A Look Into Earl Sweatshirt’s Music Taste

Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt is quite the enigma. Being only 18 years old of age, he has lived, and rapped– things people could only dream (or have nightmares) about. Spitting abstract, gruesome, and overall clever lines, Earl Sweatshirt’s rhyme scheme is not restricted in any sense, and because of that, he has risen to stardom. Being a fan of Eminem during his Infinite days, I can’t help but to listen and compare both emcees. While both are different artists in their own respect, they both create provoking flows while giving you the “Fuck outta my face” type lyrics. With that said, listeners usually have questions wondering “WHERE DOES IT ALL COME FROM?” and “WHAT’S IN HIS HEAD?” Since I’m a mere fan and blogger, I will probably never know. What I do know, going off Earl Sweatshirt’s recent tumblr post, is that his musical taste– like the music he creates– it constantly surprises.

Earl labels the post: “Wanna hear some songs I like?” After posting the links, he condescendingly jabs at hipsters and states: “Daily stuff. I’ll post more shit i like up here. Hopefully all the assholes who like the same music i do get pissed off that i’m sharing their secrets with the world like they normally do.”

1. Dipset – Real Niggaz

We all have a spot for Dipset in our musical library, and Earl Sweatshirt is no different. Diplomatic Immunity song “Real N****s” , which came out in 2003, is one of the 27 tracks released on the 2 disc album. With the title of the song saying it all, it’s all about keeping the real close– and the fake at arm distance.

2. ESG – Swang & Bang -Screwed & Chopped up – Yung Nova Remix

Next track comes from Cedric Hill, or better known as ESG. “Swanging & Banging” coming off the emcees 1994 album Ocean of Funk, ESG was one of the pioneers of the Houston, Texas music style Chopped and Screwed. The “Screwed” style of music making has made a comeback recently with artists such as Kanye West (which Earl and the Odd Future collective are a major fan of), A$AP Rocky, and even Drake. With that said, though, Earl sticks to the basics and goes with a remix from a Houston O.G. Yung Nova.

3. Cancel On Me – Bombay Bicycle Club

The next song on the list includes the melancholic tune of “Cancel On Me” from Bombay Bicycle Club’s 2007 EP, The Boy I Used To Be. If you can pick up on the trend I have, Earl really gravitates towards the earlier releases from bands. Considering the indie rockers from England produced some of their best work between 2007-2009, it’s commendable Earl would pick one their best, but most overlooked, songs.

4. Radiohead “All I Need”

Now this is a song/ artist I hoped would be on the list. Coming off their 2007 release of In Rainbows, “All I Need” incites fear and mellow emotions all in one. Like Earl to Thom Yorke, you can’t explain what or where their musical influence and creativity comes from. I always considered “All I Need” as an unsettling masterpiece; and ironically, Earl who shares the same qualities, seems to be attracted to it as well.

5. Adrian Younge – Dusts of gold (feat Calibro 35 & Shawn Lee)

Coming from Los Angeles, Adrian Younge is more than talented. Besides being the leader of The Venice Dawn, he’s also an editor and composer for the new animated series on Adult Swim called “Black Dynamite.” While weed is definitely part of the OF collective besides Tyler, The Creator, Earl chose the 80’s type smoking lounge tune of “Dusts of Gold.” Having a heavy bass line, a rising trumpet, and overall shootout feel groove to the tune, this would accompany quite the smoking session.

Ranging from Hip-Hop to Indie Rock, for those who love Earl and his music already, hopefully this will incite you to broaden your musical taste. On the other hand, for those of you who believe Earl Sweatshirt is one dimensional, if this was anyone else’s 5 songs that were posted, would you call them one dimensional? Either way, thanks Earl for posting some of your favorite tracks. Any insight on a musician’s musical taste is always an interesting one.