MTV One To Watch: Earl Wants To Change The Rap Game

Not everyone in the hip-hop genre uses profanity to get their point across and Earl, a relative newcomer to the hip-hop scene, is making waves in a good way. A D.C. Rapper named Earl is using hip hop to send a new message of peace in an attempt to change the landscape of music and ease racial tensions in the U.S. Rather than sending a message of Black Lives Matter or Police Lives Matter, Earl says he is spreading the message that Jesus matters and with that, he wants to spread a message of positivity within the hip-hop community reminiscent of Will Smith before he started making movies, but with an entirely different sound and a message that goes much deeper than most hip-hop artists.

Chris Matthewson is Earl’s real name, and he is one of just a handful of white American rappers. Though he hails from Washington, D.C., Matthewson grew up in Northern Virginia. While Earl is Matthewson’s middle name, it also means much more to him. The hip-hop artist says that his name is an acronym, and it means “Existence After Real Love.”

While Earl is a self-taught mainstream hip-hop artist and producer, he is also a Christian, and he keeps his message clean. His lyrics are edgy and raw without the profanity found in most mainstream rap. Earl believes he can convey himself just fine without the use of a few swear words and hopes to change the stereotype within hip-hop music.

When asked about his new style of hip-hop, Earl told Fox 5, “Well, my music — one — does not use profanity. There are so many words in the vocabulary; it is unnecessary to use profanity. I don’t degrade people. I try to give a Christ-like perspective as to how women should be treated, how women should treat men, how we should address one another.”

Earl, who was a tattoo artist for 11 years before beginning his career in hip-hop, has a lot going on lately. Even though he knows that his hip-hop style with positive lyrics and a profanity-free message may take him longer to break into the mainstream, he is already on the radar. MTV has pegged him as “One To Watch” in 2016.

Given his message and his dedication to his Christian faith, some may wonder why Earl doesn’t just make Christian hip-hop. It seems that he would be able to get more popular much faster in that genre, but Earl has made it clear that he intends to keep his message in the mainstream and take his time getting the word out. He says that God is needed on all the radio stations, not just the Christian ones and he wants to use mainstream music to reach those who may never hear his positive words any other way and plant a seed in hopes that he can help change the attitudes and the lives of those he touches.

“Fire The Fuse” is Earl’s latest single The newest release has a dance vibe and influences that go beyond hip-hop. The new track can be heard on Earl’s official website or Soundcloud. Considering that the lyrics are clean, this is an excellent choice for households with children. The single is currently being marketed to nightclubs and radio stations and has received a positive response from music critics. Earl is certainly an artist to watch for in the future, so be sure to catch his newest release as well as his many other musical offerings.

The single “Fire The Fuse” is currently being marketed to nightclubs and radio stations and has received a positive response from music critics. Earl is certainly an artist to watch for in the future, so be sure to catch his newest release as well as his many other musical offerings. Don’t be surprised to hear his work as it makes its way to mainstream radio stations and is featured on MTV.

[Photo used with permission from Domenick Nati/Nati Celebrity Services]