Released: 2021 • Features: Earl Sweatshirt
Right out the gate, “Loose Change” by The Alchemist featuring Earl Sweatshirt presents a narrative about struggle, triumph, and self-edification. It’s a calculated mix of deft wordplay, salient sentiments, and emotive storytelling. Earl Sweatshirt comes to the forefront, articulating his experiences as he navigates the intersecting landscapes of personal growth and societal expectations.
The song begins with Earl stating, “You be with the boys and I’ma be with the dawgs,” which suggests an assertion of individuality and a refusal to conform to the mainstream. The phrase “Blood on the Travies” likely references travies, a term that could mean travails or difficulties, signifying the hardships he’s had to face and overcome. When he proclaims, “I’m the voice,” Earl takes upon the mantle of representing and speaking for his community.
In the following lines, Earl talks about his hunger for knowledge, a result of his mother encouraging him to read (“Mama made her son read”). This thirst and curiosity didn’t completely satiate him, pushing him to explore further (“I had to get a feel for the whole thing”) beyond set boundaries. With lines like “speaking on what I absorb” and “I found a different route to explore,” he emphasizes his willingness to learn from experiences and grow on his own terms.
Earl then vividly recounts his battles with grief, likening it to fire that destroyed everything but left ashes and memories. He further suggests his readiness to move forward with the lines “feather feet behind / And ahead of the beat.” The phrase “nickel and diming” is a colloquial term that represents scraping by or hustling to make ends meet, and his usage of the phrase suggests his struggle to achieve success.
The track ends with a rather cryptic phrase “pretty penny, you my luckiest find, skin copper / Titties bouncing.” These lines could represent a feminine figure possibly bringing him love, luck, or financial gain (“pretty penny”). The artist’s plea for “a generous slice” could denote an appeal for shared success or fortune.
Overall, “Loose Change” is a hauntingly cerebral track that digs deep into Earl’s experiences and perspectives. It balances introspective lyricism with vivid narrative storytelling, providing a memorable snapshot of the artist’s journey towards self-empowerment and identity formation.
