OFWGKTA

Earl’s real name is Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, and his father is Keorapetse Kgositsile, one of South Africa’s most celebrated poets. Sanneh spoke with Kgositsile, and learned that the father knew of Earl’s success, but had not listened to the music. “When he feels that he’s got something to share with me, he’ll do that,” Kgositsile said. “And until then I will not impose myself on him just because the world talks of him.”

For most of Sanneh’s reporting, it seemed unlikely that he would actually speak with Earl. He is a minor; he hadn’t left any clues; and the people who seemed likely to know his location weren’t talking. But eventually, Earl’s mother arranged for the young rapper to correspond with Sanneh over e-mail. Sanneh writes:
The circumstances of this exchange surely influenced the tone or content of his replies, but the seventeen-year-old boy who is—or was—Earl Sweatshirt comes across as a thoughtful young man trying to figure out what, exactly, has happened to him. When asked whether he was involuntarily confined, his answer was vehement. “No, no no no no no no no no no no.”

“Initially I was really pleased that all these people claimed that they wanted me released because I thought that translated into ‘they care,’” Earl wrote. “So time progresses and the fan base gets bigger and the ‘Free Earl’ chants get louder but now with the ‘Free Earl’ chants come a barely indirect ‘Fuck Earl’s Mom’ and in the blink of an eye my worry changes from ‘will there still be this hype when I get back’ to ‘Oh shit I just inspired a widespread movement of people who are dedicated to the downfall of my mom.’”

If Tegan And Sara Need Some Hard Dick, Hit Me Up!