Even before the release of his major label debut Doris, the mystique surrounding Earl Sweatshirt would certainly crush lesser MC’s. Back in 2009, the Los Angeles-based talent and member of the controversial Odd Future collective was a barely 16-year-old neophyte who faced the ridiculous task of living up to the hype of being his crew’s golden child. With OF ringleader Tyler, The Creator handling production duties, his free digital download Earl was as vile as it was stunning (murder fantasies never sounded so poetic). But as with all music folklore the best stories tend to be weirdly dramatic. Before Earl could even trade off on the hype he was sent to a Somoa boarding school out of his mother’s fear that her baby boy would fall victim to rock-and-roll indulgence. Which is why Doris is being viewed by many as one of this year’s most important releases. So how does the lyrical wonder measure up? VIBE dissects Earl Sweatshirt’s Doris. —Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)
