74
Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You like Amar'e Stoudemire with dreads
Bobbleheads, chatterboxes flappin' but I got a lot 'em fed
Common head cold-level, minor setbacks, minor threats
To blockin' it's kinda Steph, step back
Ya shit is not knockin' like the feds
Don't get your head cracked lackin' common sense
On a whim I felt it, in mi casa you don't got no wins
Just to match the losses I don't have in your gym
Opposites attract opulence, the mud wouldn't stick
The sun make it so my soul's crumblin'
They dug it when they was young
More than one hole in one with no mulligan
Sellin' kids culture with death, circlin' like carrion
The more the merrier, phone got you livin' vicarious
Ice melting 'cause it's so hot

The veil lifts, the pain salient
Niggas started choppin' at the road blocks
As far as tracks, we goin' off
Brought the stroganoff beef, holy war
You know it's not unique to your boy at all
It's comin' out the teeth
Streets flooded like the pants weren't touchin' the sneak
They rain dancin' on this, no, they stomp
On all accounts, paid the cost to see this far
I'm not on board with the board you try and lead me on
I'm pullin' strings, it's time to let me off
The cook'll send you
Protect your neck and don't forget the heart
We upper echelon with it, that's what they're checkin' for
I'll give a fed a conch fritter
I'm duckin' when the quiver launch missiles in the dark




Miss me with the glib remarks, switch hitta
Keep the innings long, nigga

Overall Meaning

In "74", Earl Sweatshirt and Maxo explore their perspectives on the state of the rap game and their personal struggles. Earl's verse opens with a comparison to retired NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire, specifically with regards to his hairstyle. He then moves on to describe his own situation, acknowledging the minor setbacks and threats that he faces while confidently distancing himself from others in the rap world. Earl brags about his skills on the mic, likening himself to basketball star Stephen Curry, and calls out those who lack common sense.


He contrasts his own success with the struggles of others and ponders the nature of attraction and wealth. As the song progresses, he touches on topics of death and the commodification of black culture. He ends with a warning to those who try to control him and a nod to his own skill in his craft.


Line by Line Meaning

You like Amar'e Stoudemire with dreads
You're drawn to a certain image, like Amar'e Stoudemire with dreads.


Bobbleheads, chatterboxes flappin' but I got a lot 'em fed
While others may be distracted and chatty, I am focused and productive.


Common head cold-level, minor setbacks, minor threats
Setbacks and obstacles may arise, but they are minor and manageable, like a common cold.


To blockin' it's kinda Steph, step back
From a defensive standpoint, I am like Steph Curry - able to block and prevent attacks.


Ya shit is not knockin' like the feds
Your impact and influence is weak and ineffective, similar to the lack of power the federal government may have in certain situations.


Don't get your head cracked lackin' common sense
Use your common sense and don't get yourself into trouble or danger.


On a whim I felt it, in mi casa you don't got no wins
I have a feeling that something is wrong, and in my home, you haven't achieved any victories or success.


Just to match the losses I don't have in your gym
Even without any losses on my part, I am still equal to the lack of success you may have in your own space.


Opposites attract opulence, the mud wouldn't stick
Despite having different backgrounds, we are both drawn to luxury and wealth, similar to how dirt doesn't stick to opulent surfaces.


The sun make it so my soul's crumblin'
The intensity and pressure of success can cause me to feel overwhelmed and weakened.


They dug it when they was young
People were interested in my success and potential when I was younger.


More than one hole in one with no mulligan
I have achieved a great level of success without needing to redo any attempts.


Sellin' kids culture with death, circlin' like carrion
The popular culture being marketed to young people is often focused on violence and morbidity, similar to carrion birds circling their prey.


The more the merrier, phone got you livin' vicarious
People are more likely to become interested in something popular when more people are involved, and they often experience it through their phones and social media.


Ice melting 'cause it's so hot
The heat and intensity of life is causing things to change and evolve, similar to ice melting under intense heat.


The veil lifts, the pain salient
As I become more aware of the world, I am realizing the true struggles and pain that exist.


Niggas started choppin' at the road blocks
When faced with obstacles, people begin to take action and chip away until they break through.


As far as tracks, we goin' off
In the context of music, we are trying new and innovative things, going off the traditional track.


Brought the stroganoff beef, holy war
We have brought our all into this situation, even to the point of it being a holy war for us.


You know it's not unique to your boy at all
What we are experiencing and achieving is not unique to just me - others could achieve it too.


It's comin' out the teeth
The truth and facts are being revealed, almost as though being spoken by teeth.


Streets flooded like the pants weren't touchin' the sneak
The streets are full and overflowing, almost like the shoes people wear aren't touching the ground.


They rain dancin' on this, no, they stomp
People are celebrating and expressing their joy in a wild and intense manner.


On all accounts, paid the cost to see this far
We have put in a lot of effort, sacrifice, and hard work to make it this far.


I'm not on board with the board you try and lead me on
I am skeptical and not in agreement with your leadership and guidance.


I'm pullin' strings, it's time to let me off
I have control and power in this situation, and it's time for me to remove myself from it.


The cook'll send you
I will have someone who is skilled and able to take care of you.


Protect your neck and don't forget the heart
In the midst of challenges, it's important to stay guarded and protect yourself (both physically and emotionally).


We upper echelon with it, that's what they're checkin' for
We are part of the upper class and elite group that people are interested in.


I'll give a fed a conch fritter
I will share my success and wealth even with those in power (like a federal agent), even though they may not deserve it.


I'm duckin' when the quiver launch missiles in the dark
I am avoiding danger and staying cautious when faced with unexpected and hidden attacks.


Miss me with the glib remarks, switch hitta
Don't try to fool me or manipulate me with your slick words, as I am able to easily switch and adapt to new situations.


Keep the innings long, nigga
Stay focused and perseverant, as success will come with time and long-term effort.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thebe Kgositsile

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@clay6765

You had a heavy influence on my writing style, I mostly write poems. Maybe cool for you to know you've probably inspired many younger people to write with a deep introspective nature. Your songs about losing your Grandma connected to similar feelings I have about losing both my parents. The way you convey feelings through words will be something I strive for always.
Here it is-

I think it's time to come recognize monsters
I'm restless in soul
It easy to gloss off what truly matters I think the
Faucet was left on
The water is in the background I can hear the drain sporadically slurpin in
I think I've done my self in
There's a pain I can't speak of I'm afraid of dying so I can't live
Will someone turn the water off I'm leaving the stove on until it warms up
My flesh is cold I know the early warnings but this winter takes a bite of me
a closeted moron
I'm left on repetition
I've got a reputation
The stoves still on and I'm closing in on my feelings
I'm heating up to feverish dreams the clovers in my field of sight turn ogreish one night
attempting to sweat a demon in but I only take in fear
There were some words here
My tongue is looking for them
They left me
If I could explain how I felt this would be a hell of a lot easier than this banter back and forth in the ether of my head
I think I'm heading towards my death
There's bullet holes in my mother's head
I close my eyes and there's a hunger that can't be fed
I'm fuckin hungry
I act like this shit really ain't that bad, the fuck do I have to be crying about I see my father
you better get up and go to try outs
This is my house
Locking the doors I check twice drink three beers to get my head right
in a labyrinth like this you can never turn right
leaving on the night light as a beacon to find home
I'm begging a god to keep me honed
I'm weak
I am fascinated with silhouettes I keep traced lines around the ones that watch me the shadows roll heads
There's some dark twisted rotting roots in my chest
Spores taking bites out of my neck
Stay laconic
I remember my walk home
I keep myself locked I suffer from Stockholm I like to suffer
I use my addiction as a buffer no forecast for a predictable one last



All comments from YouTube:

@lilnya9320

alot of people make fun of earl for being a “poet that talks over beats” but i really like this style of rapping

@jericocortes7289

They don’t know about rap

@CraftedClips21

its a cry for help

@tredhakidd2012

Those are people that just listen for the beat

@xav555

@Tre Johnson it’s not an insult though lmao

@kakuja77_

I personally love the fact that he pretty much is a poet that talks over beats. It's obviously more complicated than that, and I LOVE his production and as a producer I study the fuck out of it, but his style is amazing. It just depends on what you're looking for in music.

4 More Replies...

@alexmaur8817

I love the blade sharpening sample at the end. Such a dope way to be like "yeah that flow was nothin"

@gc033

“Phone got you livin’ vicarious”

@billyscante299

Earl Sweatshirts craftsmanship is far more intelligent, than most people can even comprehend... Earl encrypts his music with subliminal messages, energy, vibrations & different vocabulary from different languages.
The level of his consciousness makes me jealous...
I can't wait to be there. Mentally, Cosmically, Spiritually , interdemensionally , Connected with the bigger picture 🙏

@xankie3336

Best song off the album 🔥

More Comments

More Versions