2018 has been an excellent and a thrilling one for music; across all genres. It can almost be too overwhelming to listen to it all, with new releases weekly and surprise EPs/albums that drop without a single warning. Rapper Earl Sweatshirt has been on a hiatus from music for years, and announced about a week ago, that he plans to release his upcoming record called "Some Rap Songs" on November 30. Before getting into the playlist, here is a layout of the terrific music of the year.
The year in review
Although there is still well over a month left to 2018, it deserves some recognition, as it had some great releases from some of the biggest names in music.
It saw the arrival of Lil Wayne's awaited, "Tha Carter V," that was said to be rumored for years to arrive and was finally put out to the public, along with the critically acclaimed album, "DAYTONA" by Pusha T, which featured him embroiled in a rap battle with Drake too.
Drake responded with his album, "Scorpion," which managed to break records once again, but with not much sting to boot against Pusha T for various reasons. Then, critics and fans saw an onslaught of music from veteran rapper Kanye West, in a collaborative album with Kid Cudi in "Kids See Ghosts," a solo album, and a record from Nas called "Nasir."
J. Cole dropped a great album in "KOD" that had some of the biggest meanings of using drugs and the effects it has on people and the community.
It also saw the unfortunate death of Mac Miller, who upon review, was caused by drugs and the killing of XXXTentacion.
Playboi Carti dropped an energetic album called "Die Lit," and Denzel Curry broke into the rap game with heavy hitting in his album. The year also saw the release of "Astroworld," by Travis Scott, with hit song "SICKO MODE," which could be heard everywhere around the world with a fast-changing beat and catchy lyrics to par.
The year also saw the emergence of young star Juice WRLD, with the betrayal of an ex and an album with trap star Future, along with the slow growth of Jaden Smith. Cardi B also dropped her album, "Invasion of Privacy," which was met with great reviews.
Pop fans saw the release of the album, "Sweetener," by Ariana Grande, who has been through a lot in the year, and the rising eminence of pop singer Charlie Puth and his album "Voicenotes." Twenty-one pilots also had an album release, along with Imagine Dragons.
The tracklist
Earl Sweatshirt started out his career with his album, "Doris," and then was followed up by his second dark album "I Don't Like S**t, I Don't Go Outside: An Album by Earl Sweatshirt." His upcoming album clocks in at around 25 minutes, according to a post from Hotnewhiphop.com. Short and to the point, it seems, as his prior record was 30 minutes long.
The rapper tends to have a dark tone and style to his music that has taken him to success and solid fans. He was a collaborator and friend to Mac Miller, who was featured on some songs of his and likewise to his work.
His latest offering has shown some glimpses of experimental production and the dark imagery that the rapper is known for.
It seems to be another dark album and one that could confront the death of his father. His prior record touched upon his upbringing, filled with getting into trouble and coping with being depressed along with it. Another rapper, named Navy Blue, is featured on the song, "The Mint," and Sweatshirt released one other song on the record, called "Nowhere2go" with its funky production and fluid poetry.
Both of his parents are credited on the song "Playing Possum," and by the looks of the tracklist, with the names of other songs, like Shattered Dreams," Cold Summers," and "Veins," it is looking to have a dark tone and possibly be powerful.
Earl Sweatshirt has improved and it will have to be seen if he has on his upcoming record, but from some songs released, along with the production, it doesn't seem that it will disappoint.
The rapper has become known for his twisting rhymes and powerful statements in his work, in addition to his dark imagery.
His father, Keorapetse Kgositsile, was a national poet to South Africa, which is an incredible achievement and shows that the apple does not fall far from the tree, as the rapper channels it in his music. Earl had this to say about his father before his death, as credited from an article in Pitchfork: "Talking to him is symbolic and non-symbolic, but it's literally closure for my childhood. Not getting to have that moment left me to figure out a lot with my da** self."
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦😭😭😭❤️❤️🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/Vf3Y6BZcR6
— thebe kgositsile SRS 11/30 (@earlxsweat) November 20, 2018