Earl Sweatshirt Net Worth: A Deep Dive into the Rapper’s Career and Finances

What is Earl Sweatshirt’s Net Worth?

Earl Sweatshirt, a prominent figure in the alternative hip-hop scene, has amassed a net worth of $4 million. This figure reflects his success as a rapper, songwriter, and a member of the influential hip-hop collective Odd Future. His career, marked by critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, has solidified his place in the music industry.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born Thebe Neruda Kgositsile in Chicago, Illinois, in 1994, Earl Sweatshirt’s upbringing was shaped by a diverse background. His mother, Cheryl Harris, is a respected UCLA School of Law professor, and his father, Keorapetse Kgositsile, was a South African political activist and poet. Growing up in Santa Monica, California, he attended New Roads High School and Middle School, later enrolling at the UCLA Lab School. Kgositsile’s journey into music began in seventh grade when he started rapping under the moniker Sly Tendencies, sharing his early tracks on MySpace. He formed the rap trio Backpackerz with friends, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.

“Earl” and the Samoan Hiatus

In 2009, Tyler, the Creator, recognized Kgositsile’s talent through MySpace and invited him to join Odd Future. The following year, Earl released his debut mixtape, “Earl,” which was largely produced by Tyler, the Creator and became available for free download on the Odd Future website. However, his burgeoning career took an unexpected turn when his mother sent him to Samoa. This decision, stemming from concerns about his behavior, led to a period of reflection at the Coral Reef Academy, a reform boarding school. During this time, he read Manning Marable’s biography on Malcolm X and wrote rhymes, which helped him focus on returning to the US. His manager, Leila Steinberg, facilitated his return in 2012.

Return to Music and Rise to Fame

Upon his return to the United States, Earl Sweatshirt immediately re-engaged with his musical career. He appeared on the track “Oldie” from Odd Future’s album, “The OF Tape Vol. 2.” Subsequently, he established his own record label imprint, Tan Cressida, distributed through Columbia Records, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. He collaborated with several artists, including Frank Ocean on “Super Rich Kids,” Domo Genesis & The Alchemist on “Elimination Chamber,” Flying Lotus on “Between Friends,” and MellowHype on “P2.” In November 2012, he released “Chum,” his first solo single since returning from Samoa, signaling a new chapter in his career.

In 2013, Earl’s debut studio album, “Doris,” was released to critical acclaim, further establishing his name. The album featured collaborations with Odd Future members like Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean, as well as notable artists such as RZA, Vince Staples, Mac Miller, and Casey Veggies. “Doris” achieved significant commercial success, debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200 and topping the Top Rap Albums chart, proving his ability to resonate with a broad audience. This album marked a turning point in his career, solidifying his position as a leading figure in contemporary hip-hop.

(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Further Music Successes

Building upon the success of “Doris,” Earl continued to release new music. Leading up to his second album, he dropped tracks like “45,” “Quest/Power,” and “silenceDArapgame,” the latter featuring pro skateboarder Nakel Smith. His second album, “I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside,” was released in March 2015, debuting at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and further expanding his fanbase. The album featured guests such as Vince Staples, Na-Kel, Dash, and Wiki, and included songs like “Grief,” “Off Top,” and “Wool.” Following this release, he also released a ten-minute track called “Solace” on YouTube, which quickly garnered over 100,000 views within 24 hours, showcasing his continued relevance and impact on the music scene.

In 2016, Earl released tracks like “Wind in My Sails,” “Bary,” and “Skrt Skrt” on SoundCloud. He was also featured on Samiyam’s fourth album, “Animals Have Feelings.” That summer, he released an instrumental track, “Pelicula,” and a new track called “Death Whistles” on Red Bull Music Academy. In 2018, Earl released singles “Nowhere2go” and “The Mint,” teasing his third studio album. Subsequently, he released the critically acclaimed album “Some Rap Songs,” solidifying his artistic evolution. In 2019, he released the EP “Feet of Clay,” which was well received by critics and further demonstrated his versatility and continued commitment to pushing boundaries.

Influences

Earl Sweatshirt’s musical style and lyrical depth have been shaped by a variety of artists. His influences include prominent figures in hip-hop like Eminem, Jay Z, RZA, MF DOOM, Cam’Ron, and Kanye West. He’s also cited inspiration from more contemporary hip hop acts such as Billy Woods and MIKE. These influences contribute to the complex layers of his music, which explores themes of introspection, personal struggles, and social commentary.

Personal Life

Earl Sweatshirt resides in the Mid-City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. He has navigated his personal beliefs, including a period of atheism followed by a return to Nichiren Buddhism, the faith he was raised with during his childhood. His dating history includes a brief relationship with model Mallory Llewellyn and a subsequent relationship with model Kinda Salty, which ended due to infidelity suspicions. In July 2021, he revealed on Twitter that he has a son, adding a new dimension to his personal life and reflecting the evolving journey of his identity.