Bria Vaughn
Staff Writer
On a late rainy night, while doing EVR1001 homework, I was scrolling through Spotify (procrastinating) searching for *The Perfect Playlist*. I ended up just going to my liked songs playlist, pressed shuffle and vowed to let the Spotify Shuffle gods work their magic. After about 30 minutes of the most glorious, genre-bending gallimaufry of songs, “Roger That” by Young Money came on, and then “Analog 2” by Odd Future immediately followed, well they faded into each other (seven-second crossfade, if you know, you know.) That led me to ponder… “Who is better? YMCMB (Young Money) or OFWGKTA (Odd Future)?”
In true anthropological fashion, I was curious about other people’s thoughts. So, in true Gen Z fashion, I made a poll on Instagram! It was a simple poll, with no questions, just “YMCMB” for option one and “OFWGKTA” for option two. I hypothesized Young Money would win, I mean they have Drake and Nicki Minaj! Two of the biggest stars of the 2010s with two of the most intense stars of modern times! Compare that to Odd Future, the “weird guys” who debuted eating cockroaches in music videos. Well, I was blown away when YMCMB lost by a landslide! The results were 74% in favor of OFWGKTA and 26% in favor of YMCMB. These results led me down a rabbit hole wondering who would win in a “2010s Best Rap Supergroup” poll.
I finished my homework, closed my laptop, opened my notes app then started jotting down a list of the best rap collectives of the 2010s. This poll was not only going to be a contest of musical greatness and impact, but a space for hip-hop fans to reminisce, feel belonging, and have fun. It is also worth noting, that a “rap supergroup” has become synonymous with “members on a record label,” often conflating the two.
Rap supergroups of the 2010s are prime examples of how music can serve as a space for the articulation of cultural values, community identity, and resistance to social norms. These groups have created more than just a few good songs to sing and dance to they have created cultural institutions representing the intersection of race, class, and regional identity. They embody collective memories, shared experiences, and often challenge prevailing ideas of race, masculinity, success, and rebellion in a country where rap music has been kidnapped, colonized, perverted, and then had a caricature made of its essence to be sold and shipped overseas and used sacrilegiously. Then again, true rap music, in its purest form, is art. And art is constantly evolving.
Let’s look at Young Money (YMCMB), the Young Money Cash Money Billionaires. Created in 2005 and led by Lil Wayne, the group served as a platform to mold and showcase artists whose individual successes would lead them to worldwide superstardom- Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga. Young Money represents commercial dominance, with a song from the collective that peaked at number 2 on the Billboard charts and winning “Best Group” at the 2014 BET Awards. Their individual successes speak volumes: over 14 number one albums, over 20 number one songs, and winning over 500 awards, including 10 Grammys. However, their decline in the latter half of the decade (see Drake getting booed off stage at Odd Future’s Camp Flog Gnaw in 2019 [yes, I was there, no I did not boo]) and their ever-increasing criminal allegations most likely contributed to their early exit from the poll.
One of my mutuals, Offthe.woods, highlighted this when they said, “Honestly, I think [Young Money losing is] recency bias since so little of Young Money is still around. But like Wayne in his prime, has anyone had such a perfect mixtape run?”
On the other hand, Odd Future (OFWGKTA), created by Tyler, the Creator in 2007 emerged from Los Angeles and epitomized the DIY ethos of the 2010s. Tyler, the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, and Syd (among others) represented an art collective, rather than a rap collective. They blurred the lines between rap, skate culture, and shock media. Although the collective disbanded in 2015, members have gone on to win a variety of awards including 5 Grammys and an Emmy nomination. Their non-conformist approach and countercultural aesthetics attracted a different kind of fanbase- one that celebrated individuality and oddity. Not only was this art collective gifted in creativity, but they also had outwardly queer, gay, and lesbian members, embracing identities that are otherwise condemned within the rap and hip-hop community. They proved themselves as an art collective by branching out into television and fashion. Notably with their Adult Swim feature, Loiter Squad and former member Lionel Boyce (L-Boy) playing a major role in the 20x Emmy-winning drama, The Bear, and leader Tyler, the Creator with his three clothing brands: Odd Future, GOLF WANG, and luxury brand: Golf le Fleur, as well as designing the Louis Vuitton Spring 2024 Men’s Capsule Collection by Tyler, the Creator. Even with their impressive accolades, some would say Odd Future is still considered “underground” today.
Despite the disparity in commercial success, Odd Future’s influence is undeniable. They weren’t just making outlandish music, silly shirts, and slapstick TV shows- they were building a subculture. As humble_anthropologist remarked, “Gotta think about the artist that came out of OF. YMCMB has Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj, but the rest were a flop.”
With the initial and unexpected success of the YMCMB vs. Odd Future poll, I knew I had to expand it. I compiled a bracket of 16 (turned 21) of the most influential rap groups of the 2010s. The matchups were intense, and so were the opinions. Several of my followers expressed difficulty in choosing between their favorite collectives. One mutual, thatflwater, exclaimed, “I couldn’t choose [crying emojis] some of these are too hard,” especially when it came to matchups like Pro Era and Black Hippy.
Despite some efforts to add surprise third options such as Quality Control, CMG, 1738 Remy Boyz, and Members Only in the quarterfinals to create more balanced matchups, it was futile—many of the winning groups dominated with landslide victories. For example, GOOD Music, Kanye West’s genre-defying label, blew past Rich Gang and CMG at 57% without breaking a sweat. The same was true for Black Hippy, A$AP Mob, and Odd Future, all winning their respective matchups with surprising ease.
This poll ended up being more than just a fun way to pass the time; it reflected how deeply these groups have embedded themselves into the cultural consciousness of the 2010s. GOOD Music, for instance, headquartered in Chicago and led by Kanye West, was more than just a label—it was a creative movement that spanned rap, fashion, and visual art. Kanye, along with artists like Pusha T, Kid Cudi, and Big Sean, expanded rap as a genre with experimental production, groundbreaking melodies, and lyrics that are so quotable that we still use them today.
Kendrick Lamar’s Black Hippy (TDE), based in Los Angeles, kept the West Coast in the game until the semifinals. While Kendrick’s star power is unmatched (I mean, he is headlining the 2024 Super Bowl), the group’s quartet, with Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul, gave voice to the struggles and triumphs of life in Compton and were not afraid to lyrically tackle racially charged issues.
One contender that stood out to me was Lil B’s Task Force, the only “group” represented by a single individual. Lil B “The BasedGod” known for his positivity, eccentric persona, and social media presence has built a cult-like following. His inclusion in the poll speaks volumes about how fandoms in hip-hop can sometimes transcend traditional group dynamics, showing the importance of the listener in relational dynamics concerning music.
It is time to answer the question: Who is the best rap supergroup of the 2010s? The final two contenders were Tyler, the Creator’s OFWGTKA and Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music. For my Gen Z counterparts, it all boiled down to the rappers that raised us (G.O.O.D. Music) and the rappers who are us (OFWGKTA). The people’s champ is *drumroll please* G.O.O.D. Music. For over 12 hours of the poll, there was a close tug of war. My vote was for Odd Future. I grew up with them, we are closer in age, and my connection to their music is personal. Although OFWGKTA put up a good fight and made way further than I anticipated, the winner 54% to 46% was G.O.O.D. Music! The certified legends, the rappers who raised us, who influenced our other favorite rappers were the champions!
When reflecting on the results and the commentary from my followers, I’m left with even more questions: How much does nostalgia influence our music tastes? Do we tend to favor artists we grew up with over newer voices? And how do these supergroups reflect larger cultural dynamics, from race and class to regional identity and resistance?
Maybe it’s time for another poll.
vaugh10@mail.broward.edu