Conny Chavez August 18th, 2025 - 12:28 PM
A secret listening party was held Friday night in Downtown Los Angeles in honor of Earl Sweatshirt’s upcoming album, Live Laugh Love. The Chicago rapper was a no-show at his own event, and an imposter was introduced as Earl Sweatshirt during the show.
People still filled the cocktail club The Let’s Go! as the album playback began 10 minutes before 9 o’clock. An easel holding a canvas with the album title Live Laugh Love was propped up at the entrance outside the venue and another identical one was inside the venue. Three special cocktails were served at the bar: Live Whiskey, Laugh Vodka, and Love Tequila. Food was passed around by waiters, including small finger foods and pizza from the restaurant next door. Fans and people from the industry nodded their heads along to every beat as Earl Sweatshirt’s songs played. Comedian and rapper Zack Fox was among those who attended the event. During the exclusive celebration, two unreleased songs were played.
Ahead of the event, attendees were told Earl would be present and play new music at the listening party. However, the former Odd Future member never showed up and when the time came to introduce the man of the hour a man sporting a Supreme hat and grey jacket was ushered in through a second entrance by the bar, fans confused still waiting to see Earl walk by witness the man walk to the front of the DJ set up, grab a mic, and mumble rap along to Earl Sweatshirt’s title track of the upcoming record. The crowd surrounded the man and recorded every second. Others still turned their heads searching for the real Earl Sweatshirt. Those who brought in their own vinyl, hoping to get Earl’s signature, were left baffled as the DJ continuously referred to the mysterious man as Earl Sweatshirt. “Don’t be shy, come say hi, come say what’s up to Earl Sweatshirt,” said the DJ as the unknown individual danced along to the DJ’s mixes.
Earl Sweatshirt has been lowkey in recent years. mxdwn reached out to the PR rep for Earl Sweatshirt and was not given any information as to why Earl never showed up to his own album reveal event or who the man was. It’s unknown if the mystery man who passed off as Earl Sweatshirt was some sort of promotional stunt or simply a cover for Earl’s failure to show up to his own event.
Hours after the secret event, an attendee posted several images on Reddit of a special-made zine that only a few attendees received, as well as some t-shirts with a possible track list printed on the back. The t-shirts were never brought out during the event; it is unknown if they were meant to be given to attendees. The Reddit user did clarify that they simply found a box and grabbed a few shirts. One of the t-shirts in the images includes 11 possible title tracks under the album’s name, Live Laugh Love. The zine included a list of 26 contributors, including big names such as Vince Staples, Donald Glover, Dave Chappelle, and Steven Yeun. The booklet was filled with words, art, and photographs of said contributors. It has not been clarified exactly what contributors contributed to, whether the upcoming record or simply the zine.
Intentional or not, Earl Sweatshirt’s listening party was a disappointment. To promise the artist will be present and perform, simply to have him never show up and never give an explanation as to why, is a let down. Earl Sweatshirt’s upcoming album Live Laugh Love has no official release date but is expected to be released sometime later this year.
@connywitha_yEarl Sweatshirt Listening Party Earl was a no-show and instead this man was introduced as Earl.♬ Chum (Instrumental) – Earl Sweatshirt
