How Odd Future's Jimmy Fallon Debut Brought Tumblr Energy To The Mainstream
Questlove and Fallon recall the unforgettable 2011 late-night TV debut by the L.A. rap rebels
Luke Winkie, provided by
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Ten years ago, the members of Odd Future wore balaclavas with sharpied inverted crosses on them for an appearance on network television. Tyler, the Creator was 19 years old, Hodgy Beats about 16 months older, and Earl Sweatshirt was still sequestered in Samoa. They took the soundstage of
Late Night With Jimmy Fallonon February 16th, 2011 — backed by three members of the Roots and a girl dressed in full
Ring make-up — and begrudgingly censored the many indecencies that appear in their early deep-cut “Sandwitches.” (“Not Dom, but if I was a Dahm I would be Jeffrey” somehow did slip past the FCC.) For a generation weaned on the blog era, the set was an instant classic, on par with Elvis Costello on SNL or the Foo Fighters on Letterman. Tyler mean-mugged Felicia Day and jumped on Jimmy Fallon’s back; the show ended with Mos Def hopping in the frame to scream his head off like a 14-year-old in the throes of Beatlemania. A few months later, Odd Future would sign with Sony and film collaborations with Pusha T. The kids from Tumblr had made it big.