Being nominated for five Grammys and winning two is a challenging task. Tyler Gregory Okonma proves that hard work and dedication can make any dream possible. Billboard describes him as, “The face of the pot-stirring early 2000s Odd Future rap and R&B collective, Tyler is equally respected for his sharp lyrical acumen and penchant for controversy. The California native grew into a force as a deft lyricist, producer, director, singer, and fashion designer, carving out a unique niche among his peers and reinventing the idea of alternative hip-hop on albums such as 2017’s “Flower Boy” and 2019’s acclaimed “Igor.”
His eighth and most recent album “CHROMAKOPIA” felt unaligned with the rest of his discography, leaning towards modern beats that Gen Z is newly accustomed to. Okonma broke his two-year album cycle to release it as a surprise for his fans. When he confirmed his eighth studio album, the main topic of discussion was the newest character he would portray, and what artists would be featured. Tyler, The Creator has worked behind the scenes with many incredible artists and produced tracks that guarantee success. It was disappointing to discover that Sexyy Red, GloRilla, and Doechii would all appear on “CHROMAKOPIA”. Especially after he publicly expressed his criticism of records that target a specific audience for the sole purpose of making a profit.
Tyler has expressed this opinion in an interview with Mav Carter saying, “I don’t wanna seem like a hater. Sometimes I have hater energy ’cause I just think I’m that good,” he contested. “I love this art form so much bro and there’s so many […]out right now that aren’t musicians that are getting treated like musicians ’cause they make meme records.” He continued to say that the blame is on publications that release these ‘meme records’ that take up space for artists like him.
Not all aspects of this album are negative. One thing that sets Tyler, The Creator apart from other artists is the sincerity in every decision he makes. He intentionally released the album on Monday (Oct. 28) at 6:00 AM, completely disregarding standard Friday releases. Fans speculate that the reason was to reset the norms of the music industry which is partly true. But his true intention was explained in a previous interview, “People on the weekends, they just want to chill and hang out. So they’re not really listening. But I think if you put it out during the week, man. That commute to work or that commute to school or, just, whatever that is, you really have that hour or thirty minutes to dive in and listen.”
Tyler’s distinctive music, fashion, and decision-making taste highlight his uniqueness. With every album Tyler releases, a new project arises. To celebrate his 2016 album “Flower Boy”, Tyler established GOLF Le FLEUR in collaboration with Converse. “GOLF” refers to his American street-wear brand released in 2011, while “Le Fleur” directly translates to the flower in reference to “Flower Boy”. His passion for inclusivity and diversity expands beyond his musical abilities which can be proven through the wide range of products available on his brand. From nail polish to linens, sweaters to suitcases, perfumes to shoes, he’s got everything under the sun!
Tyler uses alter-egos based on the style of the album he is releasing. Even going as far as decorating his show sets, album covers, music videos, and fashion choices to resemble the aesthetic of the album. Margaret Wilson, student at Millbrook High School, added, “His energy on stage is incredible and he puts on the best performances. Igor is my favorite album, and I love how he creates different versions of himself for each new release.” For his 2017 album “Flower Boy”, Tyler wore knit sweaters and soft colors to represent the soft tunes in the album’s tracks.
Rolling Stones highlights that “Tyler has been constructing, and reconstructing, versions of himself — Tyler Baudelaire on “Call Me if You Get Lost”, Igor on “IGOR”, Flower Boy on “Flower Boy” — as a means of understanding the different facets of his own personality. No matter where fans’ starting point is, they’ve so far been able to slot themselves into the story in one way or another.”
“Ahead of Chromakopia’s release, a popular trend on TikTok featured fans sharing photos of themselves in various Tyler eras, be it “Flower Boy” or “Call Me if You Get Lost”. The implication, that these fans grew up alongside Tyler, is in fact a feature of his success. Tyler is in a league perhaps only occupied by the likes of Kanye West and Drake, where multiple generations have been able to say they grew up alongside them. Now, he’s released his most sonically polished, introspective record to date.” One permanent thing is his energy on stage and his overall outstanding performances that he never fails to deliver.
This could be the inspiration that caused Tyler to curate his own annual festival called Camp Flog Gnaw located in Los Angeles, California, in 2012. The name “Flog Gnaw” is an anagram of “Wolf Gang” and also spells “Golf Wang” in reverse. Attendees of the festival have access to a wide variety of carnival games, rides, and food vendors. Tyler, The Creator’s love for the art of music is evident through every decision he makes. Whether it’s through transcendent lyrics, or releasing his album on a Monday morning for the sole purpose of preventing the media from influencing listener’s opinions. He works endlessly on resetting modern norms and continues to remind us of the real values of music in an ever-changing industry.
