What Writers Can Learn From Earl Sweatshirt
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- Опубліковано 24 лис 2022
- In this video, I analyze what aspiring writers and artists can learn from Earl Sweatshirt's writing style. Enjoy!
What are some more valuable techniques that we can learn from Earl? What track of his is your favorite? Who would you like to see me break down next? Let me know in the comments below!
Just posted a Tyler breakdown vid for those interested! ua-cam.com/video/6-cLv0hoF8U/v-deo.html
What's kind of ironic about the "not using big words" theory is Earl might have the most extensive vocabulary of any rapper to ever do it, but his songs are still some of the most authentic. You can tell he uses words because they're the best for the job, not to show off. It goes to show what's important when writing good stuff is to make the words as close to the truth of who you are and everything else as possible. I think that's what Earl does so well.
Thats cap. Off the top ik aesop rock, lupe fiasco, and MF DOOM have more extensive vocabs.
@jose chamu u never know ... ppl tend to forget words and their definitions as they age ... maybe at one point they all did
@@JB.3 if you listen to modern Aesop Rock and Lupe they still drop crazy words. Listen to Pumpkin Seeds they both on it.
@@JB.3 Aesop statically has the most unique words of any rapper ever by thousands of words and Lupe is a college professor of rap. Earl is amazing and I love his work. Lu and AES ain’t forget that many words though lol
@Mitchiegotmoves Y damn that shit was fire ... ig just like how u can have lyricism in the form of (lupe , aesop)punchy technicality or dopey deep darker muddy words which maybe drug your mind a bit ... there's just too many towers and tiers to this typa shit
Balance by Earl Sweatshirt has to be one of the greatest songs where he also repeats the same bars over the course of 5 minutes, but after each repetition it gains more meaning and momentum. Give it a listen top 5 of all time.
Oh wow I've never heard of this track by him before. That sounds really really interesting. I'm gonna give it a listen, thanks!
@@unknownreviews7259 please do, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!
YESSS 100%
@@stoic_ life's truly one big wtf, I made a song on one of your beats months back with a friend from India and I never thought of uploading or releasing them either but seeing your comment here what are the chances? So I uploaded it ASAP so if you have a second I'd love for you to give it a listen!!! It's on my page 🙏
the original balance is not 5 minutes long, unfortunately. it's a very short track released i think by Adult Swim at some point? Beautiful collab between earl and knx, but the 5 min version is an extended verison a fan made.
To me the “dirty water drinkers”was about places like flint that have un drinkable water and no body wants to fix the problem
Yo thats a super good point. Didnt even think of that!
@@unknownreviews7259 i never thought about the alcohol comparison either. Just shows how good a writer Earl is if he really aimed for that double meaning.
Alcohol
As a writer, I kinda thank you for making this small little project! Not to waste any lines, making everything impactful I need to use that more.
I'm so glad you were able to get something out of it!! Yeah, the wasting lines point was a big one for me too. It's so easy just to throw things in there for emphasis or filler but the really disciplined writers resist that urge. We'll both get there in our own writing eventually :))
Pay attention to the rhyme schemes on December 24th. Absolutely genius level writing
one of the best tracks off SRS 100%
The way I look at Some Rap Songs is as a giant piece of poetry that doesn't actually need music to be experienced because of its dense lyrical value, but the music adds a complement to the lyrics to those who choose to experience it that way.
I love that perspective. It’s really a lyrics first album for sure
I just wanna say, When i listen to Some Rap Songs, it feels like one 27 minute song. The transition to each song is so smooth that it Feels like theres no wasted seconds in the beginning or end of any of them
There’s no trick to writing like Earl except,,, WRITE LIKE YO SELF 😭 that’s the biggest key if u wanna be like somebody and do what they do so bad, be yourself with it not a clone! At least
But finding oneself itself is a long and often boring process, most of which is just copying people you like and somehow turning it into your thing. Even earl mentions this on this track.
@@boogeyperson316 if your dedicated and not lazy you’ll take that process,,, if your not lazy you can make your own sound,,, alot people jus be to enslaved to they lazy and unmotivated thoughts…
We need more earl sweatshirt break downs. I've recently been getting into writting
Dirty water can mean lean
“Nobody told me I could leave” also means leave like past tense of leaf like what you wrap a blunt with.
Verse is him sinking in the cup & no one around him looking out for him cuz they hope peace is also at bottom of the cup.
Salute
This is definitely the exact lessons that I have been trying to internalize for the past year. I used to be so focused on technical things, metaphors, big words, word play, rhymes rhymes rhymes, that my music (IMO) sounded unlistenable, no matter how much I FELT like it SHOULD be great.
I'm currently working on a project that is a step towards simplicity without sacrificing depth. IMO it's also just about letting go of the bullshit. Like I would bet Earl really didn't spend that much time writing this verse, he just flowed in the right mindset when the time was right after changing his way of thinking and enriching his soul. Idk just my thoughts.
I think you’re 100% on the the money. I think letting the BS go is soooo important. just getting out of your own way and letting your heart express whatever it wants it to express. and yknow if you’re thoughtful about the process, the depth will come naturally. Good luck in your future projects man!!!
@@unknownreviews7259 Thank you so much, you as well!
The best lyrics are the most authentic; what's closest to the core.
I went through a thesaurus phase too and a lot of the depth and emotional relatability of my songs at the time were removed for that reason. The best art isn't pretentious. It happens because the artist had to make it. It's as honest as possible. Their instincts wouldn't allow them to do anything otherwise.
@@WHOAM1894 "Thesaurus phase" 😂😂😂 ur cuttin me DEEP bro
Yeah, honestly just honesty across the board has saved my life in so many ways I can't even begin to start.
You got a link to any stuff man?
i've been getting all these underrated music documentary UA-camrs recommended to me. safe to say I'm going to keep up with your content! keep up the good work bro
So glad you made another one of these
Thank you I appreciate it! I’ve had so much fun making them - they will likely be my main form of content going forward so if you want to see a specific artist get a video, let me know!
earl is pretty easily a top 3 rapper of all time imo
Not even top 30
Don't get me wrong I love earl but meaning isn't just the only factor in lyricism his flow and execution is extremely lacking
@@caquinavarra6756 bad take, my dude. Who else flows like Earl? His slow pace is his perfectly executed and unrivaled: I'd rather listen to this "simple" writing with a slow flow than corny puns spit at lighting speed with no substance.
@@caquinavarra6756 bruhh L take , earls flow hits hard af , he keeps it natural
keep growing with this style. youre bound to keep gaining traction. have fun wit it brudda. much love
thank you I really appreciate it!! Its been super fun to just vibe and talk some really great art. the underground rap community is truly the best and most wholesome. much love!
super insightful, this channel will be huge if you keep going
I cannot wait to see more of your content, good luck!
Thank you!!
vid is insane. thanks bro
so this is where it all started... congrats on 1k homeslice (almost 2k!). best of luck on ur yt journey, and ur music as well. im not always super involved it what ur doing, but MAN u put way too much effort into these things lol. it took me like 10 mins to write this comment bc I was straight up invested into the video and im not even rly a writer like that. literally made me go re-listen (like LISTEN listen) to shattered dreams. but these breakdowns are super interesting and fun to watch and im not even just saying that. love you
THANKS BRO ❤️❤️ Love you
Hey! This video was really cool, I enjoyed watching it a lot.
140subs?! Dude ,youtube blessed me, keep up the great content man! Really like style of the video!
I really appreciate your comment! Thank you! I was at 70 subs just a week ago😭. More videos definitely coming soon. Bless 🙏
I recognise the depth of work you've put into this, thanks for doing it, great watch.
Much appreciated, thank you! I just checked out your channel, instant sub. Thank you for the work you're doing as well :)
"peace to my dirty water drinkers, pssh nobody tryna get it clean" is about the flint water crisis, from what i’ve heard
this video is great!!!!
Pharoah Monch Broken Again explores addiction under more complex terms. If you havent heard it try that track too.
the first line in shattered (in my opinion) is a double entendre to the people who were and still (i think) suffer from poisoned tap water in michigan at the time. the next line he says nobody trynna get it clean, since no noted names helped the situation until it became a bigger issue in the media. and that could also be a reference to how anyone drinkin a dirty cup (lean) usually aint trynna fix their addiction (if there even is one)
This was a great analysis. Although I feel Earl's deceptively dense rhyme schemes are also a pertinent factor.
"Fire in the Hole" would be great to breakdown next. My favorite Earl track.
Crazy timing. I've spent the past couple of days re-listening to SRS, analyzing the production & sound of it to try and somewhat emulate it. Cool to see you revisiting it as well but from writing POV.
Great stuff btw, I loved the billy woods video as well, keep this format up 👍
Thank you!! I’m loving making videos in this format so there’s definitely more to come. I also had some ideas about making some production breakdowns so stay tuned 👀
@@unknownreviews7259 👀 aw hell yea
listen to Mike, Earl already emulated him there
i LOVED this video !!
this type of YT content is definitely my typa shit.
thank you sharing.
Thank you!! I really appreciate it! Glad I could contribute :)
absolutely amazing video!!!
thanks!! 💗💗
Man i love this kind of content on UA-cam, the lyrics analysis is super important to understand and aprreciate the rap genre. Tho your mic sometimes makes your voice sound to low so its hard to undrstand what you´re saying hope ypu can fix that in the future, keep it up homie.
Definitely working on fixing the mic deal. Thanks man! I really appreciate your commentary and support :)
Fire lyric breakdown 🔥
Thank you!!
that's a litterature and poetry class, great video
Thanks man, I appreciate it! Some of these rappers really are poets like, their talent is insane^^
love the vid on earl and woods!
Thanks so much! I’ll def be covering them again in the future
Gotta mention that production switch influenced by slauson Malone and standing on the corners album red burns it definitely helps you understand the change in production and song subjects which I love
Great video!!!
Thank you!! Cool username by the way
Amazing video!!
Thanks!!
Really good video man keep it up
Thanks man! Much love
I’d love to hear your breakdown of individual songs of Earl. Especially, Bad Acid.
I’m thinking of doing more song breakdowns on UA-cam shorts so deffo stay tuned
sometimes its hard to express emotions without feeling cringe
nah I know exactly what you mean. took me years to get over the hump. it just takes practices but honestly its worth it! its so freeing once you can just say whats on your mind hahah
@@unknownreviews7259 well at this point i don't even care if its cringe cus its my struggle and idgaf i want to express it, my focus now is trying to perfect my dictionary and choose of words
i've been writing since 15/16 now im 18 and this content help me to shape my writings, thanks man!
@@illsakc exactly. it’s your story, tell it how you see fit! I wish you the best of luck man!!
Keep it up bro🙏🏾
Thanks man!
Good video
fantastic video
Thanks man!!!
love the video, going to check out your channel
Thanks man! I appreciate it!
This is fire
Thanks man!
You sound like Philip de franco had a music review channel , dig it
LOL thanks man, I appreciate it!
Absolute banger
Thank you!!! 🙏
I'm currently learning about poetry from Dana Gioia's youtube channel. I have no idea who he is, but he taught me that poetry isn't abstract, whereas in the past, I used to think it's the opposite. He changed my perspective on great vs mediocre lyricism/literature. There is no benefit in confusing the writer. Your writing can still have depth without completely alienating the audience.
Just write from the heart feeling without thinking simple as that.
well said!
Lit🔥
Loved the video! but for the future it might be an idea to lower the music volume or get a compressor on you're vocal so it can be even better :))
Thanks so much I appreciate it! And also, noted for next time. I’ll get a compressor on the vocal and watch my volumes, thanks for the tip!
Do you have any tips as for how writers can emulate Earl's darkly comedic, dry, purposely falling flat comedy about subjects that have obviously caused him a lot of grief (member when they had my grand mammy on the drip dank/how much of that gin straight/coulda filled a fishtank) other than "just be funny, lol."
I have many times wanted to emulate that type of dark comedy about serious shit in my work and it always feels either too serious or too goofy when I do it. I feel like I can keep pace with Earl in many ways, but this eludes me every time.
Thank you for this video, and the time you took to read my comment, I can tell this type of stuff means a lot to you, and your passion is infectious.
Don’t try to be earl be you
Chum has some of the best storytelling in any rap song
doooooppee you so underrated
Much appreciated ❤️❤️
Nice work man, interesting edit. If you’re looking for feedback, you need to make your script more concise. Not a lot of strong points were made for an ~8 minute video when you boil it down. The more you can argue with less words (i.e. the more elegant your rhetoric), the more impactful the video, giving a higher chance of gaining some subs off a vid that blows up like this one. I hope your channel grows and you find success my man
I appreciate it, thank you! I've always had a bit of a long-winded nature so I'm not surprised the same applied to this video. I'll definitely be looking to make it more concise next time. Much love!
commenting to get this out to more people, great video homie
thanks man!!
Been on this
Thank you for breaking down his writting, Earl really turned from a pimp to a preacher.
I am not the one to ask, but I have been looking for similar sounding beats from Earl.
If any producers would like to collab or if I could get pointed in the right direction, It would be a lot of help.
Thanks for watching!! I appreciate the support! I also write music and have been considering getting into beatmaking (abstract hip hop with live instrumentation), I’d be down to see what we could come up with!
add me on discord for collab ?
@@unknownreviews7259 How can I get in touch ?
@@darshanvyas2535 yep I’m setting up a discord server tonight. announcement link will go up later then we can PM through there!
@@unknownreviews7259 awesome!!
What I took from the first two lines that you had said didn't really need explaining was that he was talking about dirty water drinkers, so perhaps developing nations or even some cities in America without access to clean water.
Just goes to show a line we think is so simple could have so many layers to it.
i always thought the line was a pretty clear reference to flint michigan
One day they’ll make a video like this about me 🫶
yes!!!!
i feel like we need constant lyrics on screen atleast the lines as youre breaking it down so we can let it sink in. great analysis tho.
Mask on mask off line also could be a drug reference from the Future song.
Hey man, much love here, but watching the begining of the video you might want to have a slower editing pace and actually quote the lines to make your points easier to follow. Just constructive criticism.
I appreciate it thank you! I'm still getting into video essays so definitely appreciate the tips and pointers. I'm definitely going to slow down next video because I've heard the same sentiment from a few others. appreciate your time and commentary :))
Hey my dude I really think u should open a discord, you are making the type of content that has me thinking lol
Yknow what, that’s a great idea. I’d planned to a while back and completely forgot lol And I’m glad it’s got you thinking too. I’ll probably try to set it up either today or tmrw, thanks for the reminder!
@@unknownreviews7259 hey did you end up making this discord? I just stumbled upon this video and def wanna join that now
@@michaelrobinson9433 hey! I did, I just have to do a few more things to it before I post it. But the bones of the server are set up and all. I got a little sidetracked with it being finals week and all, but I'm looking to have it up and running by this week :)
@@unknownreviews7259 nice! Thanks I’ll look out for it
U hav amazing insight bro, great fucking video
Thanks man, I really appreciate it!!
I like Some Rap songs but I just think MIKE does that style so much better imo. It's the same style, similar content but mastered so much more. Tears of Joy is about Mike's mom passing while SRS is about Earl's dad
That’s so interesting because up until this point it’s always been the opposite for me. I’ve loved SRS and all of Earls work but always had a harder time getting into MIKE but I’m expecting that this upcoming album will change that entirely for me. I’ve loved the recent singles and I just saw that he dropped an EP with the Alchemist that I can’t wait to listen to. I’ll go back and give Tears of Joy a listen! I’m working through Disco atm
@@unknownreviews7259 MIKE birthed that style, Earl fans are trying to say that MIKE is influenced by Earl so it cancels out but no, MIKE started the slums tape a couple years before Earl dropped SRS and started doing Lofi
May god bless your hustle, Disco, Tears of Joy, War in my Pen are all. great Mike might be top 5 currently, this guy is ridiculous and doesn't get nearly enough credit. I love Earl but I wish his fans would stop rewriting history, not saying you did there but a lot of them did and it's sad because he might never get his due credit, he is the king of that style.
@@dadorage1695 That’s really interesting thank you for telling me that info. Makes me want to go back and analyze Mike more closely now. I’m definitely going to listen to some of his stuff again in preparation for the new album. Good to have that context now
I would never make a statement as basic as “SRS is about Earl’s dad.” It’s earls depression coming to a head and really him coming to terms with his wild past and drug abuse. This was partially brought about by his dads passing but it’s mostly earl maturing.
Want to recommend a few songs from him?
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
What's up w the audio? Love the vid just would like to hear what you're saying when it dips out sometimes
Thank you! audio is a bit touch and go for me with my current recording set up, however I'm looking to upgrade equipment soon and just overall put some more care into the audio / editing side of things. appreciate the feedback!
4:17 song?
❤
could you do vince staples at some point?
I’ve gotten a few requests for Vince so I’m going to do some more close listening of his recent projects and hopefully get a video out after the next few I have planned :)
Zekeultra does this to the highest degree
Yo I have a zeke feature on my album, check out lullaby by Coopa and ZekeUltra
Pharaohe Monch as well
Can anyone tell me the song that starts at 4:15 plss. I kinda forgot what the name was
December 24
🎉🎉🎉
❤️
His father is a famous black poet by the way !!
Man what is the instrumental @5:54
Can you do an video on izaya Tiji
Never heard of him but I’ll take a listen!
I think that Earl could have learned certain elements of 'Simple writing' from the poetry of his late father Bra Willie. These breakdowns remind me how blown away I was years ago when I first encountered his (Bra Willie) politically charged poetry.
wanna learn how to rap like Sweatshirt? go listen to DOOM deepcuts and Wu Tang.. I hear them the most in Earl's flows
do one on mavi
I’ve got to give his new album a listen. Haven’t gotten a chance yet. Hoping I enjoy it enough to break it down. I’m assuming I will lol. Appreciate the sub, by the way!
Yes. Please.
@@unknownreviews7259 I’d much prefer it on let the sun talk
I might add that the "dirty water drinkers" may be also referencing the people within places like Flint, Michigan and underdeveloped countries who are being promised an effort from the government to get clean water. He's drawing a parallel between these in the sense of fatalism in humanity, from the scale of an individual not being to become clean from alcohol, to the large scale of government not being able to clean its nation, its "body."
peace to my dirty water drinking… (alcoholism) why ain’t nobody tell me i was sinking… relationship w friends enabling him
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Hey, i think the mixing is a tab bit off in ur video. The backing instrumentals are too loud and u get lost in the sauce imo.
Lol how'd you do a whole lyrical breakdown and miss the main wordplay in the lines you single out? Dirty water drinkers is literal- the city/investors are the ones not trying to get it clean. Youre right he talks a lot about poisoning himself with his various vices, but this is a deeper expression of empathy with his community all being poisoned by lead pipes etc
Dude on god I'm like homie is thinking too hard about this line to the point of missing it
good video but you've gotta breathe man. Slow down a bit, let the music play for a sec, let the watcher have time to think about what you are saying. you speak wayyyy too fast for me to take in what you're saying
Thanks man! And noted. I do tend to talk a mile a minute. I'll keep that in mind for the next video :)
good thoughts but stop playing with mic while recording
Yeah when I listen to real musicians I realize I really do suck 😂
when u doing a video about lyrics.. and you put the lyrics on screen.. make sure you can read them in full before you cut.. this whole video is about lyrics but you cut away from the lyrics so fast it’s hard to follow…. just some advice.. think about pacing and how ur audience is taking in the content
Idk if anyone have told you this but you kinda sound like Nardwuar but a pitch down lol
Earl simple? Are you out of your mind?
"Mask on mask off we trick or treating"
Putting a mask on to robb or break into a house
only thing youll learn is how to be depressed or how to bore people to death.
Thebe doesn’t approve this message
need a real mic and a compressor on your voice bro
Who tf is Earl Sweatervesht?
Great video, but I'd advise you into the future to maybe show a little bit more the lyrics textually, it's tough to keep track of the analysis without reinforcing the lyrics!
Thanks man, appreciate it! I’ll make a note of that in the future, thanks :)