still hope this is a single for an Earl x Alc full-length... The fact there's a fat billing of Earl Sweatshirt: Live just seems unlikely to be for a little EP?

Tbh it didn't make sense that this would already be something for an April drop because video post production just takes more than a couple weeks for Lonewolf I'm sure.

But let's wait and see. Hopefully we're at least gettting an Earl verse or two and possibly a pretty great tape this month already, which is sick

Listening to Feet of clay deluxe finally. Saved those 2 songs long enough

When I said top 5 the number itself wasnt important I just meant one of the best writers actively writing (not alive). Tbf I could have been clearer but dont get hung up on the number 5.
It's very hard to compare poets to novelist and subjectivity plays a big part.

Do you think he isnt one of the best writers?

love that Whole World verse

Same bro. Was well worth the wait of saving.

If we're talking strictly the best writers in rap currently then he is certainly somewhere, though I wouldn't yet put him as high as most are.

There's a lot of fantastic writers that unfortunately get overlooked by most on here, predominantly due to under-exposure. Also, when writing is a rappers main strength that really means taking the time to sit with their album and give it undivided attention over multiple listens. Which is of course tough to do with every artist, especially if the first impression doesn't stick. Some names that rarely get thrown out on here but are incredible writers and active still:

Busdriver: genius writer. Dropped an amazing album last year that has some of the densest and most intelligent writing around.

Serengeti: The best world-builder in rap, just listen to Ajai from last year.

Denmark Vessey: been listening to him a ton lately and is as skilled as they come.

MC Paul Barman: extremely overlooked. Witty, smart, impactful writing.

Earl is still young. His body of work is tiny compared to the majority. Quantity matters imo cause from it stems creativity and consistency. His writing is evolving currently in a more mature and interesting direction. Just have to look at his verses on East, OD, Mirage, and allstar to see that. Most unfortunately call that inaccessible but really it just takes some patience and focus.

And yeah personal opinions are subjective but quality of writing is largely objective I would say.

The reason why I hold woods in such esteem particularly is because the guy can do everything. His writing is so unique and the breadth so vast, its unparalleled. One minute he's referencing political/historical events nobody else is; the next telling you a vignette about kids enjoying the daytime while their parents are away, before panic sets in as night time comes and they're still alone. Constantly making you think, toying with your emotions and subverting expectations. That's what the best writers do, in any medium.

Knight is a glorious closer to Doris.

nah fam you're wild for insisting quality of writing is an objective measure

Man 45 is such an overlooked song

Ghost needed many relistens for me tbh, just like Blame from the FlySiifu EP another genius dusty Black Noi$e flip which imo only gets more addicting with every listen

Earl also on twitter told a story about how Navy recorded his verse about his father and it really hit Earl hard because it almost sounded like he was talking about his father, and then he got the message of his father's death a couple days later. Deleted those sadly

Writing skill is not subjective, the art that stems from it is.

I'll agree to disagree, it's not a science imo. I have strong opinions on what skill constitutes too, but it's not like there's any actual, objectively observable measures for how one defines skill, so it can never be an objective thing.

Just one of the most basic, abstract things being is it about excelling in rules or breaking the rules? Is just going about breaking all the rules the most skillful thing you can do or achieving beauty by excelling in a constrained format? There's no correct answer for this. Most great artists do both things to some degree, but even there who's to say definitely who has the "best" mix of these extremes?

And there's many more of these types of oppositions, where eventually what you value just depends on what balances of those you prefer

Doris

in for boldy james imo best new rapper out of the d

I think you're missing my point.

I'm only referring to the fundamentals of writing, not what it produces.

If I gave you a copy of Cats Cradle and a copy of Twilight, sure you may well prefer Twilight, but you would be hard pressed to disagree that Vonnegut has mastery of prose over Meyer.

REAL

was my joint AOTY of 2013 together with Yeezus and it's still on of my fav albums of the 10s we're probably never getting that versatility of the beats on there back. Every project after was an artistic leap for him tho

Waiting for some official information.

Yeah but comparing more generic literature with masters like that isn't very interesting (props for googling the Twilight name).

Like when you compare Cats Cradle with Earl on basis of fundamentals, you could say Vonnegut is a master of plotting - but in Earl's writing for the most part there are almost never linear storylines, you could barely ever talk about any plot being there (Chum might be one exception). It's always very associative. But imo "plots" just don't matter when it comes to his writing, it's more about an abstract feeling he conveys by touching on different topics from one bar to the next.

🇨🇦 Is ready.

Then why would you say it if it’s so contrived

Also, what a ludicrous opinion

Honestly Earl isn’t really touching woods or Ka at all in virtually any terms

In what ways is the art that stems from writing objective, in your view? You mean like, it becomes an ontological item?

This 100% feels like an Alc album. Not just because everyone posted about it, but because it’s kinda unlike Earl to have so many features on his albums.

Would love to be wrong tho.

No no, I agree the art is subjective. Think you misread me.