url=https://topalbumstore.com/products/youngboy-nba-x-vlone-top-tee-in-white-digital-album|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Youngboy NBA Official Merchandise Store|language=en}} the Weeknd,{{Cite web|title=The Weeknd x Vlone The Weeknd Tee Black|url=https://stockx.com/the-weeknd-x-vlone-the-weeknd-tee-black|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=stockx.com|language=en}} Nav,{{Cite web |title=Vlone x Nav |url=https://vlonestore.ltd/vlone-x-nav/ |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Vlone store |language=en}} Pop Smoke,{{Cite web |title=Vlone x Pop Smoke |url=https://vlonestore.ltd/vlone-x-pop-smoke/ |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=vlone store |language=en}} and more artists.
On October 8, 2022, citing issues with Bari's discrepancies against several affiliates of the ASAP Mob, attempting to take over the brand for himself, and five years of ignoring his sexual assault scandal, Vlone announced that he had been fired from the company.{{Cite web |title=VLONE Announces Departure of Co-Founder ASAP Bari, Says His Behavior is 'Contrary to Our Collective' |url=https://www.complex.com/style/vlone-removes-co-founder-asap-bari |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204082711/https://www.complex.com/style/vlone-removes-co-founder-asap-bari |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en}} In a confirmation via Instagram, they stated that they would not partake in "any irrational behavior associated or related with Jabari 'Younglord' Shelton. He has no authority to style himself as 'Mr. Vlone,' use or license Vlone – this behavior is contrary to our collective."
Recognition
In 2012, he was listed in Complex{{'s}} 25 Under 25: The Young Leaders of Style article for his streetwear style contributions. In 2017, Vlone, Shelton's former clothing brand, was showcased at a runway show in Paris.{{Cite web|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/vlone-fashion-show-paris/|title=VLONE Proved That Fashion Shows Are Pointless (but We Still Need Them)|date=July 6, 2017|website=Highsnobiety}}
Controversy
=Ian Connor=
Following rape allegations surrounding stylist and model Ian Connor, on June 23, 2016, Shelton punched Connor as he was leaving the Colette store in Paris, with Shelton further confronting Connor on Twitter surrounding the allegation, and later it escalated to Connor fighting Shelton.{{cite magazine|title=Ian Connor Gets Into Fight With ASAP Bari and Theophilus London|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/06/theophilus-london-confronts-ian-connor-dirty-rapist/|magazine=XXL|access-date=July 13, 2017|date=June 23, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Ian Connor Got into a Fight With A$AP Bari|url=http://www.highsnobiety.com/2016/06/24/ian-connor-asap-bari-theophilus-london-fight/|website=Highsnobiety|access-date=July 13, 2017|date=July 13, 2017}}
=2017 sexual assault case=
On July 12, 2017, a video emerged alleging sexual assault by Shelton against a nude woman.{{cite web|title=MTO EXCLUSIVE: Rapper ASAP Bari Allegedly Caught On Tape . . . Allegedly 'Sexually Assaulting' Woman!!!! - MTONews.com|url=http://mtonews.com/mto-shock-exclusive-rapper-asap-bari-caught-tape-allegedly-sexually-assaulting-woman/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170713171425/http://mtonews.com/mto-shock-exclusive-rapper-asap-bari-caught-tape-allegedly-sexually-assaulting-woman/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2017|website=Media Take Out|access-date=July 13, 2017|date=July 12, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Vídeo em que ASAP Bari da ASAP MOB abusa sexualmente de uma mulher é divulgado na web {{!}} Portal Rap +|url=http://rapmais.com/2017/07/12/asap-bari-da-asap-mob-abusa-sexualmente/|website=Portal Rap +|access-date=July 13, 2017|date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716205543/http://rapmais.com/2017/07/12/asap-bari-da-asap-mob-abusa-sexualmente/|archive-date=July 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} The video showed Shelton bursting into a hotel room she was sleeping in, yelling, "You fucked my assistant, now you are going to fuck with me", followed up by, "You better suck my cock now, bitch!"{{Cite web |title=ASAP Bari Accused of Sexual Harassment After Graphic Video Surfaces (UPDATE) |url=https://www.complex.com/style/2017/07/asap-bari-accused-sexual-harassment-graphic-video |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}} She said "no", and then Shelton pulled blankets and exposed her nude body to about 10 other men of ASAP Mob, and he followed her into the bathroom. She begged him to stop harassing her and began crying in fear. She was then allegedly thrown out of the room in the nude with Bari smacking her in the buttocks; she had the hotel manager call the police.{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/crime/asap-bari-sued-for-alleged-sexual-assault/|title=ASAP Rocky's Former Friend ASAP Bari Sued for Allegedly Sexual Assaulting a Woman|work=People|access-date=May 16, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2017/11/asap-bari-sued-for-alleged-sexual-assaullt|title=ASAP Bari Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assault|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=May 16, 2018}} Shelton claimed on Twitter that the video was "fake",{{cite web|title=A Disturbing Video With A$AP Bari Has Surfaced|url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/7/asap-bari-sexual-assault-video|website=HYPEBEAST|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=July 13, 2017|language=en}} though he later stated that the video was between "friends" and that they had "resolved this issue amicably among all parties as adults".{{cite magazine|title=A$AP Bari Responds to Sexual Assault Accusation After Explicit Video Leak: Exclusive|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7865961/asap-bari-video-sexual-assault-accusation-statement-response|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 14, 2017|date=July 13, 2017}}
In November 2017, the woman sued Shelton for over $1 million, stating she was sexually assaulted by him. However, the case was later dismissed as she decided to not proceed further with the investigation.{{cite web | url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/8/asap-bari-rape-case-dismissed | title=Sexual Assault Case Against A$AP Bari Has Reportedly Been Dismissed | date=August 11, 2018 }}
On May 18, 2018, Shelton was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on charges of sexual assault related to the incident.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/18/asap-bari-arrested-sexual-assault-london/|title=A$AP Bari Arrested in London for Sexual Assault|date=May 18, 2018|website=TMZ|access-date=May 18, 2018}} On January 3, 2019, Shelton pleaded guilty to the 2017 sexual assault in London. He avoided a possible prison sentence by paying the victim £2,000.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/01/asap-bari-pleads-guilty-sexual-assault/|title=ASAP BARI PLEADS GUILTY TO ONE COUNT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT|date=January 3, 2018|website=xxlmag.com|access-date=January 3, 2018}}
References
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Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople
Category:21st-century American businesspeople
Category:African-American fashion designers
Category:African-American record producers
Category:American businesspeople convicted of crimes
Category:American fashion designers
Category:American hip-hop record producers
Category:American marketing businesspeople
Category:American people convicted of sexual assault
Category:Businesspeople from Manhattan