25 Essential Songs You Should Know

The Internet — “Fastlane”

Before The Internet achieved cult classic status, the group set out to bring something new to Odd Future. In 2011, the band, which was only a duo consisting of Syd tha Kyd and Matt Martians, released their debut, Purple Naked Ladies, on Odd Future Records. It was the first project to get a physical release and turned some heads with its anti-unhinged music, a direct contrast to what their cohorts were doing at the time.

“Fastlane” became a fan-favorite for its lush production, setting the foundation for what The Internet would evolve into in the future. While the track didn’t chart, it was a darling on various Blog Era websites. I remember distinctly seeing the music video being shared around the net with speculation about Syd’s sexuality before ultimately not caring because the music was so damn good. Good times.

Domo Genesis — “Elimination Chamber”

Domo Genesis‘ No Idols was the second project to be released under Odd Future Records in 2012. The mixtape was a collaborative effort from Domo and The Alchemist, which was made available for download on the main Odd Future site and Datpiff.com—do your googles if you ain’t familiar with the latter! However, one of the standout tracks from the affair was “Elimination Chamber,” which was another posse cut featuring a slew of rising emcees that would cement themselves in the game years after the fact.

Domo, alongside Vince Staples, Action Bronson, and Earl Sweatshirt, got busy on the microphone, spitting venomous rhymes over eerie production. “Elimination Chamber” was the first single from the mixtape to let everyone know that Domo and Earl were actual students of the craft and not just rambunctious teenagers.

MellowHype — “Astro”

MellowHype, a duo consisting of Left Brain and Hodgy Beats, offered their second and final studio album in 2012 with Numbers. The LP yielded two singles, but one of the project’s fan-favorite cuts was “Astro.” Left Brain handles production as Hodgy works emcee duties, with additional vocals and scattered verses from Frank Ocean. The track isn’t one of Frank’s most well-known contributions, but the song finds the musician using techniques and vocal performances that he would eventually employ on his second studio album, Blonde. It’s really dope to see where some of those concepts originated from when looking back.

Tyler, The Creator — “Bimmer”

2013 also found Tyler, the Creator, slowly but surely, morphing into a more mature artist and shedding his delinquent persona. During an interview with Spin Magazine, the California native opened up about his evolution and what fans could expect from 2013’s Wolf, saying, “Talking about rape and cutting bodies up, it just doesn’t interest me anymore…what interests me is making weird hippie music for people to get high to. With Wolf, I’ll brag a little more, talk about money and buying shit…People who wanted the first album again, I can’t do that. I was 18, broke as f**k. On my third album, I have money and I’m hanging out with my idols. I can’t rap about the same sh*t.”

And the album delivered that particular sentiment. “Bimmer,” a part of a three-song track on the LP, sounded like nothing Tyler had released up until that point. The breezy production sounded like the first day of spring and clearly drew upon his love for that Neptune sound. Frank Ocean is heard on the ad-libs and background vocals, filling out the composition with more butter and orange hues than the dark, demented colors more commonly associated with Tyler’s horrorcore at the time. A video for the song was tacked on at the end of “Domo23,” a track that was rambunctious and unhinged—almost as if Tyler was attempting to wean his fans off of the old sound and guide them into the next phase of his artistry.

The Internet — “Dontcha”

The Internet roared back with their sophomore project, Feel Good, in 2013. Adding more members to their band, in the form of Tay Walker, Jameel Bruner, Patrick Paige II, and Steve Lacy, the group’s sound evolved into a more well-rounded affair, complete with strings and more confidence.

“Dontcha,” the second single off their second album, was the best example of this, as the group created a groovy number that has become a Blog Era classic for its use of bass and musical intention. And it doesn’t hurt that The Neptunes’ Chad Hugo put his timeless touch on it to send it to the next level. “Dontcha” didn’t chart, but it has since become one of the group’s biggest songs across streaming platforms, not to mention a staple at weddings.

Odd Future — “Rella”

As for the rambunctious sh*t though, can I introduce you to, “Rella?” The track was featured on The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 as the lead single and included verses from Domo, Hodgy, Tyler and Left Brain handling the production. The track is as ignorant as you could possibly get in a Hip-Hop song, with the music video taking things to another level. I’m still confused about what that music video was even saying ’til this day. The track peaked at No. 50 on Billboard’s US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs, but the real impact was felt at Odd Future’s live shows. “Rella” was a fan favorite, and once the beat dropped, every live venue would transform into a ball of teenage rage ready to start a ruckus. You just had to be there.

Tyler, The Creator — “IFHY”

Tyler has always admired Pharrell’s work, so for the rapper to land his idol on “IFHY” for Wolf, it was a moment for the young creative. As previously mentioned, the California native was determined to slowly strive towards more mature or less angsty art, and “IFHY” was a combination of both worlds. The first half of the song is rapped from the perspective of an obsessed lover, a lá “She,” where the couple appears to be on the fritz. The bipolar love song then shifts into a composition more akin to a dream when Skateboard P begins harmonizing.

“IFHY” strikes the perfect balance between what Tyler envisioned for himself as an artist while keeping his other foot in the sound that got him a cult following. The same formula would be applied to his next album, Cherry Bomb, but the results varied—greatly. Nonetheless, the song became an album fan-favorites, with “IFHY” even finding success on Billboard’s Heatseekers Songs chart, where it peaked at No. 24. The track would eventually be certified platinum by the RIAA a decade after its release in 2023.

The Jet Age Of Tomorrow — “Mushy”

The Jet of Age of Tomorrow’s work during the Blog Era is something of a rarity nowadays, as most of the duo’s releases have been lost to time. But, just like The Internet, the group worked to expand OF’s sound, presenting a diverse soundscape to an already packed out collective. “Mushy” in particular, arrived on the duo’s Jellyfish Mentality mixtape in 2013. And while the work didn’t chart, “Mushy” along with a slew of other, tracks quickly became fan-favorites within the fandom.

This track doesn’t feature any vocals and is purely all instrumentation, offering a moody and introspective number from the duo. Tracks and sonic creations like “Mushy” inspired a number of musicians affiliated with the OF collective, most notably frequent collaborator Mac Miller. The Pittsburgh native would go on to record various heavy instrumental projects under different pseudonyms to release this creative energy. Mac’s mixtapes, such as Larry Lovestein & The Velvet Revival and Delusional Thomas, could be attributed to him hanging out with Odd Future around this time, so shoutout to the Jet Age of Tomorrow.

Tyer, The Creator — “Deathcamp”

“Deathcamp” appeared on Cherry Bomb, and it is a sonic, unashamed love letter from Tyler, the Creator to N.E.R.D. The track sounds like it could have been featured on the P, Chad, and Shae Haley’s debut LP, In Search Of, which the rapper namedrops on the track. “In Search Of…did more for me than Illmatic, That’s when I realized we ain’t cut from the same fabric,” Tyler spits in the first half as roaring guitars and driving drums permeate around his voice. “Deathcamp” also begins with a four-count sonic signifier that Pharrell often uses at the beginning of tracks that he has produced, driving home the love for his hero.

The song is important in that it kicks off Tyler’s Cherry Bomb era—an era that finds Tyler at a crossroads between continuing to kick it with his wild a** friends in Odd Future or finding his wings and becoming the musician he was destined to be. Spoiler alert: the latter prevails.

Tyler, The Creator — “Perfect”

Kali and Tyler have made some killer tracks together. I mean, one of them would eventually go on to become the Odd Future leader’s most successful single to date (“See You Again”). But before they could get there, the duo linked up for “Perfect,” the second half of “F**king Young” from Cherry Bomb. As opposed to the first part of the track, “Perfect” dives deep into neo-soul sensibilities, powered by the raspy, sultry delivery of Uchi’s vocals. The video version of the song features additional vocals and a guitar performance from Austin Feinstein.

The Internet — “Wanders of the Mind”

An ethereal guitar arrangement backed by a starry keyboard and synths drive the first minute and a half of “Wanders of the Mind.” Suddenly, the beat gives way to curious drums and scattered notes as Mac Miller utters his first words on the soulful beat: “Yeah.” What follows is the Pittsburgh native pining for an unknown lover with his signature hoarse and raspy voice as Syd‘s harmonies bleed into the background—gorgeous, gorgeous composition.

“Wanders of the Mind” would appear on Feel Good and further establish Miller’s link with the California outfit, leading to another collaboration from the Mac and The Internet a couple of months later. December 2013 brought about Live From Space, the first and only live studio album from Mac Miller, and featured Syd Tha Kid and the squad on backing vocals and instrumentation.

“Wanders of the Mind” is a track that could be considered a critical moment for all parties involved and their artistry moving forward. Rest in peace, Mac.

Odd Future — “Analog 2”

Man, when Odd Future Records was active? They released some heat on that label and “Analog 2” is one of them ones. The track features contributions from Tyler, Frank, and Syd and serves as a sequel to “Analog” from Goblin. Much like its predecessor, “Analog 2” follows Tyler’s character Ace, a serial killer, who is “romantically” inviting an unspecified love interest down to the lake. The song could also be read as a normal romantic song about summer fun with your friends, but we can’t just ignore the lore, man! Nonetheless, Frank Ocean delivers a sensual plea to a lover as he attempts to recruit a significant other to the lakeside for a good time. Syd then takes the wheel towards the 2:12 mark as she hits the gooiest melody on the whole Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 project, a vocal performance straight out of heaven. If you’re unfamiliar with OF, “Analog 2” is one of those songs that has since been buried under all of the other songs in the record labels’ catalog, but, at this point, it’s so underrated.

Domo Genesis — “Go (Gas)”

This may as well be considered a list of underrated OF Records cuts because that is exactly what “Go (Gas)” is. Released in 2016, “Go (Gas)” served as the second and final single on Domo’s debut studio album, Genesis, and featured assistance from Wiz Khlaifa, Juicy J, and Tyler—who also produced the beat. And while that does sound like a combination of artists, which it totally is, the song actually is a clear time capsule of 2016. A smoked-out Wiz Khalifa rhyming over Tyler’s production as Juicy J continues the momentum from his late 2010’s run while Domo declares himself “the hardest in the new school.” “Go (Gas)” offers a glimpse into the beauty of what made OF so magical: on one hand they were all talented as sh*t, but on the other hand, chaos was how it was often most represented. And this track is beautiful chaos. Plus, do you hear Wolf-era guitar licks on this joint?—makes the track sound like a Quentin Tarantino film.

Tyler, The Creator — “She”

“She” by Tyler the Creator picked up the pieces that “Yonkers” shattered—well, kind of. The track was released as the fourth single from Tyler’s second studio album, Goblin, and was the perfect release heading into the Summer of 2011. “She” featured Frank Ocean, who was riding high off the February self-release of Nostalgia, Ultra, and the track was hyped up with every possible teaser from Odd Future. The song would eventually be released to critical acclaim, with fans loving the dynamic between Frank and Tyler and even loving the moody atmosphere of the production. Visuals for the song were premiered like a movie, with a grand release going down on the official Odd Future website. While the song didn’t chart, the cut did manage to go 2x Platinum.

Plus, the song has a special place in the hearts of Millenials who used to surf on Tumblr. Again, if you know, you know.

Odd Future — “Oldie”

“Oldie,” in hindsight, was so special because it was the rare posse cut, showing off the full might of the Wolf Gang. The video was simply a beautiful moment that happened on accident. The group released the track on their 2012 project, The OF Tape, Vol 2, as the outro to the jam-packed compilation. The almost eleven-minute record featured a who’s who of almost every member of the bastard collective, with verses from cats you wouldn’t even label, like Jasper (who did just that). “Oldie” also received a complimentary video, which was shot by happenstance after Tyler told the cameraman during a photo shoot to “keep it rolling.” The result was a peak into the friendship that served as the foundation for OF, while also reminding people why they were garnering so much hype. Truly a moment in time.

Domo Genesis — “Dapper”

Domo was on a run during the rollout of his debut album, Genesis. During this period, the rapper was becoming known more as an emcee outside of OF’s shenanigans and, much like Tyler, was growing up. So, songs like “Dapper” featuring Anderson .Paak being a single for his LP made so much sense. The genre-blending number was a shocking, sonic departure from his usual smoked sound that debated his existence in the face of haters and a crumbling society. Instead, “Dapper” sounds like the song that would soundtrack the end credits of a coming-of-age film about a group of friends going their separate ways. Or something like that.

Groovy, infectious, happy, and joyous, Domo spits over a sample of Dexter Wansel’s “Voyager” as he attempts to woo potential lovers in lyrics that denote a feel-good jam. The track flew under the radar, but it demonstrates how versatile the collective was and how they constantly evolved as a group and as individuals.

The Internet – “Lincoln”

Mike G is one of the unsung heroes of OF. Aside from having a solid verse on “Oldie,” “Lincoln” became one of his essential offerings on the label. The track was released on The Internet’s Purple Naked Ladies project and featured production from Left Brain and the band themself. Mike G is at his most comfortable and smoothest here, with a cut that feels like a chill gangsta lean. Mike G spits a braggadocio rhyme about stuntin’ on the opposition, standing ten toes down for the Wolf Gang, and flaunting his arsenal of women at his disposal. “Lincoln” is the perfect track to represent how creatives like Mike G played their role and contributed to championship-winning teams like OF.

Tyler, The Creator — “Find Your Wings”

“Find Your Wings” was what the more mature “outside of the rap box” tracks on Cherry Bomb sounded like. Drawing on inspiration from Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, and more, the track is a jazzy number that feels like a summer breeze. “Find Your Wings” finds Tyler channeling greats before him as he offers a reassuring track that urges “little ni**as” to “fly” and chase their dreams. I don’t wanna keep the Pharrell comparisons going, but the song feels like a blend between “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” era Ayers and P’s “You Can Do It Too”—strange fusion in theory, but incredibly executed by the right artist. The “Find Your Wings” video also features contributions from frequent collaborators Left Brain, Syd, and Kali Uchis, amongst other artists. The song didn’t chart, but it has since become a fan-favorite, and as Tyler’s catalog ages and matures, the track has found a place within a new swath of fans for the Grammy award winner.

The Internet — “Girl”

The Internet is severely underrated for their contributions to music at large. Seriously. Ego Death, the group’s third studio album, has more fan-favorite hits than actual hits, so it’s almost disrespectful. Like, “Girl” wasn’t a No. 1 song? Nonetheless, that aforementioned song is one of the most essential in the Odd Future catalog thanks to its stellar, sensual production, crisp instrumentation and, of course, alluring vocals from Syd. The track feels like a romantic encounter with a potential lover in a dimly lit setting with faint music and warm conversation. “Girl” paints the perfect picture of someone professing their admiration for a possible significant other, and it does it with just the right amount of sex appeal, without becoming corny.

MellowHigh — “Troublesome”

Hodgy Beats, Left Brain, and Domo Genesis morphed together into a group within the overall collective called MellowHigh. The trio of artists issued their debut album on Halloween 2013 and featured an array of features from Curren$y, Smoke DZA, Earl, Tyler, and more. The lead single from the project was “Troublesome,” produced by Left Brizzle, and found Domo and Hodgy spitting verses with a marijuana-tinged feeling about them, unraveling the reasons for getting high and how they lifted above typical day-to-day nonsense. The single represents the higher highs of what their debut album could’ve been, had it been more cohesive. Still, “Troublesome” is a great indicator of what happens when Domo and Hodgy lock in.

Tyler, The Creator — “Rusty”

Another posse cut from the OF crew arrived on Wolf with “Rusty” featuring Earl and Domo. Domo Genesis kicks the song with a hard-hitting verse, setting the tone for the rest of the members on wax and leading into the chorus, which he also performed. Earl then picks up the microphone with his signature laid-back flow, internal rhyme schemes, and heady vocabulary. But the intensity builds with Tyler’s verse on the record, as he ridicules his naysayers and critics, flaunts the fact that he made it out of the ghetto, and swears off competition, challenging his squad. A sample of the obscure 2002 video game for the Nintendo Gamecube, Sanity’s Requiem, could also be heard behind Tyler’s vocals and thereafter when “Samuel” enters the song. Who is Samuel? No spoilers. Just go listen to Wolf.

The Internet — “Special Affair”

“Special Affair” is another sexy and sensual number from the Ego Death LP, with a thumping bass and slick guitar chords. The music video version of the track finds an added layer of kicks and drums that subtly creep below the beat—make sure you pay attention. Syd and the crew create their version of a banger, using mellowed vibes and a sultry hook to boot. The yearning in Bennett’s voice is palpable; She performs the song as if she’s in lust and straddling the lines of love in the perfect situation. But…the video version of the song suddenly transforms into a beautiful mantra declaring that the potential lover is “more than your curse”…

The Internet — “Curse/Palace”

This brings us to the next track in the three-part composition experience, “Curse.” Syd spearheads this number as the thumping and moody atmosphere of “Special Affair” transforms into a rigid boom-bap groove. The song soundtracks a person so gorgeous that they’re stumped by the essence of their beauty.

“Baby, you made me believe I could fall in love at first/Sight, how you stopped me with your/Body, I’m under your curse,” Syd sings affectionately.

But of course, that isn’t the last song in the music video iteration of the track. After a brief flash of the album’s title, viewers are introduced to another setting, and Tyler, the Creator, asking, “Y’all ain’t never been to a party before?” “Palace” then begins bumping and blaring out of a house party setting, with T spitting his verse before Syd comes creeping in with her pixie-like vocals, singing about inviting a flame back to her crib. The song culminates with a lively beat, perfect for a kickback, permeating throughout the composition as slick keyboard notes carry us home.

Tyler, The Creator — “Smuckers”

Bar-wise, “Smuckers” is THEE track to go to during this era of Tyler’s artistry. Stacked up next to two of his inspirations in Kanye West and Lil Wayne, T holds his own, ruminating on his current success, being deemed a homophobe, the status of Odd Future and how he saw his career at the time (“Ni**a I’m a God, a divine one”). The 5-minute track features the three men spitting with no hook, divided into two portions marked by a beat switch. The first part of “Smuckers” finds an aggressive beat powered by arpeggiated drums and includes a verse from Ye while the second part of the song features Weezy’s verse. T and Wayne go and back forth on the back of the song as the beat morphs into something much more soulful and akin to what Ye and Wayne would have rapped on back in 2006—think “Let The Beat Build.”

“Smuckers” is a perfect example of a track that shows you how far Tyler has grown since the beginning of OF, with his pen becoming sharper and his production starting to grow up. And if that isn’t convincing, Tyler is standing toe-to-toe with giants while doing this. Underrated track.

Frank Ocean — “White”

I know, I know, you were probably wondering where all the Frank Ocean was on this list. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Frank didn’t release any of his projects on Odd Future Records. However, that didn’t mean he didn’t collaborate and contribute to various projects across the label.

“White” appeared on The Odd Future Tape Vol. and featured the Louisiana singer as the sole artist on the cut, crooning over moody Tyler, the Creator production. Ocean meditates on his current position as a creative who is getting older within the music industry. Thoughts turn melancholic as Frank attempts to make sense of potentially leaving behind “his wild friends and all the times he’s had with them,” hinting at his known lone world mentality that has become synonymous with the artist since his debut album, Channel Orange.

“White” crescendos after Frank’s vocal performance, with the beat finally dropping and keyboard notes whisking away the gloomy track. Interestingly enough, the Grammy award winner would include a song called “White” on the mentioned studio debut LP. Frank Ocean enlisted John Mayer for the second version of the cut, had him record a sullen guitar performance, and tracked it to the song’s original recording without the singer’s vocals. If you play both songs back-to-back with a cross-fade, beginning with the OF Tape’s “White,” the tracks sound like one continuous thought.

With how Odd Future drifted apart, “White” plays like a nostalgic goodbye to an era that raised a generation of social misfits; the track is an intense release of chaotic energy transformed into a cathartic rumination.