They are Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA); a collective of LA skater-kids lead by producer / rapper, Tyler The Creator. Look past the resounding ‘fuck everybody’ sentiment; the cocked glocks, blood, ‘bitches’, death, distaste, self-promotion and sexualisation and you’ll see rap at its finest. Yet you won’t find old school samples or turntable finesse; it is simply aggressive rhyming set to Syd tha Kyd’s drum machine.
One thousand patrons took an hour to sell out the Prince Bandroom, they arrive in their ball caps and boat shoes, the waft of blunts in the air. Crowd surfers crush the swarming floor to chants of, ‘Wolf Gang, Wolf Gang’, and are forced to endure an extra 45 minute wait until OFWGKTA appear.
In trademark bright green ski mask and hoodie, Tyler The Creator burns the stage in convulsive rapture, tearing eyes from their sockets as he and Hodgy Beats offload Sandwitches. They obliterate the room and are soon joined by Domo Genesis, Mike G and Left Brain; looking like the cast of a Larry Clark film, they bombard the crowd and prove the hype is all worth it.
Hodgy Beats and Left Brain are frenetic on MellowHype’s I Got A Gun and Fuck Police. Domo Genesis demonstrates his solo skills on Tang Golf and the comparatively down-tempo Drunk, while Mike G takes centre-stage on Everything That’s Yours and Go Mike G. Tyler’s distinctive tone; part Stringer Bell, part James Earl Jones carves through favourites Yonkers, Fish, French, Seven and Radicals. It’s the proof in the pudding.
The energy is furious; lyrics blurted with insane aggression. Between tracks they’re grateful, lovable and all smiles, it’s hard to know why they talk so much shit and seek to offend so many. Bravado or just young dudes being brash? Surely they’re here to do more than just cuss, go crazy and condemn Chris Brown. Needless to say controversy and chaos have worked for them so far, undeniable passion and performance should do the rest.
Loved: Seeing the hipsters ushered from the VIP as soon as Chris Lilley, record company execs and Big Day Out heavyweights arrived.
Hated: Seeing munters walk into mirrored-walls looking for the restroom.
Drank: From plastic cups; a tell tale sign the night would be physical.
