In November 2008, the group released their debut mixtape, The Odd Future Tape (now sometimes called The Odd Future Tape Vol. 1), as a free download via the collective's official blog. The tape was recorded with nothing more than a computer camera microphone, and featured some tracks that would later make it onto Tyler, The Creator's debut LP, Bastard. The Radical mixtape was released in 2010, which featured all of the group's original members (save for Casey Veggies, who had left the group) as well as new contributors Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis, Mike G, and Taco Bennett rapping over a collection of their favorite beats. On October 3, 2011, the group released a compilation album entitled 12 Odd Future Songs (which actually contains 13 songs), featuring select tracks from some of the many solo and sub-group albums released by Odd Future members that are frequently performed live, as well as a new track by The Internet. The OF Tape Vol. 2, Odd Future's debut collaborative LP and the follow up to their first mixtape, was released on March 20, 2012 via Odd Future Records.
Known Current Members:
Tyler, The Creator
Hodgy BeatsLeft Brain
Matt Martians
Hal Williams (Pyramid Vritra)
Earl Sweatshirt
Domo Genesis
Mike G
Frank Ocean
Jasper Dolphin
Taco Bennett
Known Former Members:
Casey Veggies
brandUn DeShay
Syd
Sub-Groups:
MellowHype: Hodgy Beats and Left Brain
EarlWolf: Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt
The Jet Age of Tomorrow / The Super 3: Matt Martian and Hal Williams
I Smell Panties: Tyler, The Creator and Jasper Dolphin
The Internet: Syd Tha Kid and Matt Martian
MellowHigh: Domo Genesis and Hodgy Beats
In addition to artists, there are an unknown number of other members of Odd Future that do not contribute musically.
Forest Green
OFWGKTA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow the leader, bad senoritas in two seater's
She loves green, that's money, Mary Jane and Margaritas
The way it seems, the streets be looking at me like a teacher
They hounding me, like desperate rappers waiting for a feature
I ain't saying I don't need you, I'm saying let's keep the pace
Should be back at your place, just being patient with your feet up
They say he's so chill, how does he show no stress?
Seeing all of these steps that he's taking
You're mistaken if they say we ain't so complex
I'm tryna be in a blue coupe, you can't pronounce the name
With a bad yellow bitch and she's singing Purple Rain, so insane
[Hook:]
And people talking down on me, I don't really think they should
They said they could do it better, I don't really think they could
I ain't one for niggas wishes, but I wish a nigga would
This ain't as easy as it looks, I just make it look good
[Verse 2:]
If it's politics, we're the presidents so presence serves a purpose
It's obvious that we're evidence, you're paying for a service
And I feel, you always think you're less than what you can be
What does it mean if I think I'm the one these niggas can't see?
Gang mentality, Odd Future is a family
My niggas thrash, I was always Anti, Plan-B
Did I lose you? I know I'm much more than you're used to
Now I got these girls stepping out from their usual
So they tune in, T.I., see I, realize I'm a stand up guy
And these niggas realize they can't stand to see me on TV
So they lose their footing like they were gluttons with diabetes
But fuck the bullshit, I'm just tryna get rich
With my middle fingers up screaming swag me out bitch
Black kid on the corner selling drugs, go figure
Salute them with 21 guns, I'm killing these niggas
Uhh, bitch
Oh, and Free Earl mothafucka
[Hook:]
And people talking down on me, I don't really think they should
They said they could do it better, I don't really think they could
I ain't one for niggas wishes, but I wish a nigga would
This ain't as easy as it looks, I just make it look good
"Forest Green" by OFWGKTA is a song that talks about the band's rise to fame and the criticism they faced along the way. The lyrics in the first verse talk about girls that love the finer things in life, including money, marijuana, and Margaritas. The writer paints a picture of himself as someone who is being followed by the streets, with fans always hounding him for a feature. He talks about the difficulty of fame, and how people would assume that he is always chill and never stressed.
The chorus is a statement from the writer, as they talk about people talking down on them and how they don't think they should. The writer is very sure of themselves and doesn't believe people can do better than them. In the second verse, they talk about how Odd Future is a gang-like family, and they are the presidents of the music industry. They talk about how they want people to realize that they are much more than what they are used to. The writer paints a picture of black kids selling drugs on the streets, but they should be saluted for their hustle by saying they deserve a 21-gun salute.
Overall, the song is a reflection of OFWGKTA's rise to fame and what they had to go through to get there. The song is a shout-out to their fans and a message to their critics that they are here to stay.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow the leader, bad senoritas in two seater's
I'm leading the way with my cool car, and I'm accompanied by beautiful women
She loves green, that's money, Mary Jane and Margaritas
My female companion enjoys wealth, weed, and cocktails
The way it seems, the streets be looking at me like a teacher
People view me as a knowledgeable authority figure
They hounding me, like desperate rappers waiting for a feature
People are constantly clamoring for my attention, just like musicians asking for collaborations
I ain't saying I don't need you, I'm saying let's keep the pace
I appreciate your presence, but let's not rush things
Should be back at your place, just being patient with your feet up
We should relax at your home, taking it easy
They say he's so chill, how does he show no stress?
People wonder how I can be so calm and collected under pressure
He can't see into the future, how does he know what's next?
Despite not having clairvoyance, I possess great foresight
Seeing all of these steps that he's taking
Observing the progress I'm making
You're mistaken if they say we ain't so complex
Don't be misled, we're more intricate than people think
I'm tryna be in a blue coupe, you can't pronounce the name
I aspire to drive an expensive foreign car
With a bad yellow bitch and she's singing Purple Rain, so insane
Accompanied by a beautiful woman singing a Prince classic
And people talking down on me, I don't really think they should
I don't believe people should speak poorly of me
They said they could do it better, I don't really think they could
Doubters claim they are more capable than me, but I disagree
I ain't one for niggas wishes, but I wish a nigga would
I'm not one for listening to others' opinions, but I want someone to try me
This ain't as easy as it looks, I just make it look good
It's not effortless, but I make it seem so
If it's politics, we're the presidents so presence serves a purpose
We have significant influence in this industry, and our presence is impactful
It's obvious that we're evidence, you're paying for a service
It's evident that we provide value and people are willing to pay for it
And I feel, you always think you're less than what you can be
I sense that you underestimate your potential
What does it mean if I think I'm the one these niggas can't see?
Is it significant that I believe I am underestimated by others?
Gang mentality, Odd Future is a family
We are a close group and operate like a gang
My niggas thrash, I was always Anti, Plan-B
My associates are wild, but I've always been cautious and have backup plans
Did I lose you? I know I'm much more than you're used to
Did you get lost in my thoughts? I realize I am not what you're typically exposed to
Now I got these girls stepping out from their usual
I have women stepping out of their comfort zones because of me
So they tune in, T.I., see I, realize I'm a stand up guy
They pay attention to me, see my values, and recognize I am honorable
And these niggas realize they can't stand to see me on TV
My competitors feel threatened by my media exposure
So they lose their footing like they were gluttons with diabetes
They become unsteady and reckless, like someone with a sugar addiction
But fuck the bullshit, I'm just tryna get rich
I don't have time for distractions, I'm focused on becoming wealthy
With my middle fingers up screaming swag me out bitch
I proudly exhibit my confidence and unique style
Black kid on the corner selling drugs, go figure
I'm a minority selling drugs, no surprise there
Salute them with 21 guns, I'm killing these niggas
I praise and recognize my drug dealing associates, while also making a metaphorical statement about killing the competition
Contributed by Ethan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.