Greetings! This is a new writing vehicle I’m going to start toying with around here, in some respects as a pure excuse to write, in other ways as an outlet for my appreciation (and often obsession) with certain artists, and music in general. Basically, I’ll just pick a specific musical act I enjoy, and tell you how I discovered them, some of my favorite tracks, and why I find them so worthy of attention. I guess it’s worth noting, that by no means am I intending to expose a bunch of new artists nobody has heard of, to show them to the world. I will discuss groups you’ve probably already heard of if you have your ear to the ground in the music world. But if not, hopefully this will give you good reason to check ’em out. That’s the idea at least, so takes some notes and keep track and you’ll know the score. HA! Music Words.
Because of his recent and topical return to America, the music scene, and his life, I figure Earl Sweatshirt would be an appropriate selection for my first music related post. Though some of this post may be obvious review for long time Earl fans, this is the story of my discovery of his music
I first heard Earl quite recently, last semester of college. My first exposure was through my friend Sam at UPJ, who showed me the shock-video for his single quaintly titled: Earl. Earl is a member of the rule-breaking, DIY, disregard-the-norm rap group Odd Future. I have certainly jumped on their bandwagon. Their attitude and work ethic has not ceased to impress me since I first heard of their crew (which I was admittedly late on, a fact that upsets me). They have done everything their own way, which is admirable in my book. BUT this isn’t about Odd Future as a whole, it’s about Sweatshirt.
Earl’s rhyme scheme and lyrical flow is unlike any rapper I’ve ever heard. His talent is undeniable, even if the thought of listening to hip-hop makes you tear off your motor-oil stained American Flag t-shirt in anger. Every line seems to contain a dozen unexpected internal rhymes. Just when you think you’ve caught on to his pattern, he will switch it back on you. His sense of metaphor and wit is enough to get a laugh out loud moment. I love the fact that Earl, along with the rest of Odd Future never dares to take themselves too seriously. Everything is a joke, and it is clear they do what they do, not for money or for business, but because they enjoy it. I can nearly imagine the OF crew bull-shittin’ around their town spitting insults at each other, but they had the initiative to pursue it. But upon success, OF refused to consider themselves big-time, and seem to continue the trend of making each other laugh. I think this is a good example of Earl’s raw talent, humorous quick wits, and complex rhyme schemes – Drop:
“Swervin’ in the jeep, I’m a nice guy in person, but a pervert in the sheets. And I’m magic with the words, murder Merlin over beats”
However, Earl’s not all one-liner clever whips. In the same verse Earl will blast you with a graphically descriptive image of murder. Overly-fictionalized violence is a running theme, and I love it. That’s not to say I love excessive violence. It is the same as loving a horror movie. I understand the fact that it is fiction, and it’s fun. For example, in the song Luper, Earl’s sense of story-telling is at its finest as he deals with heartbreak and the violent fantasies which accompanies such emotions:
Earl’s stunning talent, the fact that he makes it look so easy, is even more unbelievable when one considers his age. The dude was 16 years old when the above posted songs were recorded. That is hard to comprehend, especially considering what most of us were doing at that age. It makes me feel unaccomplished, honestly. I can hold nothing but respect for someone who’s that gifted at such a young age. Earl is prodigy material. Check out some more ridiculous rhymes in this track with Tyler, The Creator – AssMilk:
“Fat sack ‘a knives in the passenger side. Reach for the door bitch, getchya access denied”
And yet, tragically, just when he started to gain recognition for his incredible skill, his mother stepped in. I guess the fact that her son was rapping about murder and rape startled her in some way. She sent her son away to a Samoan boarding school to be “corrected”. This was such a disappointment for a fan newly discovering Earl. The fact that his mother couldn’t see her son’s inherit ability is upsetting, and to hinder his success against his will is cruel.
But! None of that matters anymore folks! Because the man has finally returned. To the surprise of many, Earl returned a few weeks before his 18th Birthday (which will likely result in his true freedom – from his mother). Announcing his return on Twitter, Earl posted a new song later that night. That song is promising, but the music that is sure to be coming in the following months, I await with chewed down finger nails.
I am truly happy to change the chant from “FREE EARL” to “EARL IS FREE”
Welcome back. Wolf Gang.
Various Hysterias 