'The Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All Phenomenon'
by Dominic Masi Jr.
The skateboarding, hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA, Odd Future, OF, Golf Wang) are blowing up. Their lyrics are in your face and offensive, and they have a style that sounds like, to quote Earl, the “reincarnation of ’98 Eminem” (FREE EARL!) – more so than the often referenced Gravediggaz HorrorCore anyway. The beats are all made in house by the Odd Future crew and are usually heavy on the synthesizers and bass lines. The signature OF sound is best on display in Tyler, the Creator‘s new song, ‘Yonkers.’ The self-directed video for the song has reached over 1.8 million views on YouTube since its February 11th debut. Kanye West tweeted it as “The video of 2011.”
They just wrapped up a short sold out East Coast tour, performed with the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (which included a swagged out co-sign by Mos Def), had a lunch meeting with Jay-Z and finally got to hang out with Justin Bieber. Tyler, the Creator recently signed to XL and will release his second album, ‘GOBLIN,’ in April. MellowHype (Hodgy Beats & Left Brain) also just announced that they will be re-releasing their most recent record, ‘BlackenedWhite,’ with two bonus tracks. No details on a label or signing yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long before we hear more. UPDATE: the album is coming via Fat Possum.
The group are heading to SXSW in March and Coachella in April – their only dates at the moment, but a full blown tour is definitely on the horizon.
I was lucky enough to tag along with Odd Future on a Chinatown bus to Philadelphia, the day after their Fallon performance (which was the day after their Santos Party House show). Our destination was their sold out show that night at the Barbary which ended up being completely insane. Before the show they skated around the City of Brotherly Love, ran up the ROCKY steps and ate cheese steaks. The bus ride and all the craziness in Philly was documented by MTV (with a bit of my help). Check out the video entitled “The Wonderful Adventures of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All”, below. Swag!
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