The Viral Mystery: Why Is Earl Sweatshirt Credited As 'Brad Pitt' In A New Star-Studded Show?

The internet is once again buzzing about the bizarre and hilarious connection between Hollywood icon Brad Pitt and critically acclaimed rapper Earl Sweatshirt. This seemingly random pairing of a two-time Oscar winner and a former Odd Future member is not a new celebrity friendship or a secret music collaboration, but rather a deep-cut meme that has unexpectedly resurfaced in a major new media project, baffling casual fans and delighting long-time followers of the rapper. As of December 14, 2025, the reason for the renewed attention is a new trailer that credits the rapper under the actor's name, bringing the long-running joke back into the mainstream spotlight.

The core of the mystery lies in a decade-old sketch comedy series and a recent teaser for Doechii’s upcoming show, Denial is a River, where Thebe Neruda Kgositsile—known professionally as Earl Sweatshirt—is officially listed as "Brad Pitt." This deliberate and comical use of the actor's name is a nod to a legendary inside joke from the Adult Swim series Loiter Squad, and its unexpected revival confirms the meme's status as a foundational piece of Odd Future and alternative hip-hop lore.

The Complete Biography Profile: Brad Pitt vs. Earl Sweatshirt

To fully appreciate the absurdity of the "Brad Pitt Earl Sweatshirt" meme, one must first understand the vast difference in their professional worlds. The following profiles detail the careers of both the celebrated actor and the influential rapper.

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William Bradley Pitt (Brad Pitt)

• Born: December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, US.
• Occupation: Actor, Film Producer.
• Notable Breakthrough: His role as a hitchhiker in the 1991 film Thelma & Louise.
• Key Filmography: Fight Club, Seven, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moneyball, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
• Major Awards: Two Academy Awards (one for acting, one for producing 12 Years a Slave), two Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award.
• Production Company: Co-founded Plan B Entertainment, which has produced numerous Oscar-winning films.

Thebe Neruda Kgositsile (Earl Sweatshirt)

• Born: February 24, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, US.
• Occupation: Rapper, Record Producer, Songwriter.
• Affiliation: Former member of the influential Los Angeles hip-hop collective Odd Future (OFWGKTA), alongside Tyler, the Creator.
• Key Albums: Doris, I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside, Some Rap Songs, and Sick!.
• Style: Known for his complex, introspective, and abstract lyrical style, often exploring themes of anxiety and sociopolitical unease.
• Other Projects: Starred in the Adult Swim sketch comedy series Loiter Squad (2012–2014).

The Origin Story: Loiter Squad’s Deep-Cut Meme

The joke that connects the two stars is rooted in the early 2010s and the chaotic, irreverent humor of the Odd Future collective.

The primary source is the Adult Swim show Loiter Squad, a sketch comedy series that aired from 2012 to 2014 and featured members of Odd Future, including Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt.

In one particular sketch, which is often cited by fans, the group was parodying the film 12 Years a Slave, a movie that Brad Pitt was a producer on and also appeared in as a minor character.

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The joke was a meta-commentary on Pitt’s involvement, where he was sometimes perceived as the 'white savior' figure in the film.

To satirize this dynamic, or simply to add an element of random, awkward absurdity typical of their humor, the Loiter Squad cast began referring to Earl Sweatshirt as "Brad Pitt."

The name stuck as an enduring, often unexplained inside joke among the fanbase.

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It was a running gag that saw Earl Sweatshirt sometimes credited as "Brad Pitt" in various fan-made content and even on merchandise, like the popular graphic print t-shirts and sweatshirts sold online.

The Meme Resurgence: Denial is a River

The nearly decade-old joke received a massive, high-profile boost in the current entertainment landscape thanks to rapper Doechii and her new upcoming project.

Doechii, often referred to as the "Swamp Princess," is set to host a new show titled Denial is a River.

The show's trailer, which was recently released, features a star-studded cast including ScHoolboy Q, Zack Fox, and, most notably, Earl Sweatshirt.

In a direct and knowing reference to the *Loiter Squad* era, Earl Sweatshirt is officially and hilariously credited in the trailer as "Brad Pitt."

This credit immediately thrilled Odd Future followers, who understood the "ifykyk" (if you know, you know) nature of the gag.

Doechii herself leaned into the joke, posting on social media that it "wasn't easy convincing Brad Pitt to play Earl Sweatshirt," further cementing the meme's renewed viral status.

The show, which has been described as having a "Family Matters-esque" feel, showcases Doechii comically slapping several cast members, including "Earl 'Brad Pitt' Sweatshirt," in a teaser that is heavy on nostalgia and surreal humor.

The decision to credit Earl Sweatshirt as Brad Pitt in a major show is a perfect example of how niche, internet-born humor can cross over into mainstream media, especially when driven by artists like Doechii who are tapped into pop culture’s deepest references.

More Than a Joke: The Legacy of Odd Future's Humor

The enduring popularity of the "Brad Pitt" meme speaks volumes about the lasting cultural impact of the Odd Future collective and their unique brand of comedy.

Their humor, often seen on *Loiter Squad*, was characterized by its randomness, self-referential nature, and a willingness to blend high and low culture—in this case, an Oscar-winning producer with a rising hip-hop star.

The joke is a testament to the collective's ability to create an entire universe of inside references, which their dedicated fanbase cherishes.

Other entities and figures from this era, like Tyler, the Creator, and various Adult Swim projects, continue to carry this legacy of surreal, boundary-pushing content.

For fans, seeing "Brad Pitt" listed in the credits of a 2025 show is more than just a funny credit; it's a throwback to a golden age of alternative hip-hop and internet culture that continues to influence new artists like Doechii.

Ultimately, the connection between Brad Pitt and Earl Sweatshirt remains a purely comedic one, a phantom collaboration that only exists in the shared memory of a passionate online community and, now, in the credits of a highly anticipated new show.