Earl Sweatshirt has broken up a relatively quiet year today, releasing his first new song in over two years entitled “Nowhere2go,” today. This track was released as a sudden announcement on the rapper’s social media profiles, and it is unknown as of press time whether or not a full album project will follow.
The artist’s last solo track release was “Balance,” featuring LA producer Knxwledge back in August of 2016. While the rapper has not been releasing music on his own, he has been featured on tracks by other artists including Danny Brown’s “Really Doe,” released in 2016 and a small feature on Vince Staples’ new album FM!
“Nowhere2go,” hosts an experimental hip hop vibe, blending off eclectic vocal samples, base lines and snare parts, over an atmospheric beat. Earl delivers one long verse throughout the track, while a discernible hook or chorus are also noticeably absent.
This track addresses several events in the rapper’s life, including his struggles with depression, which the rapper has frequently discussed, and his new collaborations with the [sLUms]. collective from New York City. Both Booliemane and Adé Hakim, who produced this new track, are from the collective.
“THIS YEAR BEEN THE ROUGHEST OF MY LIFE, BUT HERE WE ARE !!!” Earl explained on social media upon releasing the track. Earlier this year, the rapper’s father Keorapetse Kgositsile, a South African poet, along with his close friend and frequent collaborator Mac Miller passed away.
YEEAAAAOEOOEOEOE TO SAY IM EXCITED TO B GIVING YALL MUSIC IS BIG UNDERSTATEMENT. THIS YEAR BEEN THE ROUGHEST OF MY LIFE, BUT HERE WE ARE !!! https://t.co/boQ2tTJmgo
— thebe kgositsile (@earlxsweat) November 8, 2018
While Earl has not been releasing music as often, he has held several live performances this year, with an appearance at Mac Miller’s tribute event in Los Angeles, and the InCuya music festival in Cleveland Ohio. The rapper’s next scheduled performance is at Camp Flog Gnaw this weekend.