Hype is a fickle beast and Odd Future rides it like a pack of rodeo clowns. The Angeleno misfit rap crew seems to understand that the arena wants to see its champions knocked around a bit, wants to jeer before it cheers—that, or the group’s “kill people, burn shit, fuck school” nihilism is exactly what’s needed in the two-thousand-teens. Regardless, their new posse album, The OF Tape Vol. 2, reminds us of what’s so great about these fuckers. Read at The A.V. Club.
Thanks to the Internet’s love affair with The List, turning over a new leaf into a new year has become, shall we say, blogally laborious. That said, I’ve yet to meet the pop culture freak or geek who would walk away from a chance to tally his or her bests or worsts in a public, numbered format. We’ve given you a few fond looks back at 2011 (Best Songs, Best Moments, Best Discovery … we’ve even had our own wildly would-be hit single mentioned in The Village Voice’s annual Pazz and Jop Poll), but it’s time to start looking forward, a month into this thing called 2012. Without further ado, check out our Pop Culture Resolutions, as well as three of the records we’re most looking forward to hearing in the new year (numbers 34, 54 and 55), both via The A.V. Club.
Went down to San Diego to get weird with Odd Future. Mission accomplished. The adored/abhorred aggro-swag kingpins (plus one queenpin) whipped those surfers, skaters and servicemen into a salty, blood-speckled froth. It was epic and unhinged, probably dangerous to society overall, but it was fun, fun, fun.
Tyler the Creator, "Goblin"
Even as more of the world watches and Diddy lurks at his door, it still would’ve been surprising if Tyler, the Creator had made a run for the mainstream on his second album. And by kicking off Goblin with a defiant seven-minute intro, the Odd Future overlord solidifies his place as America’s favorite young nihilist, dismantling the next-big-thing rep that he’s been building. As he debates a “therapist” (Tyler himself, his voice distorted), the MC/producer claims, “People excited, thinking shit is so tight / Getting cosigns from rappers I don’t even like.” For a newcomer …
Spilled a bunch of ink over this album for Spin. 50K in the first week. Wow.
Tyler the Creator, Mike G, Syd, Left Brain (L to R)
Run to the stands (now! right now! stop reading! do it now!) to pick up the new issue of Spin. It’s a great one cover to cover, but pages 50 thru 54 are my personal favorites. That’s right. It’s a five-page dive into the bizarre, exuberant world of rising L.A. rap stars Odd Future (OFWGKTA) penned by yours truly. A real labor of love that came with surprising little injury (well, people were hurt, but I wasn’t — it’s in the article). I spent hours with Tyler the Creator, Hodgy Beats, Left Brain, Syd, Mike G and the inimitable Taco (was there when he revealed his new brace-less face), and even more hours (days?) on the Internet, reading Tweets, blogs, obscure articles and thought-to-be-lost emails about and by these young, rakish web-savvy entrepreneurs. I even talked to Flying Lotus, members of Liars and Tyler’s old high school teacher.
Shamelessness in profile.
[This blog used to be called Funny Ha Ha.] In a long series of pretty much solely self-indulgent posts, this might be rock bottom. But hey, I’m a fan as much as I’m a journalist, so this is me fanning out. The above shot was taken by Taco at Odd Future’s Low End Theory show last year (October?). That’s Left Brain on the left, and Tyler’s right eye on the right. More pictures from that night here, on the excellent Golf Wang photo Tumblr. Better shot from December below:
Tyler the Creator rocks New York City. Where's Earl?
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. Courtesy of P4K. Nuttin’ to do with me. Just a fan, fanning out. Love this GIF. Blow your mind on this.
Chris Writes Things 