Free speech has long been an issue in music. Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All is a rap group from Los Angeles that consists of 11 kids ranging from 17-20 years old. Over the last two years, they’ve amassed a giant, cult-like following of adolescents, and an equal amount of detractors. What’s caught the eye of outsiders is their lyrical content, specifically that of Tyler, the Creator, the group’s leader. His music is filled with shocking descriptions of violence, especially against women, and boundless profanity.

The lyrics have led to the controversy that made Eminem a household name over a decade ago. Is the music an exercise in free speech, or simply throw-away shock value rap?

The problem with calling it throw-away shock value rap is that the group is actually talented. Yes, the intense lyrics obscure the talent, but it is impressive to think about how Tyler composes all of his music, especially at such a young age. A self-taught piano player, his beats sound as though they were warped from standard hip-hop beats into dense, twisted compositions that create a dark atmosphere for their lyrics to inhabit. The songs wouldn’t be near as shocking if the group didn’t have the talent to back it up.

It seems that the people who are offended by Odd Future think that they actually believe in what they’re rapping about. A big part of the appeal is about feeling apart of “the group.” They interact with their fans in ways that other artists don’t, through their Twitter accounts and concerts that revolve around fan interaction. The lyrics are a way of simultaneously excluding and including people into “the group.” If you are offended by them, you’re against “the group.” If you can look past them and enjoy the music for what it is, you’re in “the group.”

Everyone wants to fit in, especially in their adolescence. Odd Future aren’t devil-worshipping drug addicts, just some talented kids. This is their way of fitting in.