The world of hip-hop has produced many stars, but few are as enigmatic and influential as Earl Sweatshirt. Emerging from the vibrant Los Angeles rap scene as part of the Odd Future collective, Earl quickly carved out a niche with his raw lyrics and distinctive style. As his career progressed, he transitioned from underground sensation to mainstream success. But how much is Earl Sweatshirt net worth today?
Let’s dive into his financial journey and explore the factors that have contributed to his net worth.
What is Earl Sweatshirt Net Worth?
Earl Sweatshirt, an influential American rapper and songwriter, boasts a net worth of $4 million. He gained prominence in 2010 with his debut mixtape Earl and has since released several critically acclaimed albums, including Doris, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, and Some Rap Songs. Earl was also a key member of the alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future, founded in 2007 by Tyler, the Creator, and other notable artists.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Thebe Neruda Kgositsile in 1994 in Chicago, Illinois, Earl Sweatshirt was raised in a family rich in academic and artistic influence. His mother, Cheryl Harris, is a distinguished professor at the UCLA School of Law, while his father, Keorapetse Kgositsile, was a celebrated South African poet and political activist. Earl also has a brother named Randy.
After his parents separated when he was eight, Earl moved to Los Angeles, where he attended New Roads High School and Middle School in Santa Monica, California. Upon graduation, he enrolled at the UCLA Lab School.
The Mixtape “Earl” and the Samoan Hiatus
In 2009, Earl Sweatshirt, whose real name is Thebe Kgositsile, was discovered by rapper Tyler, the Creator on MySpace. Tyler invited Earl to join the Odd Future hip-hop collective, marking a pivotal moment in his career. The following year, Earl released his debut mixtape, Earl, which was made available for free digital download on the Odd Future website. Most of the tracks on this mixtape were produced by Tyler, the Creator, showcasing Earl’s raw talent and unique style.
However, shortly after the release of Earl, Kgositsile’s mother decided to send him to Samoa due to concerns about his drug use and troublesome behavior. In Samoa, he attended the Coral Reef Academy, a reform school for at-risk boys. During his time there, Earl read Manning Marable’s biography of Malcolm X and wrote numerous rhymes as he worked to regain his place in the music world. His manager, Leila Steinberg, eventually facilitated his return to the United States in 2012.
Return to Music
Upon returning to the U.S., Earl Sweatshirt made a notable appearance on the track “Oldie” from Odd Future’s debut album, The OF Tape Vol. 2. He then went on to establish his own record label imprint, Tan Cressida, which was distributed through Columbia Records. Earl continued to collaborate with various artists, featuring on Frank Ocean’s song “Super Rich Kids” from his debut album and appearing on “Elimination Chamber,” the first official single by Domo Genesis & The Alchemist. He also featured on Flying Lotus’s track “Between Friends” and the MellowHype song “P2.”
In November 2012, Earl released his first solo single since returning from Samoa, titled “Chum.” In August 2013, he dropped his debut studio album, Doris, featuring guest appearances from Odd Future members Domo Genesis, Tyler, the Creator, and Frank Ocean, as well as contributions from RZA, Vince Staples, Mac Miller, and Casey Veggies. Doris was both a critical and commercial triumph, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200 and securing the top spot on the Top Rap Albums chart.
Earl began his rapping journey in seventh grade, adopting the moniker Sly Tendencies. He showcased his early work on MySpace, where he shared tracks from his mixtape. Together with friends JW Mijo and Loofy, he formed a rap trio known as the Backpackerz, marking the start of his musical career.
Continued Musical Success
Leading up to his second album in 2015, Earl Sweatshirt, born Thebe Kgositsile, released several tracks, including “45,” “Quest/Power,” and “silenceDArapgame,” the latter featuring pro skateboarder Nakel Smith. In March 2015, he released his album I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, which debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200. The album featured collaborations with artists like Vince Staples, Na-Kel, Dash, and Wiki, and included tracks such as “Grief,” “Off Top,” and “Wool.” Following this release, Earl uploaded a ten-minute track called “Solace” on YouTube, which garnered over 100,000 views within 24 hours.
In early 2016, he released the tracks “Wind in My Sails,” “Bary,” and “Skrt Skrt” on SoundCloud. Later, Earl was featured on Samiyam’s fourth album, Animals Have Feelings. That summer, he dropped an instrumental track titled “Pelicula” and a new song called “Death Whistles” during a livestream on Red Bull Music Academy. In 2018, Earl teased his third studio album with the release of singles “Nowhere2go” and “The Mint.” He followed up with the album Some Rap Songs, which received widespread critical acclaim. The following year, he released an EP titled Feet of Clay.
Artistic Influences
Earl Sweatshirt’s music has been influenced by a variety of artists, including Eminem, Jay-Z, RZA, MF DOOM, Cam’ron, and Kanye West. He also draws inspiration from hip-hop acts such as Billy Woods and MIKE, incorporating elements of their styles into his unique sound.
Personal Life
Earl resides in the Mid-City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. After exploring atheism for a time, he returned to Nichiren Buddhism, the faith of his childhood. Earl previously dated model Mallory Llewellyn and was later linked to model Kinda Salty, who reportedly ended their relationship due to suspicions of infidelity. In July 2021, Earl revealed on Twitter that he has a son.
FAQ’s
What is Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth?
Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million. His wealth comes from his successful music career, including album sales, streaming revenue, live performances, and merchandise.
How did Earl Sweatshirt make his money?
Earl Sweatshirt made his money through his career as a rapper and songwriter. He gained fame with his debut mixtape Earl and released successful albums like Doris, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, and Some Rap Songs. Earl also earns from touring and merchandise sales.
What are the main sources of Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth?
The main sources of Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth include album and streaming sales, income from live performances, and merchandise sales. He has also benefited from collaborations with other artists.
How has Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth grown over time?
Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth has grown as he transitioned from a member of the Odd Future collective to a successful solo artist. His critically acclaimed albums and consistent touring have contributed to his financial success.
What are some notable achievements contributing to Earl Sweatshirt’s net worth?
Notable achievements include the release of his debut mixtape Earl, his studio albums like Doris and Some Rap Songs, and collaborations with artists such as Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator. These accomplishments have solidified his place in the hip-hop industry and contributed to his net worth.
