Was Vince Staples Part of Odd Future’s Crew?

Vince Staples has opened up about a common misconception: the belief that he was once a member of the influential LA rap collective Odd Future. While many fans were introduced to Staples through his work with Odd Future’s Earl Sweatshirt, the truth is that Staples was never an official member of the group. However, he was certainly connected to the collective in more ways than one.

In a recent interview with NME for their Big Read feature, Staples clarified the misunderstanding surrounding his relationship with Odd Future. “It’s a really big misconception [that I was in Odd Future],” he shared. “I was friends with Earl a few months before he left to go to a boarding school in Samoa. I didn’t really have a relationship with anyone else until years, years, years later. But I am appreciative of the lessons that I’ve learned from them.”

Staples, who first gained major recognition for his contributions to Earl Sweatshirt’s 2013 track “Hive,” went on to discuss his early connection with the collective. Although he wasn’t officially part of Odd Future, Staples had a front-row seat to their meteoric rise. “I wasn’t a part of it, but I was there for a lot of it,” he explained. “It was an amazing thing to see them map that out and create their own world. And I definitely used a lot of that knowledge I received from them when I had to do my own thing.”

Odd Future’s unique approach to the music industry, led by Tyler, The Creator, alongside the creative influence of figures like Frank Ocean and Syd, set the group apart in a way that resonated deeply with Staples. “I think I’m even more shocked that I ended up being able to have something because that was not my goal,” Staples reflected. “When I met them, they were just hungry and had a passion for music.”

For Staples, working alongside people with such raw energy and dedication to their craft left a lasting impression. “Honestly, just to be able to be considered peers with people who work that hard and stand on what they believe in creatively… It was hard to do because as [they were] teenagers, the world looked at them in a weird light — not weird, but just not like they were traditionally what we see as musicians or young rappers,” he continued. “I think that they did a great job. And I’m just happy to have been able to see some of it.”

Vince Staples’ own journey in the music industry has been shaped, in part, by the experiences and lessons learned from the Odd Future crew. Although he wasn’t an official member, his time spent around the group undoubtedly influenced his path, fueling his growth as both an artist and a creative force.

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