What Writers Can Learn From Earl Sweatshirt Pt. 2 (feat. Armand Hammer)

In this video, I break down the writing techniques used in "Tabula Rasa" by Earl Sweatshirt (feat. Armand Hammer). I discuss some of the writing lessons I learned from studying Earl's verse, including how to better write abstract verses, use alternative rhyme schemes, and include impactful imagery in your writing. I also do a little bonus breakdown of some of ELUCID's verse because I couldn't help myself.
This is a follow-up video to the first Earl Sweatshirt Lyrical Analysis, if y'all like this one I'm totally down to do some more Earl videos!
I'm a little rusty editing wise due to being away so forgive the edit being a little rough around the edges.
This was a super fun track to break down and I hope you learned something from it! Let's keep the discourse going in the comments below :)
Background music used in this video:
• Alchemist x Earl Sweat... Prod. Niko
• [Free For Profit] Earl... Prod by MORETH
• (FREE FOR PROFIT) Inst... Prod. Scarim

[@MMfish_]

Earl one of my favs since he dropped Some Rap Songs. Awesome he has taken some men under his wing and really cut a lane in the underground

[@unknownreviews7259]

Agreed, I think honestly what he's done for alot of artists just can't be understated. one of the goats of this century imo

[@lilpukey]

I’m so old I’ve been listening to him since he called himself Sly Tendencies

[@SmellyDonutSpawn]

Billy woods and elucid have been making music for over a decade

[@jonraymond]

FYI not many of the people he’s worked with were “under his wing”. They came up on their own.

[@YaeMade]

Fax, Earl introduced me to MAVI one of my fav artist who is still pretty underground.

[@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz354]

APPRECIATE THIS SO MUCH genyuinely one of the most insightful youtube videos ive watched in a while

[@unknownreviews7259]

so glad you gained something from it! thanks man :)

[@jacob2473]

@@unknownreviews7259 You forgot to include the first instrumental in the description. Do you mind telling me what it's called?

[@MMfish_]

Read your description too about being rusty editing...props for just getting it done! You rub me as the "All things worth doing are meant to be done well" perfectionist so you just getting the ball rolling again is major props keep it up and get obnoxious about getting your stuff out there cause it's 🔥

[@unknownreviews7259]

stuff like this is really what makes getting it done worth it. your input is so appreciated! much love!

[@Zian08]

This is exactly the type of video i was looking for, in depth analysis of rap verses. Thank you so much, this was extremely insightful. I'd like to see more of this kind of videos around

[@unknownreviews7259]

I really appreciate the kind words! I'm really trying to approach analyzing these verses from a different lens, glad you connected with it!

[@creativemindsyoutube]

I really like that point around anchoring complexity off of simple foundations that we can understand and find a solid ground with. Appreciate the work and title layouts, cheers from England

[@unknownreviews7259]

Thank you!! Yeah that was something I really didn't think about until I started looking into this track. Gonna try it in my own writing too and see how it works. Cheers!

[@oliverbranch777]

This was my first Billy woods song I heard and it’s has been my favorite song since from the trio. The instrumental has no flaws in my opinion

[@PLPSAINTFRAZIER]

Aye dawg, never stop making content. Your a unique creator in the hip hop niche, so you make your money and do what you love from doing KZbin, I feel it. I'm an artist and you videos bring insight on what I can add to my music. Much love dawg god bless 🙏

[@wndrmbjmb]

SICK! is a sick album 👌

[@xxnatan-elxx]

I think "midnight wax" could also represent "midnight thoughts." When looking into the context of the song, the phrase "tabula rasa" means "blank state." Blank slate as in the idea that individuals have a blank mental state when they come into the world, and are then molded by their nurturers. But "tabula" also means "wax tablet." (According to Wikipedia)

[@unknownreviews7259]

that's really good, really like that interpretation. thanks!

[@theonlywizardwashere]

this was incredibly well laid out. you managed to break down complex concepts in an incredibly simple manner. 10/10 will be checking out more of your work

[@treysnider2902]

Yooo as a fellow writer and earl sweathshirt fan I thoroughly enjoyed this. Being able to talk about different ways to deepen the power of the craft is so important 🙏🙌💗 keep doing what you're doing, it working 👌

[@WoeToAllThatWalkTheEarth]

BRO KEEP GOING! your content is food for thought. you got the literature guys and the hiphop heads shaking hands in solidarity. this is my new favorite channel; i’m not even kidding. the artist that you cover unconsciously influence my pen because they’re such good writers so i’m glad there are people like you discussing it. keep doing your thing.

[@unknownreviews7259]

Thank you so much bro!! def got some more videos coming out so stay tuned. salute!

[@KENFINITY_3K]

Nicely done! Loving the dissection of Sweatshirts genius- pointing us to our own genius 🙏🏾❤️ much appreciation

[@GamesWithBrainz]

I looked up armand hammer and slightly surprisingly this was one of the first results. Very happy ive found this channel

[@unknownreviews7259]

Thank you so much!! Yep, lots of earl and AH talk on this channel so you've come to the right place. happy to have you :)

[@joshpepper902]

you should breakdown EAST next!

[@unknownreviews7259]

realistically i could do that both ironically and unironically. the best sea shanty type beat of all time

[@carlos.serone]

Amazing video as usual! One of my all time favourite songs.

[@unknownreviews7259]

thanks so much!! AH x Earl is literally incredible every time. so much chemistry

[@leahag3798]

This was an incredible video! Thank you

[@ChainsTheChef888]

Bro what you said about he doesn't let rhyme scheme to limit him is on point, I love perfect clean rhyme schemes such as compound, multisyllabic rhyme schemes like Lord Finesse, Big L, Big Daddy Kane style of writing and I write like that a lot, with metaphors and clean use of the syllables but I started to implement this poetry type of writing where I don't let rhyme scheme intervene in the process of me portraying an image and then sometimes I go full old school and just write freestyle types of raps with clean rhyme schemes, dope punchlines and a lot of metaphors, making emphasis on the rhyme schemes. Great Analisis!

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you!! that's a really nice balance you've got there!

[@zacstarkey1369]

please keep these up!

[@KN93_]

Amazing dawg. You’re very skilled at what you do, especially being so new to yt. Super impressive

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you so much!!

[@whenthepainends]

Dawg, what an analysis. Imma subscribe fr

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you so much!!

[@rogueremedy]

This video really helped with writing and analysis, thanks :D

[@Yojxmbo]

Wow this was good! Subbed and please keep it up!

[@minyaminilla]

i love these videos soo much!!!!, never listeend to elucid before so ty for pmo

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you!!! elucid is great omg have fun exploring his discog, its a wild ride. def one of the most underrated out there!

[@benlem]

great vid as always man, incredible song

[@unknownreviews7259]

thanks!! 🙏

[@anjovimusic]

Fantastic job on this! Love the extra attention to detail you put in and the walking through of your thought process. Another rapper that I adore for his writing is KA the rapper. His style is also thoughtful like Earl's but different enough to warrant exploring in a video like this if you're looking for more video ideas. He has a gift for immersing you emotionally through his wordplay (as opposed to breaking immersion through lyrical miracle antiques)

[@unknownreviews7259]

fam I've been thinking of doing a lyrical breakdown on KA for awhile. LOVE HIM. did a review on languish arts on my channel. def expect more videos on him at some point. hes one of the best out there

[@anjovimusic]

@@unknownreviews7259 Oh!? I didn't even notice that. Right on man! Excited for you man! You're super bright and your passion for music is infectious.

[@Peter-gf4qd]

I’ve analyzed earls verse so many times

[@periodictabloid]

Just found your page. Love it. Love form Toronto

[@twofivemome]

love these videos, just so much care to tha craft, peace

[@unknownreviews7259]

much love! its all out of passion for sure. thank you!

[@blackout4387]

such a great commentary video! The editing wasn't rusty at all don't worry!

[@astr0sauce]

great video mane

[@noxmoloto5368]

THANK YOU FOR EXISTING... MAKE MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS PLEASE AND THANK YOU

[@unknownreviews7259]

NO PROB MORE COMING VERY SOON 🫡🫡

[@geminikid609]

I think chapters rhymes with massive And fragments rhymes with balance Giving it an abab rhymes scheme

[@unknownreviews7259]

I could see that too for sure, good point

[@geminikid609]

@unknownreviews7259 I also want to add I love the channel I've been subscribed for a while and I see the passion you have for writing. Its hard to find someone who cares enough to focus on good lyicsim I can't wait for what you do next

[@JaredSilva_]

great video man.

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you!!

[@cruxmind]

It would be interesting to see this type of writing in mainstream trap songs.

[@peace2gc]

Great video I always enjoy ur content

[@unknownreviews7259]

Much appreciated! :))

[@XXDanimalz]

good content,

[@kulture.]

Please do Mavi next 🙏🙏

[@unknownreviews7259]

He's on my list - I have to listen to Mavi a bit more frequently to come up with a video so I'm working on it! I did the same thing with MIKE. took some time to get into him then did a review on him so, keep your eyes out. I'll probably get to MAVI eventually

[@danielwatts3958]

Most structured breakdown yet. I'm a huge Earl fan so I constantly study his lines and to hear it like this opened my thoughts.

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you so much!!!

[@kevinleonardo2063]

What beat is playing between 5:15 & 10:30? Glad I came across this one. What a breakdown 👏🏽 hats off 🤌🏼🎓

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you so much!! The three beats I used are listed in my description!

[@adebayox4031]

Wat instrumental u using at the beginning

[@tajonstewart]

Smart

[@larrybirdsson]

Thats Freedom tower in my town ! boy what u know about that 😂😂

[@gidthaillest]

Very good vid

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you!!

[@Williamjohns21]

Do you have a list of songs with great instrumentals that you think would stand the test of time ? Like the music in the background of the video. I’m trying to enrich my taste and quality and sound in music.

[@thomasblanco8838]

Hey man, I loved the vid. What was the name of the beat u use at 0:19?

[@unknownreviews7259]

thanks so much! I listed all beats in the description!

[@dannny8232]

whats the song start from 0:10 amazing video

[@Clifffields]

Thank you i need to get to work haha

[@Stateoftheculture]

you should do a video of how some of these artist are a brain child of MF DOOM When you study his work it teaches you to be transparent and outside the box

[@unknownreviews7259]

thats a really interesting idea. gotta think on that some more for sure. thank you!

[@Charlotte-bz8ho]

It’s called spoken word/rap in simple terms their just writing real poems and performing as rap but it’s really a poem

[@MrAmazinguy14]

bro where in the world did you get the knx remix to huey??

[@MrAmazinguy14]

also vid is fantastic!

[@unknownreviews7259]

thank you!! I actually used some free for profit beats - gonna link those in the desc

[@NEVERALONETRSTUDIOS]

How 2 is insane 😂

[@incognitiveincognito]

Hey man your very insightful into this style of writing your video os are much appreciated. I was wondering if you had an email cause I've been writing rhymes recently and would be cool to get feedback from some similar minded people¿ Or even making a discord for this channel with that being a piece of it would be cool I don't even use discord but I would for that.

[@unknownreviews7259]

Hey thank you! I have both an email and a discord channel (currently about to revive it, its a little slow in there). [e-mail] and here's the invite link: discord.gg/KqS9xmPW

[@afreshreaction]

this technique doesn't apply to OFWGKTA

[@yinbrown6212]

how you still up and coming ? you old.