In 2011, there was no group who incited more controversy than Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. This Los Angeles rap collective drew ire and adoration in equal doses, repeatedly landing in the headlines thanks to their offensive lyrics, rowdy onstage shenanigans, and prolific musical output.
Attempting to sift through all that Odd Future accomplished in 2011 is a daunting task, so, to make it easier for the group's many new fans, here is a list of the 10 highlights from their crazy year. Sure, some of the music was great, but it's really these tabloid-worthy headlines that made Odd Future the act on everybody's mind in 2011.
Top 10 Memorable Moments from Odd Future's Crazy Year:
10. Loiter Squad TV show
In addition to releasing music, Odd Future have undertaken cross-media projects including an art book and this TV show for Adult Swim. Although it hasn't actually premiered yet, the show is said to be a "Jackass-style showcase" with "sketches, man on the street segments, pranks and music from Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All." We're already cringing at the grossness that's bound to ensue.
9. Odd Future Records
Just about any label under the sun would have been eager to sign this much-buzzed group. In characteristically uncompromising fashion, however, the band eschewed a big record deal in favour of starting their own imprint. With some help from Sony's RED Distribution, this means that Odd Future can retain control of their own product and never have to bend to meet the needs of a label. Or at least in theory.
8. Frank Ocean Arrested
This smooth-singing crooner temporarily landed in jail back in April for an unknown offence. But far more memorable than his brief time behind bars was the anti-police tirade that ensued, as he took to Twitter and unleashed threats like "fuck the police. fuck LAPD to be specific. fuck a cop, non-stop" and "I have no respect for police. I swear if i weren't sane in mind I'd throw a fuckin molotov in a cop car right now." We have only one guess as to which N.W.A. track was blasting when he got back home.
7. Tyler, the Creator Detained by Police on Goblin Release Day
May 10 was supposed to be a day of celebration for Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator, as he released his solo album Goblin. Instead, the rapper had his skateboard confiscated and ended up in police custody, reportedly when promoting his album outside of a high school. Like Frank Ocean less than two weeks before, Tyler took to Twitter to direct a barrage of insults towards to police, including "FUCK POLICE FUCK YOU ALL I HOPE YOU ALL DIE." Yikes.
6. Autograph Signing Shitstorm
In typical Odd Future style, a moment of celebration turned into a disaster when a planned signing at Boston's Newbury Comics resulted in a near-riot. One police officer was hospitalized and a 13-year-old fan was jailed when chaos erupted after a larger-than-expected crowd gathered for the event. The cops ended up shutting down the signing before anyone was even let inside the store.
5. Picketed by Women's Rights Group
Odd Future's violent and misogynistic rhymes have angered almost as many people as they have pleased. Unsurprisingly, women's rights activists were at the front of the campaign against the collective's allegedly unsavoury content, and one group called Between Friends showed up at Pitchfork Music Festival to distribute materials decrying domestic violence. Tyler, the Creator's reaction? "Wait, It Just Hit Me. A Fucking 'Group' Of People Will Be Protesting Against Me. FUCKING AWESOME," he tweeted.
4. Beefs Aplenty
In addition to pissing off the cops and women's rights activists, Odd Future made enemies among their fellow musicians too. Mega-producer/Shellac member Steve Albini had to share an airport shuttle with the crew, and he complained, "Interspersed with the McDonalds requests were shouted boasts about how often they masturbated and fucked bitches." Meanwhile, B.o.B had a rap war with Tyler, the Creator, and feminist music icon Kathleen Hanna dismissed the group as "boring."
3. Left Brain Allegedly Slaps Female Photographer
Concerns about Odd Future's violent and misogynistic lyrics were realized when group member Left Brain allegedly slapped a female photographer during a concert. According to accounts, the rapper insulted and pushed around several photographers in the media pit and even struck freelancer Amy Harris in the face. The group denied the assault took place, but that didn't stop Harris from pressing charges.
2. Where is Earl Sweatshirt?
Okay, seriously, where is this guy? As the eyes of the world turned on Odd Future, the 17-year-old went missing and was rumoured to have been sent to boarding school in Samoa. This prompted a "Free Earl" campaign, but Earl issued a statement defending his mom and promising to be home when he was ready. Or did he? An Odd Future rep cast doubt on the legitimacy of the statement, and we still don't know what the hell actually happened.
1. Odd Future vs. LGBT Community
Odd Future's penchant for homophobic slurs have meant that they've attracted plenty of negative attention in the LGBT community. Although Tyler, the Creator has denied being homophobic and claimed that he's only joking, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) argued that "Tyler's attempts to be provocative as well as his indifference towards the consequences of his actions are irresponsible." Similarly, Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara called him out on his "sickening rhetoric." For the most part, these controversies have only fuelled the hype surrounding Odd Future. Their slurs got them better of them recently, however, when they got axed from the bill of Big Day Out in New Zealand because of a protest against the lyrical content.
Attempting to sift through all that Odd Future accomplished in 2011 is a daunting task, so, to make it easier for the group's many new fans, here is a list of the 10 highlights from their crazy year. Sure, some of the music was great, but it's really these tabloid-worthy headlines that made Odd Future the act on everybody's mind in 2011.
Top 10 Memorable Moments from Odd Future's Crazy Year:
10. Loiter Squad TV show
In addition to releasing music, Odd Future have undertaken cross-media projects including an art book and this TV show for Adult Swim. Although it hasn't actually premiered yet, the show is said to be a "Jackass-style showcase" with "sketches, man on the street segments, pranks and music from Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All." We're already cringing at the grossness that's bound to ensue.
9. Odd Future Records
Just about any label under the sun would have been eager to sign this much-buzzed group. In characteristically uncompromising fashion, however, the band eschewed a big record deal in favour of starting their own imprint. With some help from Sony's RED Distribution, this means that Odd Future can retain control of their own product and never have to bend to meet the needs of a label. Or at least in theory.
8. Frank Ocean Arrested
This smooth-singing crooner temporarily landed in jail back in April for an unknown offence. But far more memorable than his brief time behind bars was the anti-police tirade that ensued, as he took to Twitter and unleashed threats like "fuck the police. fuck LAPD to be specific. fuck a cop, non-stop" and "I have no respect for police. I swear if i weren't sane in mind I'd throw a fuckin molotov in a cop car right now." We have only one guess as to which N.W.A. track was blasting when he got back home.
7. Tyler, the Creator Detained by Police on Goblin Release Day
May 10 was supposed to be a day of celebration for Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator, as he released his solo album Goblin. Instead, the rapper had his skateboard confiscated and ended up in police custody, reportedly when promoting his album outside of a high school. Like Frank Ocean less than two weeks before, Tyler took to Twitter to direct a barrage of insults towards to police, including "FUCK POLICE FUCK YOU ALL I HOPE YOU ALL DIE." Yikes.
6. Autograph Signing Shitstorm
In typical Odd Future style, a moment of celebration turned into a disaster when a planned signing at Boston's Newbury Comics resulted in a near-riot. One police officer was hospitalized and a 13-year-old fan was jailed when chaos erupted after a larger-than-expected crowd gathered for the event. The cops ended up shutting down the signing before anyone was even let inside the store.
5. Picketed by Women's Rights Group
Odd Future's violent and misogynistic rhymes have angered almost as many people as they have pleased. Unsurprisingly, women's rights activists were at the front of the campaign against the collective's allegedly unsavoury content, and one group called Between Friends showed up at Pitchfork Music Festival to distribute materials decrying domestic violence. Tyler, the Creator's reaction? "Wait, It Just Hit Me. A Fucking 'Group' Of People Will Be Protesting Against Me. FUCKING AWESOME," he tweeted.
4. Beefs Aplenty
In addition to pissing off the cops and women's rights activists, Odd Future made enemies among their fellow musicians too. Mega-producer/Shellac member Steve Albini had to share an airport shuttle with the crew, and he complained, "Interspersed with the McDonalds requests were shouted boasts about how often they masturbated and fucked bitches." Meanwhile, B.o.B had a rap war with Tyler, the Creator, and feminist music icon Kathleen Hanna dismissed the group as "boring."
3. Left Brain Allegedly Slaps Female Photographer
Concerns about Odd Future's violent and misogynistic lyrics were realized when group member Left Brain allegedly slapped a female photographer during a concert. According to accounts, the rapper insulted and pushed around several photographers in the media pit and even struck freelancer Amy Harris in the face. The group denied the assault took place, but that didn't stop Harris from pressing charges.
2. Where is Earl Sweatshirt?
Okay, seriously, where is this guy? As the eyes of the world turned on Odd Future, the 17-year-old went missing and was rumoured to have been sent to boarding school in Samoa. This prompted a "Free Earl" campaign, but Earl issued a statement defending his mom and promising to be home when he was ready. Or did he? An Odd Future rep cast doubt on the legitimacy of the statement, and we still don't know what the hell actually happened.
1. Odd Future vs. LGBT Community
Odd Future's penchant for homophobic slurs have meant that they've attracted plenty of negative attention in the LGBT community. Although Tyler, the Creator has denied being homophobic and claimed that he's only joking, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) argued that "Tyler's attempts to be provocative as well as his indifference towards the consequences of his actions are irresponsible." Similarly, Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara called him out on his "sickening rhetoric." For the most part, these controversies have only fuelled the hype surrounding Odd Future. Their slurs got them better of them recently, however, when they got axed from the bill of Big Day Out in New Zealand because of a protest against the lyrical content.