Tyler, The Creator

Tyler, The Creator
Background information
Birth name Tyler Okonma
Also known as Wolf Haley, Ace, Young Nigga
Born March 6, 1991 (1991-03-06) (age 21)
Origin Ladera Heights, Los Angeles
Genres Alternative hip hop
Occupations Rapper, record producer, director, actor, graphic artist,[1] fashion designer[2]
Instruments Vocals, piano, keyboards, drums
Years active 2007–present
Labels XL, Odd Future Records
Associated acts OFWGKTA, Casey Veggies, Pusha T, Game
Website oddfuture.com

Tyler Okonma (born March 6, 1991),[3] better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, record producer, music video director, actor, graphic artist[1] and fashion designer[2] from Los Angeles, currently signed to English independent record label XL Recordings and his own record label, Odd Future Records. He is the leader of the alternative hip hop collective OFWGKTA.[4] He has rapped on and produced songs for nearly every OFWGKTA release. He also creates all the artwork for the group's releases[1] and said in an interview with DJ Semtex that he designs all the group's clothing and other merchandise as well.[2]

Contents

Early life

At the age of 7, Tyler would take the cover out of an album's case and create covers for his own imaginary albums including a tracklist with song times before he could even make music.[5][6] At the age of 14, Tyler taught himself how to play piano.[7]

Music career

2009–present: Bastard and Goblin

On December 25, 2009, Tyler self-released his first album, Bastard. The album was eventually ranked 32nd on Pitchfork Media's list of the Top Albums of 2010. On February 11, 2011, Tyler released the music video for "Yonkers", the first single from his second album, Goblin, which was released May 10, 2011.[8] The video has received attention from several online media outlets.[9][10][11][12] An extended version with a third verse can be purchased on iTunes.[13] After the release of "Yonkers," Tyler announced that he had signed a one-album deal with XL Recordings.[14] Tyler and fellow OFWGKTA member Hodgy Beats made their television debut on February 16, 2011 when they performed "Sandwitches" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[15] On March 16, Tyler and Hodgy performed "Yonkers" and "Sandwitches" on the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards, being joined by other members of Odd Future during "Sandwitches". Goblin was released on May 10, 2011.

During an interview with Tyler for Interview, Waka Flocka Flame expressed his interest in collaborating with the Odd Future frontman to direct a music video for him.[16]

Tyler's third album Wolf is scheduled for release in 2012. It will contain the instrumentals that Tyler has been making since the age of 15.[17]

Tyler won Best New Artist for "Yonkers" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.[18]

Criticism

Homophobia

Tyler has been criticized for his use of homophobic slurs, in particular, his frequent use of the epithet "faggot" in his lyrics and on Twitter.[19][20] He has denied accusations of homophobia, stating "I'm not homophobic. I just say 'faggot' and use 'gay' as an adjective to describe stupid shit,"[21][22] and "I'm not homophobic. I just think 'faggot' hits and hurts people."[23] However, he later said in an interview with MTV about the slurs that "Well, I have gay fans and they don't really take it offensive, so I don't know. If it offends you, it offends you. If you call me a nigga, I really don't care, but that's just me, personally. Some people might take it the other way; I personally don't give a shit."[24][25]

Misogyny

Main article: Misogyny in hip hop culture

Tyler has also been criticized for his graphic depictions of violence against women and his misogynistic lyrics.[26][27] Brent DiCrescenzo of Time Out Chicago writes that rape is a "predominant theme" of Goblin[28] and Hermione Hoby of The Guardian writes that Tyler's "rape and murder fantasies (are) graphic enough to send the vomit rising along with the bile."[29] The Fader tallied 68 uses of the term "bitch" over Goblin's 73 minutes.[30] Responding to Tegan and Sara's criticism of his lyrics,[31] Tyler tweeted: "If Tegan and Sara need some hard dick, hit me up!"[32]

Legal issues

On December 22, 2011, Tyler was arrested at a show in Los Angeles. Charged with "suspicion of vandalism" for alleged destroying of a sound equipment belonging to the venue.[33]

Discography

Main articles: Tyler, The Creator discography and Tyler, The Creator production discography

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Himself Performed "Sandwitches" with Hodgy Beats
When I Was 17
Workaholics Extra 1 episode
Regular Show Blitz Common
Big Trouble		 Voice roles

1 Episode
2012 Loiter Squad Himself

Awards and nominations

O Music Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
2011 Odd Future Best Web-Born Artist Nominated[34]
Tyler, The Creator Most Outrageous Tweet Nominated[35]
MTV Video Music Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
2011 Tyler, The Creator Best New Artist Won[36]
"Yonkers" Video of the Year Nominated[37]
MTV2 Sucker Free Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
2011 Tyler, The Creator Rookie of the Year Won[38]
Must Follow Artist Won[39]
Odd Future Best Crew of 2011 Nominated[40]

References

  1. ^ a b c Tyler, the Creator, of Odd Future and 'Goblin' — NYTimes.com
  2. ^ a b c LUNCH WITH TYLER on Vimeo
  3. ^ http://www.oddfuturetalk.com/wiki/Tyler,_the_Creator
  4. ^ Caroline Ryder (October 14, 2010). "The Future Is Odd – Page 1 – Music – Los Angeles". LA Weekly. http://www.laweekly.com/2010-10-14/music/the-future-is-odd/. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  5. ^ http://www.formspring.me/wolfhaley/q/250412066404303795
  6. ^ Haley Longman (August 30, 2011). "10 Things to Know About VMA Winner Tyler, The Creator". Teen. http://www.teen.com/tyler-the-creator-best-new-artist-facts-bio-photos/#2. Retrieved 2011-08-30. 
  7. ^ "Odd Future är tidningen som aldrig gavs ut (Tyler, The Creator-intervjun del 3)". SVT – PSL. April 28, 2011. http://psl.svt.se/psl/2011/4/28/odd-future-ar-tidningen-som-aldrig-gavs-ut-tyler-the-creator-intervjun-del-3/. Retrieved May 12, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Consultation: A Review of Tyler, The Creator’s GOBLIN". frontpsych.com. http://frontpsych.com/2011/05/13/consultation-a-review-of-tyler-the-creators-goblin/. Retrieved May 13, 2011. 
  9. ^ "Tyler, The Creator Gets Odd In ‘Yonkers’". Rapfix.mtv.com. February 11, 2011. http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/02/11/tyler-the-creator-gets-odd-in-yonkers/. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Video: Tyler, The Creator "Yonkers"". Complex.com. February 11, 2011. http://www.complex.com/music/2011/02/video-tyler-the-creator-yonkers. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Tyler, The Creator – "Yonkers" Video". Stereogum. February 13, 2011. http://stereogum.com/636961/tyler-the-creator-yonkers-video/top-stories/lead-story/. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  12. ^ "WATCH: Shocking Clip From Odd Future Frontman". SPIN.com. February 11, 2011. http://www.spin.com/articles/watch-shocking-clip-odd-future-frontman. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  13. ^ "Yonkers – Single by Tyler, The Creator – Download Yonkers – Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. February 14, 2011. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yonkers-single/id419873754. Retrieved March 2, 2011. 
  14. ^ Cragg, Michael (August 23, 2010). "New music: Tyler, the Creator – Yonkers | Music | guardian.co.uk". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/feb/17/tyler-creator-yonkers. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  15. ^ "Odd Future: 'Sandwitches' - Video - NBC.com". Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/odd-future-sandwitches/1295865. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
  16. ^ Waka Flocka Flame Wants Tyler, the Creator To Direct His Video, Los Angeles Times, July 30, 2011, http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/28/waka-flocka-flame-wants-tyler-the-creator-to-direct-his-video/, retrieved July 30, 2011 
  17. ^ "Tyler, The Creator - Om Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (Del 6)" (in Swedish). svtplay.se. http://svtplay.se/v/2440877/psl/tyler-the-creator-odd-future. Retrieved September 9, 2011. 
  18. ^ Wilkinson, Amy (August 29, 2011). "Tyler, The Creator Nabs Best New Artist VMA". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1669866/tyler-the-creator-vma-best-new-artist.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-08-29. 
  19. ^ MacPherson, Alex (May 10, 2011). "Is hip-hop homophobia at a tipping point?". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/may/09/hip-hop-homophobia. Retrieved May 10, 2011. 
  20. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (May 13, 2011). "Odd Future Plays Secret L.A. Show". Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/05/13/odd-future/. Retrieved May 13, 2011. 
  21. ^ Pattison, Louis (2011) "Tyler, The Creator Goblin", NME, 14 May 2011, p. 12
  22. ^ Lester, Paul (2011) "Tyler the Creator in the UK: forget hip-hop, we're the new Sex Pistols!", The Guardian, 7 May 2011, retrieved May 14, 2011
  23. ^ MacPherson, Alex (May 10, 2011). "Is hip-hop homophobia at a tipping point?". London: Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/may/09/hip-hop-homophobia. Retrieved May 18, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Tyler, The Creator Defends His Use Of The Other F-Word". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1665860/tyler-the-creator-defends-lyrics.jhtml. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  25. ^ "GLAAD calls VMA winner Tyler, The Creator ‘violently anti-gay’". Pink News. August 31, 2011. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/08/31/glaad-calls-vma-winner-tyler-the-creator-violently-anti-gay/. Retrieved 2011-08-31. 
  26. ^ Wlfson, Sam (May 20, 2011). "Pop Music is Full of Abuse and Misogyny Already. Tyler, the Creator's Simply on Trend", The Daily Telegraph, accessed September 27, 2011.
  27. ^ Grossmann-Heinze, Dahlia (September 12, 2011)."Tyler, the Creator Reignites Debate About Misogyny in Music". Campus Progress, accessed September 27, 2011.
  28. ^ DiCrescenzo, Brent (June 29, 2011). "The Case against Odd Future". Time Out Chicago, accessed September 27, 2011.
  29. ^ Hoby, Hermione (May 08, 2011). "Rappers and rape: the incredible sound and hateful lyrics of Odd Future". The Guardian, accessed September 27, 2011.
  30. ^ Fader Magazine. "By The Numbers: Tyler, The Creator’s Goblin". Accessed September 27, 2011.
  31. ^ O'Neal, Sean (May 16, 2011). "Today in Tyler, The Creator: Tyler, The Creator responds to Tegan And Sara's accusation of misogyny in predictable way". The A.V. Club, accessed September 27, 2011.
  32. ^ Stewart, Allison (May 17, 2011). "Tegan and Sara vs. Tyler, the Creator: The Internet reacts". The Washington Post, accessed September 27, 2011.
  33. ^ http://www.pitchfork.com/news/44949-tyler-the-creator-arrested/
  34. ^ http://www.omusicawards.com/vote/best-web-born-artist
  35. ^ http://www.omusicawards.com/vote/most-outrageous-tweet
  36. ^ http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2011/winners.jhtml
  37. ^ http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2011/video-of-the-year/
  38. ^ http://www.mtv.com/shows/sucker_free/voting.jhtml?category=winners_2011
  39. ^ http://www.mtv.com/shows/sucker_free/voting.jhtml?category=winners_2011
  40. ^ http://www.mtv.com/shows/sucker_free/voting.jhtml?category=winners_2011
Tyler, The Creator
Studio albums
Mixtapes
Singles
Featured singles
Other songs
"Bastard" · "French!" · "VCR/Wheels" · "Radicals" · "Analog"
Related
OFWGKTA
Tyler, The Creator · Hodgy Beats · Earl Sweatshirt · Domo Genesis · Mike G · Frank Ocean · Left Brain · Syd tha Kyd · Matt Martians · Jasper Dolphin · Taco
Group releases
Tyler, The Creator albums
Hodgy Beats albums
The Dena Tape · YelloWhite · BlackenedWhite
Earl Sweatshirt albums
Domo Genesis albums
Mike G albums
Ali · Award Tour EP
Frank Ocean albums
Matt Martians albums
Voyager · The Journey to the 5th Echelon · Purple Naked Ladies