Some Rap Songs – Earl Sweatshirt (2018) A Tier

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This album plays in a profoundly disorienting way, with an atmosphere that feels claustrophobic yet strangely comforting — almost like being trapped inside someone's mind during their darkest moments. Some Rap Songs is both jarring and intimate, showcasing Earl Sweatshirt's radical departure from traditional hip-hop structure into something far more experimental and raw.

Known for his technical prowess and affiliation with Odd Future, Earl Sweatshirt shocked listeners by stripping away all conventional polish. The project is steeped in abstract hip-hop, lofi production, and fragmented jazz samples, creating an experience that feels more like an emotional purge than a curated album. Released during a period of profound grief following his father's death, the album channels loss, identity crisis, and isolation into 25 minutes of dense, sample-heavy soundscapes.

The production is intentionally abrasive — chopped samples that never quite resolve, drum patterns that feel off-kilter, vocals that seem to fight against the beat rather than ride it. Tracks like "Nowhere2go" open with dissonant piano loops that feel like anxiety manifesting sonically, while "Grief" strips everything down to its barest elements: a hypnotic loop and Earl's voice barely above a whisper. "Shattered Dreams" samples Hugh Masekela in a way that feels both reverent and haunting, layering Earl's monotone delivery over fractured horn sections.

While "Nowhere2go" became the closest thing to a single, the deeper cuts truly capture his creative evolution. "Red Water" confronts mortality head-on with stark honesty, while "Playing Possum" featuring Cheryl Harris and Keorapetse Kgositsile (Earl's late father) turns the album into something deeply personal — a conversation across time and grief. "Azucar" closes the project with sparse production and Earl's most vulnerable bars, leaving listeners in contemplative silence.

Some Rap Songs redefined what lofi rap could be and inspired an entire underground movement. Artists like MIKE, Navy Blue, Mavi, and countless others cite this album as the blueprint for introspective, sample-heavy hip-hop that prioritizes emotion over technical flashiness. Its influence echoes through every hazy, lo-fi beat that's emerged in the years since — from bedroom producers to established artists experimenting with minimalism.

Overall, Some Rap Songs isn't designed to be an easy listen. It demands attention, patience, and emotional willingness to sit with discomfort. But for those who let it in, it becomes a profound meditation on grief, identity, and survival. This album changed the trajectory of underground hip-hop and remains essential listening for anyone interested in where the genre can go when artists prioritize raw honesty over commercial appeal. I'm ranking it solidly in A Tier — a challenging, essential, and deeply influential work that rewards repeated listening.

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