Odd Future
Odd Future performing with Trash Talk and Lil Wayne at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2012
Odd Future performing with Trash Talk and Lil Wayne at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2012
Background information
Also known as
  • OFWGKTA
  • OFWGKTADGAFLLBBLSBFBN
[note 1][1]
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2007–2016 (hiatus)
Labels
Members
Past members
Websiteoddfuture.com

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, better known as Odd Future and often abbreviated as OF or OFWGKTA,[2][3] is an American alternative hip-hop music collective formed in Los Angeles, California in 2007. The original members were Tyler, the Creator, Casey Veggies, Hodgy, Left Brain, Matt Martians, Jasper Dolphin, Earl Sweatshirt, Travis "Taco" Bennett, and Syd. Later members included brandUn DeShay, Pyramid Vritra, Domo Genesis, Mike G, Frank Ocean, and Na-Kel Smith.

Odd Future self-released their debut mixtape, The Odd Future Tape, in 2008, as well as various solo and collaborative projects over the subsequent years. In 2010, they then released their second mixtape, Radical, gaining a significant rise in popularity throughout the early 2010s. Their debut studio album, The OF Tape Vol. 2, was released in 2012. Aside from music, Odd Future had an Adult Swim comedy skit show, Loiter Squad, which ran from 2012 to 2014.

Since 2016, the official status of the group has been highly disputed. While there is no conclusive announcement signifying an official breakup, the group has remained completely inactive, with many of its members suggesting that there are no plans for the collective going forward. Because of this, the group is generally considered to have disbanded.

History

2007–2010: Formation, early releases and rise in popularity

Odd Future was formed in 2007 in South Central Los Angeles by Tyler, the Creator along with Casey Veggies, Hodgy, Left Brain, the Super 3 (Matt Martians' production trio which included fictional characters Betty Vasolean and Yoshi Jankins Jr.) and Jasper Dolphin. The entirety of the group consisted of rappers, producers, filmmakers, skateboarders, and clothing designers. The group's recording side was known for their rebellious, brutally honest, and profanity dense lyrics.[4]

In early 2008, Casey Veggies released Customized Greatly, Vol. 1, featuring Tyler on a few tracks.[5] On November 15, 2008, Odd Future released their debut mixtape, The Odd Future Tape.[6]

On July 7, 2009, Hodgy released his debut mixtape, The Dena Tape. On December 25, 2009, Tyler, the Creator released his debut mixtape, Bastard. In 2008, Chicago-based rapper brandUn DeShay and Atlanta-based producer Pyramid Vritra joined the collective; the latter joined Matt Martians' Super 3, and they released The Super D3Shay EP alongside the former before changing their name to the Jet Age of Tomorrow. Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis, Mike G, Frank Ocean and Na-Kel Smith joined the group between 2009 and 2010. Earl Sweatshirt's debut mixtape, Earl, was released on Tumblr in March 2010.[7] MellowHype, a duo composed of Hodgy and Left Brain, released their debut mixtape, YelloWhite, on February 24, 2010, and their debut album, BlackenedWhite was also released in 2010. Domo Genesis released his debut mixtape, Rolling Papers on August 30, 2010, and Mike G released a mixtape, Ali, in 2010. The collective also released their second mixtape, Radical, near the middle of 2010.

In November 2010, Odd Future completed a two-stop tour and the first was in London on November 5, 2010.[8][9] The second was in New York City on November 8, 2010.[10] Their concerts have been compared to punk rock shows, with stagediving, moshing, and group members antagonizing the crowd.[11][12]

2011–2014: Solo releases, The OF Tape Vol. 2 and Loiter Squad

Earl Sweatshirt performing with the rest of Odd Future in March 2012

MellowHype re-released BlackenedWhite through Fat Possum Records on July 12, 2011. Frank Ocean self-released his debut mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, on February 16, 2011 . Tyler, the Creator signed a one-album deal with XL Recordings and released his debut album, Goblin, on May 10, 2011.[13][14] They gained a cult following, and received press attention from blogs and magazines.[15] In April 2011, the group signed a deal with RED Distribution and Sony Music Entertainment to start their own label, Odd Future Records.[16] On August 2, 2011, Odd Future announced the Golf Wang Tour 2011 on their website.[17] The tour included 27 stops, beginning on September 28, 2011, in San Diego, California at the House of Blues.[18]

On September 8, 2011, it was announced that Odd Future would be making a television show called Loiter Squad. The show was announced to be a sketch comedy show featuring various skits and pranks and first aired on Adult Swim in March 2012.[19] The show featured Tyler, Jasper, Taco, Earl and Lionel as main cast members, with other members of Odd Future making cameo appearances.[20][21] The program was produced by Dickhouse Productions, which is also the production company for the TV series Jackass.

On October 3, 2011, Tyler, the Creator tweeted a link to iTunes with a compilation album of songs from artists within the group such as Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats, Mike G, the Jet Age of Tomorrow, MellowHype, the Internet, and Tyler himself. The album is simply named 12 Odd Future Songs, despite having 13 tracks, including three new releases from the Internet, Mike G and MellowHype. On March 20, 2012, the collective released their debut studio album, The OF Tape Vol. 2, as a relative sequel to the original mixtape, The Odd Future Tape. On the same day, Earl Sweatshirt, who was absent from Odd Future from June 2010 until February 2012 due to attending boarding school in Samoa, first performed with the group at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.[22][23]

Frank Ocean released his debut studio album, Channel Orange, on July 10, 2012. Other solo releases for the second half of 2012 included Domo Genesis's No Idols with the Alchemist, released on August 1, 2012, and MellowHype's Numbers, released on October 9, 2012.[24][25] On December 5, 2012, it was announced Frank Ocean was nominated for six awards at the 2013 Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year for "Thinkin Bout You" and Album of the Year for Channel Orange.

On April 2, 2013, Tyler, the Creator released his completely new second studio album, Wolf, which received positive reviews from critics and debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 89,895 copies in the United States.[26][27] Earl Sweatshirt released his debut studio album.[28] Tyler and Earl also went on an EarlWolf Summer Tour in 2013.

In June 2014, Frank Ocean left Odd Future management, 4 Strikes Management.[29] In May 2014, the third season of Loiter Squad premiered. Earl, Tyler, Jasper, Taco, and L-Boy did an in-depth interview for HuffPost Live. On August 11 and August 12, 2014, Odd Future opened up for Eminem at Wembley Stadium, London..

On September 12, 2014, the Odd Future radio station premiered on Dash Radio, which was released the month before by DJ Skee. The station featured a live playlist, special links such as "Taco Tuesday" (also repeated on Fridays) and coverage of live events, such as the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, also hosted by Odd Future.[30]

2015–present: Decline in activity, subsequent hiatus

On January 18, 2015, Hodgy Beats stated that MellowHype will not release another project, but he and Left Brain will continue to make music together. Hodgy stated in an interview, "Nah, we ain't breaking up. Nah, this ain't no weirdo shit. It's just some real shit. It's a refocus. Going from boys to men this is what it is. So it's either understand it, 'cause it will be explained–cry about it, talk shit, applaud us–we still moving."[31]

In May 2015, Tyler, the Creator hinted on Twitter that Odd Future was supposedly breaking up, saying "although its no more, those 7 letters are forever", seemingly referring to the collective's acronym "OFWGKTA", with Earl Sweatshirt backing up Tyler's claims as well.[32][33][34]

"OFWGKTA" was listed on the bill for Tyler, the Creator's 4th Annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.[35] The line-up that performed included Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis, Mike G and Left Brain. Tyler and Earl were not included in the set due to Tyler already having a solo show and Earl being busy.

Some rumors began to circulate in 2016 about the group working together musically again after a picture was taken of Tyler, Earl, Syd, Jasper, Taco, and Matt Martians together at the Afropunk Festival.[36]

On December 9, 2016, Hodgy released his debut studio album Fireplace: TheNotTheOtherSide, the final release under Odd Future Records.[37] On February 6, 2017, it was confirmed MellowHype to be reuniting on Left Brain's solo mixtape MindGone Vol. 1.[38]

Tyler, the Creator's 2017 album, Flower Boy, featured vocals by fellow Odd Future members Frank Ocean, Jasper Dolphin, and L-Boy, but was released under Columbia Records.

With the release of Tyler's 2018 single "Okra", he seems to further hint towards an Odd Future breakup with the lyric "Golf be the set, no more OF".[39] However, later that year on August 8, Taco posted a series videos on his Instagram story, showing an Odd Future surprise concert taking place at The Low End Theory club in Los Angeles. Odd Future members who attended the show included Tyler, Taco, Jasper, Mike G, Earl, and the returning Syd and Hodgy.[40]

In 2018, Pitchfork wrote that Odd Future's legacy was "one that demands we bask in complicated truths, reminding us that nurturing the parts that don't fit is how any culture moves forward."[41]

On October 23, 2019, Mike G confirmed Odd Future was "still together" but that they would no longer be touring.[42]

On February 17, 2020, Tyler confirmed Odd Future was likely not going to release another album, stating he does not think "the styles will mesh much for a good cohesive thing".[43]

Members

  • Tyler, the Creator – vocals, production, music video directing, fashion design (2007–present)
  • Casey Veggies – vocals (2007–2009)[44]
  • Hodgy (Hodgy Beats) – vocals, occasional production (2007–2015,[45][46] 2018-present)
  • Left Brain (Vyron Turner) – production, DJ, occasional vocals (2007–present)
  • Jasper Dolphin – occasional vocals, hypeman, fashion design (2007–present)
  • Travis Bennett (Taco) – occasional vocals, DJ, fashion design (2007–present)
  • Matt Martians – production (2007–2016)[47][48]
  • Syd (Syd tha Kyd) – engineer, vocals, DJ, production (2007–2016,[49] 2018-present)
  • brandUn DeShay – vocals (2008–2010)[50]
  • Pyramid Vritra – production (2008–2015)
  • Domo Genesis – vocals (2009–present)
  • Mike G – vocals, DJ (2009–present)
  • Earl Sweatshirt – vocals (2009–2010; 2012-present)
  • Frank Ocean – vocals, occasional production (2009–present)[51]
  • Na-Kel Smith – skater, hypeman, occasional vocals (2010–2015)
  • Eddy Tekeli (LegoHead) - Photographer (2010–2015), fashion design (2010–2012)
  • Sagan Lockhart – skater, photographer, hypeman (2010–2015)
  • Lionel Boyce (L-Boy) – music video director, fashion design, occasional vocals (2011–present)
  • Lucas Vercetti – DJ, fashion design, occasional vocals (2011–2015)
  • Julian Berman – photographer (2011–2015)
  • Luis Perez (Pancho) – cinematographer (2012–2015)

Sub-groups

Controversies

Odd Future was scheduled to appear at the February 2014 Rapture Festival in Auckland, as a supporting act to Eminem. The group was not on the original bill, but was substituting for Kendrick Lamar after the concert had been sold out.[53] A campaign was launched by an anti-violence group to prevent Odd Future performing, based partly on prior occurrences of the group supposedly inciting violence by their fans towards members of the public, and by the group's lyrics allegedly supporting rape and violence towards women.[54] Immigration New Zealand canceled the visa of some group members because of alleged acts of inciting violence.

In 2015, Tyler, the Creator was banned from the United Kingdom for 3–5 years due to the allegedly homophobic and violent content of his lyrics from earlier albums such as Bastard and Goblin.[55]

Tyler's UK ban has since been lifted,[56] concurring with his show in London to promote his fifth studio album, Igor. However, his show was forcibly cancelled by police after they voiced their safety concerns, saying that it was "overcrowded" and "too rowdy".[57]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[58]		 US R&B/HH
[59]		 US
Rap
[60]		 AUS
[61]		 CAN
[62]		 DEN
[63]		 NZ
[64]		 UK
[65]
The OF Tape Vol. 2
  • Released: March 20, 2012
  • Label: Odd Future
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
 5113413234040

Mixtapes

  • The Odd Future Tape (2008)
  • Radical (2010)

Compilations

  • 12 Odd Future Songs (2011)

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Result
2011 O Music Awards Best Web-Born Artist Nominated[67]
MTV2 Sucker Free Awards Best Crew of 2011 Nominated[68]
2013 NME Awards Best International Band Nominated[69]

Notes

    1. ↑ Abbreviation for "Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All Don't Give a Fuck Litter Life Bacon Boys Loiter Squad Butt Fuck Bitch Niggas".

    References

    1. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (March 15, 2012). "Odd Future: 'I woke up one morning with $100,000 in my bank account'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
    2. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (March 15, 2012). "Odd Future: 'I woke up one morning with $100,000 in my bank account'". The Guardian.
    3. ↑ Bassil, Ryan (May 28, 2015). "Don't Mourn the End of Odd Future, It's a Waste of Time". VICE. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022.
    4. ↑ Nosnitsky, Andrew (March 11, 2011). "Odd Future: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
    5. ↑ "Casey Veggies on Collaborations, Branding, and Touring". HuffPost. September 18, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
    6. ↑ Michaels, Sean (January 18, 2012). "Odd Future announce new album". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
    7. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt: Earl". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
    8. ↑ McGee, Paul (November 6, 2010). "Odd Future, The Drop, Stoke Newington". The Arts Desk. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
    9. ↑ "Young Turks present Odd Future's live UK debut in London". Fact Magazine. November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
    10. ↑ "Photos: Odd Future in New York". Pitchfork. November 9, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
    11. ↑ Gabe Meline (February 23, 2011). "Live Review: Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All at Slim's, San Francisco". North Bay Bohemian. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
    12. ↑ Weingarten, Christopher M. (November 9, 2010). "The Live Insanity that Is Odd Future Wolf Gang..." Spin Magazine Online. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
    13. ↑ "Tyler, the Creator Reveals Goblin Tracklist". Pitchfork. March 24, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
    14. ↑ "Tyler, the Creator Signs to XL". Pitchfork. February 14, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
    15. ↑ Caroline Ryder (October 14, 2010). "The Future Is Odd – Page 1 – Music – Los Angeles". LA Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
    16. ↑ Markman, Rob (April 26, 2011). "Odd Future To Ink Deal With Sony's RED Distribution – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
    17. ↑ "OFWGKTA official Tumblr page". August 2, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
    18. ↑ "OFWGKTA announces cumulatively 2011 tour". August 2, 2011. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
    19. ↑ Berkowitz, Joe (March 23, 2012). "Meet The Jackasses Behind Odd Future's TV Show, "Loiter Squad"". Fast Company. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
    20. ↑ "Adult Swim Picks Up Live-Action Series with Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All". Adultswim.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
    21. ↑ "Loiter Squad Airs On March 25, 2012". Los Angeles Times. January 17, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
    22. ↑ "Exclusive: We Found Earl Sweatshirt". Complex. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
    23. ↑ Earl Sweatshirt Performs With Odd Future In NYC « ILLROOTS. Illroots.com (March 21, 2012). Retrieved May 6, 2012.
    24. ↑ 4 Strikes [@christianclancy] (July 12, 2012). "no idols. numbers. 119. wolf. some other cool stuff. info soon. channel orange deluxe version in stores tuesday. ofwgkta" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    25. ↑ "OFWGKTA". tumblr.com.
    26. ↑ "Building Album Sales Chart". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
    27. ↑ "Tyler, The Creator Sells Nearly 90k Copies of "Wolf" His First Week". Complex. April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
    28. ↑ Trevor Smith (August 24, 2013). "Artwork & Release Date Revealed For Mellowhype & Domo Genesis' "MellowHigh"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
    29. ↑ Lamarre, Carl (June 25, 2014). "Frank Ocean Fired His Management Team and Publicist". XXL Magazine. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
    30. ↑ "Odd Future Launch Their Own 24-Hour Radio Station". MissInfo. September 12, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
    31. ↑ "Hodgy Beats Says MellowHype Is No More" Archived May 6, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. HipHopDX.
    32. ↑ T [@tylerthecreator] (May 28, 2015). "although its no more, those 7 letters are forever" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
    33. ↑ "Did Tyler, The Creator Just Announce That Odd Future Is Over?". Complex. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
    34. ↑ Kgositsile, Thebe [@earlxsweat] (May 29, 2015). "no sympathy for male virgins who're in their feelings about tyler pointing out and solidifying the obvious" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
    35. ↑ "Odd Future to Make Live Return at Tyler, the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival". Pitchfork. September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
    36. ↑ "Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt Publicly Reunite at Afropunk 2016". XXL. August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
    37. ↑ "Hodgy Releases Solo Debut 'Fireplace:TheNotTheOtherSide' Feat. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes & Salomon Faye". Vibe. December 9, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
    38. ↑ find yo mind [@MindGoneMilitia] (February 7, 2017). "MELLOWHYPE FOR #MINDGONEVOL1" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    39. ↑ "Tyler, the Creator Raps About His Sexuality & the End of Odd Future on "Okra"".
    40. ↑ "Odd Future reunite at Low End Theory closing party: Watch". Consequence of Sound. August 9, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
    41. ↑ "Found Family: How Odd Future Changed Everything". Pitchfork. July 31, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
    42. ↑ Ju, Shirley (October 23, 2019). "Mike G talks Tyler, the Creator; Odd Future memories, growing up in L.A., and more". REVOLT. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
    43. ↑ "Tyler, the Creator says Odd Future reunion is not happening". February 17, 2020.
    44. ↑ "Casey Veggies Talks Leaving Odd Future, Meeting Jay-Z". July 26, 2011.
    45. ↑ "Tyler, the Creator and Hodgy Beats Fight as Odd Future Continues to Disintegrate". Pitchfork. November 16, 2015.
    46. ↑ "Hodgy Beats Disses Tyler, the Creator on Twitter". December 6, 2017.
    47. ↑ "The Internet's Matt Martians Discusses Odd Future Breakup". Pitchfork. July 2015.
    48. ↑ "The Internet's Syd & Matt Talk Album Collaborations, Odd Future Break-Up Rumors & Why Your Ego Needs To Die". AllHipHop.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
    49. ↑ "Syd Tha Kyd Details Departure From Odd Future". HiphopDX. March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
    50. ↑ "OFFICIAL Tyler and Brandun Deshay Beef Story". OddFutureTalk.com.
    51. ↑ Baker, Ernest (March 18, 2011). "In His Own Words: Who is Frank Ocean?". Complex Magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
    52. ↑ "TTDD Releases Their Debut Single " Love In Da Mall" From Their Self Titled Album..." September 19, 2010. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
    53. ↑ "Kendrick Lamar pulls out of Rapture show". February 2, 2014. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014.
    54. ↑ "Call to ban Odd Future". Stuff. February 12, 2014.
    55. ↑ "Tyler The Creator Banned From U.K., Forced To Cancel Shows". BallerStatus.com. August 26, 2015.
    56. ↑ T [@tylerthecreator] (May 18, 2019). "LONDON; IGOR; 3PM; WILL UPDATE YOU LATER WITH LOCATION https://t.co/bscofwIxta" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023 – via Twitter.
    57. ↑ "'Rowdy' crowd stops rapper's surprise gig". May 18, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
    58. ↑ Odd Future – Chart history: Billboard 200. Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    59. ↑ Odd Future – Chart history: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    60. ↑ Odd Future – Chart history: Rap Albums. Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    61. ↑ Discography Odd Future. australian-charts.com. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    62. ↑ Odd Future – Chart history: Canadian Albums. Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    63. ↑ Discography Odd Future. danishcharts.dk. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    64. ↑ Discography Odd Future. charts.org.nz. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
    65. ↑ ODD FUTURE. officialcharts.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
    66. ↑ Jacobs, Allen (May 2, 2012). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 4/29/2012". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
    67. ↑ "Offbeat, Outrageous, Online". O Music Awards. Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
    68. ↑ "Sucker Free | Vote". MTV. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
    69. ↑ "The Rolling Stones, Tame Impala, Haim and MIA lead NME Awards nominations – vote now!". NME. January 21, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
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