Tyler, the Creator — Hip Hop Scriptures (2024)

GOVERNMENT NAME: TYLER GREGORY OKONMA

SUN SIGN: PISCES

BIRTHDAY: MARCH, 1991

HOMETOWN: LADERA HEIGHTS, CA

Music Video:

Hip-Hop Bio:

Tyler Gregory Okonma(born March 6, 1991), professionally known asTyler, the Creator, is an American rapper and record producer. Following a large contribution toOdd Future's early work, Tyler released his debut solomixtape,Bastard, in 2009. After releasing his debut studio album,Goblin, viaXL Recordingsin April 2011, he signed a joint deal withRED DistributionandSony Music Entertainmentfor himself and his label,Odd Future Records.

Tyler's early releases, includingBastard(2009) andGoblin(2011), featured gritty,horrorcore-influenced lyrics; during this era, Tyler was often criticized for his use ofhom*ophobicandmisogynisticslurs. Beginning withWolf(2013), Tyler moved towardsalternative hip hop. His 2015 albumCherry Bombfeatured experiments with melody-focused andjazz-fused sounds. Tyler's later albums,Flower Boy(2017),Igor(2019) andCall Me If You Get Lost(2021), were all released to widespread critical acclaim, with the latter two also debuting at number one on theBillboard200and winningBest Rap Albumat the2020and2022 Grammy Awards, respectively.

Tyler has won twoGrammy Awards, aBRIT Award, anMTV Video Music Award, and threeBET Hip Hop Awards. He created the cover art for all of Odd Future's releases,and has also designed the group's clothing and other merchandise.In 2011, Tyler started the clothing company,Golf Wang. In 2012, he began hosting an annual music festival calledCamp Flog Gnaw Carnival. He created his own streaming service app named "Golf Media," which ran from 2015 to 2018 and contained original scripted series from Tyler and a livestream of each Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. Tyler has collaborated with prominent artists includingKanye West,Lil Wayne,Pharrell Williams,Frank Ocean,Jay-Z,The WeekndandErykah Badu.

Early life and education

Tyler Gregory Okonma was born on March 6, 1991, in Ladera Heights, CA, the son of a Nigerian father with Igbo ancestry and an American mother of mixed African-American and European-Canadian descent. He never met his father and spent his early life living in Ladera Heights, moving to Hawthorne at 17. At the age of seven, he would take the cover out of a CD case and create covers for his own imaginary albums—including a tracklist with song lengths—before he could even make music. He started making beats at the age of 12 using Reason and Fruity Loops. His mom bought him a keyboard when he was 14 and he taught himself how to play.

In his 12 years of schooling, he attended 12 different schools in the Los Angeles and Sacramento areas. In the eighth grade, Okonma joined the drama class and was kicked out due to being too hyper, and in the ninth grade, Okonma was not allowed to join the band class because he could not read the music. He worked at FedEx for just under two weeks and at Starbucks for over two years. Okonma took his stage name from a Myspace page he used to post his creative endeavors.

Career

2007–2011: Odd Future,Bastard, andGoblin

Tyler co-founded his own record label called Odd Future Records. Thealternative hip hopcollectiveOdd Futurein 2007, alongsideHodgy, Left Brain, andCasey Veggies. Other members of the group Odd Future include: Domo Genesis (rapper), Earl Sweatshirt (rapper), Frank Ocean (singer/songwriter), Hodgy Beats (rapper), Left Brain (producer), Matt Martian (production crew), Mike G (rapper), Syd the Kid (engineer, producer, DJ), and Taco & Jasper (comedians/writers). They self-released their debut mixtape,The Odd Future Tape, in November 2008. On December 25, 2009, Tyler self-released his first solo mixtape,Bastard. The mixtape was eventually ranked 32nd onPitchforkMedia's list of the Top Albums of 2010. On February 11, 2011, Tyler released the music video for "Yonkers". The video received attention from several online media outlets. An extended version with a third verse was made available oniTunes. Tyler won Best New Artist for "Yonkers" at the2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Tyler's thematic content in these first two solo projects led fans and publications alike to categorize him in thehorrorcorescene, although he vehemently rejected his connection with it.

In early 2011, Tyler was gaining the interest of a number of figures in the music industry, includingSteve Rifkind,Jimmy Iovine,Rick RossandJay-Z.Tyler and the rest of Odd Future eventually signed a deal with Red Distribution/Sony in April 2011.His debut studio album,Goblin, was released May 10, 2011.Tyler and fellow Odd Future member Hodgy Beats made their television debut on February 16, 2011, when they performed "Sandwitches" onLate Night with Jimmy Fallon.On March 16, Tyler and Hodgy performed "Yonkers" and "Sandwitches" at the 2011 MTUV Woodie Awards, being joined by other members of Odd Future during "Sandwitches".During an interview with Tyler forInterview,Waka Flocka Flameexpressed his interest in collaborating with the Odd Future frontman to direct a music video for him.In early 2011, Tyler told fans through hisFormspringaccount that his second album would be calledWolfand it was scheduled to be released in May 2012.Tyler also announced that Odd Future would establish their own TV show calledLoiter Squad. On September 8, 2011, the show was finally confirmed as a 15-minute live-action show composed of various sketches, man on the street segments, pranks and music made by Odd Future.Dickhouse Productions, the production partnership that createdJackass, was scheduled to produce the show.

Odd Future's television showLoiter Squadpremiered onAdult Swimon March 25, 2012. The show ran for three seasons and featured guest appearances from celebrities, includingJohnny Knoxville,Lil WayneandSeth Rogen. In 2015, Okonma stated that the show "is no more". On February 14, 2013,Odd Futureuploaded a video to their YouTube account, which includes L-Boy skydiving and stating thatWolfwould be released on April 2, 2013. The same day, Okonma would reveal the three album covers via his Instagram account.

In promotion ofWolf, Tyler performed several guest verses for other artists, notably "Trouble on My Mind" byGOOD MusicartistPusha T, "Martians vs. Goblins" byThe Game(also featuringLil Wayne), "I'ma Hata" byDJ Drama(also featuringWaka Flocka Flameand D-Bo), the title track from fellow Odd Future memberDomo Genesis' collaboration album withThe Alchemist,No Idols, and "Blossom & Burn" byTrash Talk(also featuringHodgy Beats). Okonma also co-produced the song "666" fromMellowHype's third albumNumbers, which featuredMike G.

Through March and April 2013, Tyler toured North America and Europe. The first single from the album was released on February 14, 2013, titled "Domo23" along with the music video which features cameos fromDomo Genesis,Earl Sweatshirt, Jasper Dolphin and Taco Bennett.On February 26, 2013, Tyler performed the songs "Domo23" and "Treehome95" onLate Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Wolfwas released on April 2, 2013, byOdd Future RecordsandRED DistributionunderSony Music Entertainment. It featuredguest appearancesby Frank Ocean, Mike G, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Left Brain, Hodgy Beats,Pharrell,Casey VeggiesandErykah Badu. The album was produced solely by Tyler, except for the final track "Lone". Along with the lead single "Domo23", music videos were filmed for "Bimmer", "IFHY" and "Jamba". Upon release, the album was met with generally positive reviews and debuted at number three on theBillboard200, selling 90,000 copies in its first week.

2015–2016:Cherry Bomb

On April 9, 2015, Okonma released the music video for the song "f*cking Young" to Odd Future's officialYouTubechannel. The video also included a short snippet of another song, "Deathcamp".Okonma announced on the same day that the songs will be featured on his upcoming albumCherry Bomb, set for release on April 13, 2015. Okonma announced via hisTwitteraccount that the album would featureCharlie Wilson,Chaz BundickandBlack Lipsmember Cole Alexander.Two days later, Okonma performed the songs "f*cking Young" and "Deathcamp" for the first time atCoachella. During the set, Okonma notably criticizedVIP membersin the audience, of which many were celebrities, for their lack of enthusiasm.

Cherry Bombwas released digitally on April 13, 2015, throughOdd Future Records,with physical copies of the album, featuring five different album covers,set to be released on April 28, 2015.The album features performances from notable artists such asKanye West,Lil WayneandSchoolboy Q.The album was supported by a world tour through North America, Europe and Asia, beginning atCoachella music festivalon April 11, 2015, and ending inTokyo, Japan in September 2015.Okonma cancelled the Australian leg of his Cherry Bomb World Tour following a campaign by the grassroots organization Collective Shout against theportrayal of womenin his music.

On August 26, 2015, Okonma revealed that he had been banned from visiting the United Kingdom for three to five years, which forced him to cancel a string of tour dates supporting theCherry Bombalbum, including theReading and Leeds Festivals. The reason for the ban comes from lyrics dating back to 2009. His manager Christian Clancy said they were informed of the ban via a letter from then-Home SecretaryTheresa May. May cited lyrics from the mixtapeBastardas the reason for the ban, although Okonma had toured multiple times in the UK since its release. Okonma later claimed that he felt he had been treated "like a terrorist" and implied that the ban was racially motivated, stating that "they did not like the fact that their children were idolizing a black man".

2017–2018:Flower Boy,television, andWANG$AP

On April 8, 2017, Frank Ocean released a song titled "Biking" on hisBeats Oneradio station "blonded RADIO", which features both Tyler, the Creator andJay Z. Eight days later it was announced Okonma would write, produce, and perform the theme song for scientistBill Nye's new show,Bill Nye Saves the World.

On June 28, the trailer for Okonma's TV showNuts + Boltspremiered onViceland. The show focuses on things Tyler, the Creator finds interesting or is passionate about, and explains how they are created. The series premiered on August 3, 2017.

On June 29, 2017, Okonma released the song "Who Dat Boy" featuringASAP Rockyon a new YouTube channel, following many promotional countdown posts on his social media accounts. Later that night, he released the song on streaming services alongside a new song titled "911 / Mr. Lonely" featuringSteve Lacy, Frank Ocean, and Anna of the North. On July 6, 2017, he announced the title, tracklist and release date of his fourth album,Flower Boy, which was released on July 21, 2017. Several singles were released following up to the album's release date, including "Boredom" and "I Ain't Got Time!". The album was released viaiTunes,Spotify, and other major music services. On September 14, 2017, Tyler, the Creator announced his third TV show to date,The Jellies. It premiered on October 22, 2017. Flower Boyreceived rave reviews from critics and was nominated forBest Rap Albumat the60th Annual Grammy Awards, giving Tyler his second Grammy nomination after contributing to 2013Album of the YearnomineeChannel Orange, but was beat out byKendrick Lamar's fourth studio albumDamn.

On March 29, 2018, Okonma released "Okra",amongst a string of freestyles and remixes. Okonma referred to it as a "throwaway song", stating that it was not going to be included on any upcoming album, and was not an indication of the sound of any future projects.On May 22, 2018, he released "435",continuing this string of singles. On July 23, 2018, Okonma andASAP Rockyannounced a collaborative project,WANG$AP, by releasing a music video for a remix ofMonica's "Knock Knock" named "Potato Salad" on "AWGE DVD (Vol. 3)", a video compilation by AWGE, ASAP Rocky's creative agency.

2019–present:IgorandCall Me If You Get Lost

On May 6, 2019, Okonma released two short video clips on his online profiles which featured new music. The videos showed him dancing erratically while wearing a long blonde wig, multicolored suit, black sunglasses, and agrill; he donned the same style for pictures on his social media and the music videos for the album's singles. He soon announced his fifth studio album,Igor, which was released on May 17. Igorwas met with widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the USBillboard200, becoming Tyler's first number-one album in the United States. The album also features the song "Earfquake", which peaked at number 13 on theBillboardHot 100.On December 23, 2019, Okonma released two songs, "Best Interest", a song that did not make the cut ofIgorthat was released with a music video, and "Group B".Igorwon the award forBest Rap Albumat the62nd Grammy Awards.

For Okonma's sixth studio album,Call Me If You Get Lost, the artist placedbillboardsin major cities across the world containing a phone number that when called, a recorded conversation between Okonma and his mother played. That recording is included in the album as "Momma Talk". Soon after the billboards were spotted, a website of the same name was discovered.The album's lead single, "Lumberjack", was released on June 16. The following day, Okonma revealed the album's cover and confirmed its release date of June 25. Upon release, it received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the USBillboard200, becoming Okonma's second number-one album in the United States.On January 5, 2022, Tyler, the Creator was announced as a headliner of Louisville'sForecastle Festivalscheduled for May 27–29, 2022.

On March 25, 2022, Okonma appeared on two tracks offNigo's albumI Know Nigo!, the opening track "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019" withA$AP Rocky, and the closer, "Come On, Let's Go", the latter of which was released along with a music video showcasing Tyler's Golf le Fleur* clothing line.Call Me If You Get Lostwon the award for Best Rap Album at the64th Grammy Awards.

Artistry

Okonma's music has been variously consideredalternative hip hop,bedroom pop,jazz rap,R&B, andneo soul, while his earlier music was consideredhorrorcore.Over the years, his style of production has progressed from gritty and dark in early projects such asGoblin, but soon transitioned to a more jazz-based approach, with the albumCherry Bomb,which Okonma described in 2018 as his favorite album.Okonma's fourth album,Flower Boy,"marked the beginning of a new era — a complete departure from the wildly offensive lyrics and dark themes that defined his previous works". Igor,Okonma's first Grammy-winning album, was a deeply personal concept album about "the emotional journey of being the odd man out in a love triangle",whileCall Me If You Get Lost,his second Grammy-winning album, was a concept album about "the persona of “Tyler Baudelaire,” a suave, well-traveled gentleman with a sophisticated taste for high art".

Okonma is also known as the leader ofOdd Future, and the group as a whole has been compared to the influential hip-hop groupWu-Tang Clan.Since the beginning of his career, Okonma has largely self-produced songs for his projects and other Odd Future members; he has been heavily influenced by the production work ofThe NeptunesmemberPharrell Williams, whose debut solo album,In My Mind(2006), had a substantial impact on Okonma, inspiring him to co-found the Odd Future collective.He has also cited Williams' bandN.E.R.D's debut albumIn Search of...(2001) as an impactful album for him. Tyler has namedWashed Out,Beach HouseandBroadcastas influences.

He was also initially influenced by rapperEminem, calling Eminem's albumRelapse(2009) one of his favorite albums in 2011. However, funny enough in 2019, Tyler and Eminem got into a dilemma. Back on Eminem’s Kamikaze album, which includes a song titled “Fall.” In the song, Eminem raps: “My attack is vicious, Jack the Ripper, back in business. Tyler create nothin’, I see why you called yourself a f*****, b**ch, It’s not just ’cause you lack attention, It’s because you worship D12’s balls, you’re sack-religious, If you’re gonna critique me, You better at least be as good or better.“ The diss was fueled by anger due to the moments Slim Shady rapper specifically mentioned are when Tyler tweeted about 2014’s Shady XV and called it “ass,” and when Earl said “if you still follow Eminem, you drink way too much Mountain Dew” in a 2015 interview with Spin. Eminem has expressed this made him create his diss, but regrets it.

During Tyler’s acceptance of the Cultural Influence Award at theBET Awards, Okonma thankedQ-Tip,André 3000,Chad Hugo,Kanye West,Missy Elliot,Busta Rhymes, andHype Williamsas his influences.

In addition to music, Okonma also is involved in the fashion industry; he runs bothGolf Wang, a streetwear company known for its colorful aesthetic, and Golf Le Fleur, a high-end luxury line described to "embody the globe-trotting mise en scène of his latest albumCall Me If You Get Lost".

Sources: Wikipedia, Southpawer, Indiehiphop