Even putting aside Earl's precociousness, his virtuosity as a lyricist is stunning. His unmistakable deep, husky voice spits out rhyme after rhyme, his words an avalanche of tumbling metaphors and cultural references. Although some parents may be terrified of the often-shocking content of his songs, it's impossible not to marvel at the depth of his poetry and his ability to connect with angst-ridden teenagers bored with high school life. There's a true profundity here that is easily lost in all the rape and murder posturing, a sensitive kid who's clearly disillusioned with life and love: "She's gorgeous, when n----s see it, jaws hit the floor / so when she left, it didn't break my heart, it broke my torso / Making my eyes ache, stalking her MySpace / Posted a new pic, I mean it when I say that I f--king hate you, but / maybe if you looked in this direction / I'd pick my heart off the floor and put it in my chest then feel the f---king life, rushing through my body / but you got a guy, it's not me, so my wrist is looking sloppy." Since this tape was released in 2010, Sweatshirt has matured and improved immeasurably as an artist (and even a role model), with his studio album debut, 2013's Doris, providing a more adult window into a complex and creative mind.