OFWGKTA
Odd Future performing in Toronto in 2011
Background information
Also known as	OFWGKTA, Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, Wolf Gang, Golf Wang, Flog Gnaw
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative Hip Hop, R&B
Years active	2007–Present
Labels	Odd Future Records
Associated acts	Trash Talk, Casey Veggies
Website	oddfuture.com
Members
Tyler, The Creator Hodgy Beats Left Brain Earl Sweatshirt Domo Genesis Mike G Frank Ocean Syd tha Kyd Matt Martians Jasper Dolphin Taco Bennett L-Boy

OFWGKTA, often abbreviated Odd Future, is an American alternative hip hop collective from Los Angeles, California. The group is led by rapper/producer Tyler, The Creator, and includes rappers Hodgy Beats, Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis and Mike G, singer Frank Ocean, producers Left Brain, Syd tha Kyd, Matt Martians, and Hal Williams, and other non-musical members, notably Jasper Dolphin, Taco and L-Boy.

There are multiple groups inside the collective: The Jet Age of Tomorrow, EarlWolf, The Internet and MellowHype.

History[link]

2007–2009: Early career[link]

Odd Future formed in 2007 in Los Angeles. The original members were founder Tyler, the Creator, Left Brain, Hodgy Beats, and Tj Starr The Super 3, Jasper Dolphin and Casey Veggies, the latter of which appeared only on the group's debut mixtape before branching out to other projects. However Casey Veggies remains a close contributor. At some point before the release of Bastard, Brandun DeShay joined the group, and appeared on the track Session, but Tyler and DeShay had a falling out, and his vocals on Session were replaced by Mike G. Tyler also dissed DeShay on his track Yonkers. Much of their music is recorded in a room in Syd the Kyd's and Taco's house, known as the Trap, located in South Los Angeles.^[1] They have produced multiple releases, the first of which were available for free on their website.

2010: Rise to fame[link]

Since the release of his debut album, member Earl Sweatshirt has been absent from the group, but returned briefly before his eighteenth birthday, and started showing up to tours and interviews in the middle of March 2012. It was rumored that his mother sent him to an all boys boarding school for kids with drug issues and depression in Samoa.^[2][3][4]

The group completed a two-stop tour, their first outside of Los Angeles and in London, England, on November 5, 2010, and New York City on November 8. The concert at The Drop in London sold out within 48 hours of announcement by the group. At the highly anticipated show at Webster Hall in New York City, the venue was packed to its 300 person maximum capacity. Their concerts have frequently been compared to punk rock shows, with stagediving, moshing and antagonizing the crowd.^[5][6]

2011–present: Solo releases and TV show[link]

MellowHype recently re-released their album BlackenedWhite through Fat Possum records. Tyler, the Creator also signed a one album deal with XL Recordings and released his sophomore effort, Goblin, on May 10, 2011.

They have collected a cult following, and have been getting press from blogs as well as magazines.^[7] Though they are often labeled as horrorcore, the group has universally dismissed it on Twitter,^[8] in interviews,^[9] and on tracks such as "Sandwitches". Pitchfork Media has labeled the group as indie rap.^[10]

On February 18, 2011, two of Odd Future's members, Tyler and Hodgy Beats, performed "Sandwitches" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon with The Roots.^[11]

Odd Future performed "Yonkers" and "Sandwitches" on the mtvU Woodie Awards on March 16, 2011.

On April 5, 2011, MellowHype performed the song "64" on the Fuel TV program The Daily Habit with Bass Drum of Death.^[12] They along with Tyler the Creator also performed their song "65" for the BBC music showcase.^[13] A "clean" version of the song "Sandwitches"^[14] and the song "Analog" by Tyler the Creator was also performed for the same venue by Tyler and Hodgy Beats.^[15]

In April 2011, the group signed a deal with RED Distribution to start their own label, Odd Future Records.^[16] According to Tyler, Bastard will be re-released as a physical copy sometime in the future.^[17]

On August 2, 2011, Odd Future announced on their website the Golf Wang Tour 2011.^[18] The tour included 27 stops, beginning on September 28, 2011 in San Diego, California at the House of Blues.^[19]

On September 8, 2011, it was announced that Odd Future would be receiving a television show called Loiter Squad. The show is to be a sketch comedy show featuring various skits and pranks and originally aired on March 25, 2012 on Adult Swim. All though the show only features Tyler, Jasper, Taco, and Lionel.^[20][21]

On October 3, 2011, Tyler, The Creator tweeted a link to a iTunes with an album of 12 old Odd Future songs from artists within the group Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats, Mike G, and himself. Also, groups The Jet Age of Tomorrow, MellowHype, and The Internet had songs on the album. The album is simply named "12 Odd Future Songs", despite there being 13 songs including a brand new song from The Internet.

On March 20, 2012, the collective released their debut album, The OF Tape Vol. 2. The album is a sequel to the original mixtape, The Odd Future Tape.

Discography[link]

• The OF Tape Vol. 2 (2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• The Odd Future Tape (2008)
• Radical (2010)

Compilations[link]

• 12 Odd Future Songs (2011)

Awards and nominations[link]

O Music Awards

MTV2 Sucker Free Awards

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Christopher Breaux
Also known as	Christopher Francis Ocean, Lonny Breaux, Frank Ocean
Born	(1987-10-28) October 28, 1987 (age 24)[1] New Orleans, Louisiana
Genres	jazz R&B, Neo Soul, Alternative hip hop, hip hop soul[2]
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, rapper, musician, entertainer, vocalist
Instruments	Vocals, Keyboards,
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Odd Future Records, Island Def Jam
Associated acts	OFWGKTA, James Fauntleroy II, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Beyonce
Website	frankocean.com

Christopher Francis Ocean (born Christopher Breaux; October 28, 1987), better known by his stage name Frank Ocean, is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. Breaux made an early career as a ghost-writer for artists such as Justin Bieber, Bridget Kelly, Aramide Makinde and John Legend. In mid 2010 he became a member of OFWGKTA premiering on Domo Genesis' track, "SteamRoller". In February 2011, he released his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra to critical acclaim. He released two singles; "Novacane" and "Swim Good". Both singles achieved chart success. Ocean went on a 7 show tour through North America and Europe promoting the mixtape. He is currently located in New York City.

The mixtape caught the interest of recording artists such as Kanye West, Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z, and he appeared on Watch the Throne. He co-wrote the popular track "Thinking About You" for Bridget Kelly. On January 5, 2012, the BBC announced that he had finished in second place in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll.^[3] Ocean is currently working on his debut studio album, set to be released in the first half of 2012, while the same year he appeared at Coachella and he is scheduled to appear at Lollapalooza.

Biography[link]

2005–2010: Career beginnings[link]

Frank Ocean began his career with the producer duo The MIDI Mafia. Ocean joined Los Angeles-based hip hop collective OFWGKTA, whom he met through his connections, at the end of 2009.^[4][5] In late 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings as a solo artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company.^[5][6][7] In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher Breaux to Christopher Francis William Ocean via a legal website.^[5]

[edit] 2011–present: Nostalgia, Ultra and debut album

Ocean has written songs for Justin Bieber, John Legend, Brandy,^[5] and Beyoncé Knowles ("I Miss You" from the album 4),^[8][9] Ocean has also worked with Nas^[10] (on whose 10th studio album Ocean is expected to feature, along with fellow Odd Future members Tyler, the Creator and Hodgy Beats)^[11] and Pharrell Williams.^[12] On February 18, 2011, Ocean released his first mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, to critical acclaim.^[5][7] His music mostly focuses on interpersonal relationships, personal reflection and social commentary.^[5] NPR's Andrew Noz calls Ocean's songwriting "smart and subtle...setting him apart from the pack."^[13] Rolling Stone magazine's Jonah Weiner calls Ocean a "gifted avant-R&B smoothie".^[14] In an April 2011 interview, Ocean stated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape.^[4]

Ocean appeared in Tyler, the Creator's music video for the single "She", from Tyler's second studio album Goblin (2011).^[15][16] Ocean first performed with Odd Future at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in April 2011, then later joined his OFWGKTA bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. They toured the eastern seaboard of the United States.^[17] On May 19, 2011 Ocean's record label Def Jam announced its plans to re-release Nostalgia, Ultra as an EP.^[18] The single "Novacane" was released to iTunes on May 31, 2011, and the EP originally was set to be released on July 26, 2011, but through his Tumblr blog on July 24, he stated that it would not be released on that date.^[19][20] In June 2011, Ocean revealed on his Tumblr that he would be working on the upcoming Kanye West and Jay-Z collaborative album, Watch the Throne.^[21] Ocean was ultimately a writer and featured artist on the tracks "No Church in the Wild" and "Made in America".^[22][23] On July 28, 2011 a song titled "Thinking About You"^[24] was leaked on the internet. It was later revealed the song was a reference track and written for Roc Nation artist Bridget Kelly for her debut studio album.^[25] Kelly who has performed an acoustic version of the song, retitled the song "Thinking About Forever".^[26] However, on September 15, 2011, a music video directed by High5Collective for Ocean's version was released, yet the song appeared on Bridget Kelly's debut EP Every Girl.^[27] His debut album is set for a release on Def Jam Records in Spring 2012.^[28] On March 8, 2012, a re-mastered version of "Thinking About You" leaked, intended to be a single.^[29] On April 5, Ocean released the cover art for his upcoming debut studio album's lead single "Thinkin' Bout You", revealing the song would be released to digital retailers on April 10.^[30] "It succinctly defines me as an artist for where I am right now and that was the aim," he said of the follow-up to the acclaimed Nostalgia, Ultra. "It’s about the stories. If I write 14 stories that I love, then the next step is to get the environment of music around it to best envelop the story and all kinds of sonic goodness."^[30]

Ocean used the entire melody and chords of The Eagles' song "Hotel California", without permission, on his own song, “American Wedding.” When asked about it, Ocean stated that Eagles band member "Don Henley is apparently intimidated by my rendition of 'Hotel California'. He threatened to sue if I perform it again." In response to Ocean's comments, The Eagles released a statement: “Frank Ocean did not merely 'sample' a portion of the Eagles’ 'Hotel California,' he took the whole master track, plus the song’s existing melody, and replaced the lyrics with his own. This is not creative, let alone 'intimidating.' It’s illegal. For the record, Don Henley has not threatened or instituted any legal action against Frank Ocean, although the Eagles are now considering whether they should.”^[31] In early 2012, a suit was filed against Frank Ocean for the use of Hotel California.

In March 2012, Coldplay announced that Ocean would perform as an opening act for a number of shows on their European tour in July and August 2012.^[32]

Discography[link]

Collaborative albums[link]

• The OF Tape Vol. 2 (2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• Nostalgia, Ultra (2011)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

Hodgy Beats
Background information
Birth name	Gerard Damien Long
Also known as	Higashi Miyagi, Hype, Hodgy Long, Bodgy Heats, Hodgy Daddies
Born	(1990-11-09) November 9, 1990 (age 21) Trenton, New Jersey
Origin	Pasadena, California, United States
Genres	Alternative hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, Producer
Instruments	Vocals, Keyboards
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Odd Future Records, Fat Possum Records
Associated acts	Left Brain, OFWGKTA, MellowHype, Pusha T, M.E.D. Juicy J, Dat Nigga DeWayne Ward,
Website	http://www.hodgybeats.tumblr.com

Gerard Damien Long (born November 9, 1990), better known by his stage name Hodgy Beats, is an American rapper and producer. He is a member of the hip hop collective OFWGKTA as the duo MellowHype with Left Brain.

Biography[link]

Gerard Long was born in Trenton ,New Jersey, New Jersey, and was raised in Trenton, New Jersey. He is of African American and Filipino descent. At the age of eight, he moved to Southern California after his mom got married.^[1] He attended Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California.

On August 1, 2011, his long-time girlfriend Cortney Brown gave birth to their son, named Trenton.^[2]

Music career[link]

Hodgy Beats was an original member of OFWGKTA along with Tyler, the Creator, fellow MellowHype member Left Brain, The Super 3, Jasper Dolphin and Casey Veggies.

Hodgy was the first member of Odd Future to release a solo record, The Dena Tape, in 2009.

On April 5, 2011, MellowHype performed the song "64" on the Fuel TV program The Daily Habit with Bass Drum of Death.

Mellowhype also performed their song "65" for the BBC music showcase.^[3]

Hodgy Beats has been featured on various albums including Bastard, Goblin, Earl, Rolling Papers, and The OF Tape Vol. 2.

He recently worked on a song with Nas for his upcoming album 'Life Is Good'. Hodgy also worked on a song with Pusha T for his upcoming Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray, although it is not featured in the newly released track list. He also appeared on "Outta Control", a song from Stones Throw rapper M.E.D.'s album Classic, produced by fellow Los Angeles native Madlib.

Hodgy released "Untitled EP" on February, 24 2012; it contained 9 songs.^[4]

Hodgy made his television debut on Loiter Squad as an Aztec Warrior, in the ninth episode.

Discography[link]

Solo[link]

• The Dena Tape (2009)
• Untitled EP (2012)
• Rock/Slab (TBA)
• Damien (TBA)

With Left Brain (as Mellowhype)[link]

• YelloWhite (2010)
• BlackenedWhite (2011)
• Numbers (2012)

With OFWGKTA[link]

• The Odd Future Tape (2008)
• Radical (2010)
• 12 Odd Future Songs (2011)
• The Odd Future Tape Vol. 2 (2012)

References[link]