Who exactly is Tyler, The Creator? Tyler Gregory Okonoma was born on March, 6th, 1991 in Los Angeles California. He was raised by his mother Bonita Smith in Ladera Heights and also in Hawthrone Height sections of L.A. While Tyler was growing up, He taught himself how to play the piano, design his own album covers, and did various other things.
How did he start?
You may wonder how he became the musical sensation he is today, well According to Teachrock.org, Tyler’s music career began online when he started to contact other music artists and post his music on the app called Myspace. Tyler’s music, through the internet, eventually led to his rise in popularity in the early 2010s. At this point where he began, He started as a collective with the music group Odd Future around the year 2007 But started releasing singles in 2010. The Odd Future group consisted of various artists including, Hodgy Beats, Jasper Dolphin, Mike G, Left Brain, Domo Genesis, Matt Martians, Pyramid Vritra, Casey Veggies, Earl Sweatshirt, Syd tha Kid, Taco, and Frank Ocean along with several others associated with the group and Tyler himself. However, the group had major controversy during this time because of the interesting lyric choices they concluded in their songs such as violent, misogynistic, and even at times homophobic. In 2014 their music was even banned in New Zealand. But they had various side quests including starting their own comedy sketch show on Adultswim called Loiter Squad. Out of Odd Future, Tyler produced music by himself which also had an impact on his lead to fame. A fun fact about Tyler is that he releases an album every 2 years. Throughout his career, Tyler has also ventured into other creative fields. He launched his fashion brand Golf Wang which is known for its bold and vibrant designs, and he also created the annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival which is a music festival that showcases a lot of diverse artists. During his time he has released 8 albums and one of them even won a Grammy. Tyler, The Creator’s journey from a rebellious teenager to a Grammy-winning artist is a testament to his unyielding dedication to his craft and brand, which is an amazing achievement and inspiration.
Tyler, The Creator´s Album Evolution Over The Years
1). Goblin
His First career album is called Goblin and was released in 2011. This album was about some dark thoughts he had at the time because of the absence of his father and his dealing with the internal rage that he had built up It is known for its features of aggressiveness and introspective tracks, with his most stood out songs in this album like ¨She¨ and ¨Yonkers¨. This album is a unique project that put Tyler on the map.
2). Wolf
His second album, Wolf, which was released in 2013, is a captivating exploration of his creative evolution. This album blends the alternative hip-hop side while also displaying Tyler’s unique production and storytelling abilities. This album showcased themes of adolescence, love, and personal problems and showed a more introspective side of the artist. Tracks like ¨IFHY¨ and ¨Answer¨ highlight the emotional depth, while tracks like ¨Domo23¨ and ¨Tamale¨ bring some energy and playful lyrics to the album. Wolf is a pivotal album that shows him solidifying his place in the hip-hop landscape. A quote from junior Julia Lawrence, states,¨I do not listen to him that much but when I do, I usually put on this album, my personal favorite song in this album is Jamba.”
3). Cherry Bomb
His third album, Cherry Bomb, which was released in 2015, is dynamic and experimental. This album is characterized by its mix of genres, going from punk rock to jazz and then to R&B, reflecting Tyler’s diverse musical influences. Tracks like ¨DEATHCAMP¨ and ¨BUFFALO¨ feature more aggressive and distorted beats while ¨FIND YOUR WINGS¨ and ¨2SEATER¨ offer more melodic and smooth sounds. Lyrically, Tyler explores themes of identity and fame within this album. Cherry Bomb stands out for its bold production and pushes the boundaries for Tyler’s music. Although the media did not like this album, it did not get good feedback.
4). Flower Boy
His fourth album, Flower Boy, which was released in 2017 is where his career took a turning point. This album has a more mature approach to it and is more lighthearted but the lyrics get personal with the main emotion of loneliness being spread through this album. Songs like ¨911/Mr.Lonely¨ and ¨Boredom¨ explore the lonely factor but songs like ¨Who Dat Boy¨ and ¨I Ain’t Got Time!¨ Bring an upbeat factor to the album. This album was fairly different from the previous albums because as I said, It brought a more mature and calm approach to the table and he also wanted to switch it up because of the negative feedback from the previous album Cherry Bomb. A quote from junior, Narjis Akaabi, states ¨I like this album because of the upbeat factors it brings to the table.”
5). IGOR
His fifth album, IGOR, released in 2019 is by far the best album he produced. IGOR is a bold and significant project that includes various types of music such as R&B, Hip Hop, and funk. This piece tells a cohesive narrative about the complexities of love and heartbreak. Songs like ¨I THINK¨ and ¨GONE GONE/THANK YOU¨, show how a person can fall in love and how easily it can be gone. This album received a Grammy award for Best Rap Album. A quote from junior Kaden Ludwick says, ¨I have been listening to Tyler for a while, when this album came out it opened my eyes, It gave me a whole new perspective on his music.”
6). CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
His sixth album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, released in 2021 is a vibrant and electric album. This project projects elements of soul and jazz and features some hit artists like Pharrell Williams and Lil Wayne. Tracks like ¨WUSYANAME¨ and ¨LUMBERJACK¨ highlight Tyler´s sharp storytelling and his dynamic production. This album showcases the themes of self-reflection and shows a more adventurous and confident side.
7). CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, THE REAL ESTATE
His seventh album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, THE REAL ESTATE, was released in 2023. This album is basically a spin-off or extended version of the previous album but it just added a couple more songs including, DOGTOOTH and SORRY NOT SORRY. It is just another addition but it still fits the lighthearted theme that was interpreted in this album.
8). CHROMAKOPIA
His eighth album and most recent, CHROMAKOPIA, was released in 2024. This album is essentially about his experiences growing up in Los Angeles and how he applies the life lessons his mother has taught him over the years and he shows his appreciation for her. This is also another tribute to his absent father, The song ¨Like Him¨ shows the emotion he feels and whether he really even knows his father or even looks like him because he has never actually met his father. But songs like ¨St. Chroma¨ and ¨Sticky¨ are very upbeat and electric songs that bring life to the album. An expert opinion, Senior Hannah Ferguson stated, ¨I enjoyed this new album, I like how he is musically diverse and he has various genres cooperated in this album I am also going to his concert in July for this album so I look forward to seeing him live.”
To wrap up, Tyler, The Creator stands out as a multifaceted artist and producer who has influenced this generation to the fullest. His innovative approach to hip-hop, his unique production style, and his creative lyrics have reshaped the genre of music and inspired new generation artists today. Also considering he had more projects such as a TV show and even his own clothing brand. This shows the evolution of his music style and how it has changed over the years plus the accomplishments he achieved as well.
sources from https://www.unpublishedzine.com/music/a-look-into-the-evolution-of-tyler-the-creator
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tyler-the-creator-chromakopia/
