Tyler, The Creator is Okonma's most commonly used alias, and the one that both of his first two albums are credited to, but he has used several others as well, including Wolf Haley, Ace (or Ace Creator), and Young N***a, the latter of which was part of a prank on OFWGKTA's official site. Many other characters or alter egos and names are featured in his music, such as Tron Cat, a therapist called Dr. TC, and most recently, Tyler Baudelaire, the character from the 2021 album CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.
In 2009, Tyler self-released his debut mixtape B*stard as a free download off of the official OFWGKTA website. Two music videos were released for tracks off of B*stard, "VCR" and "French!," both of which were directed by Tyler (credited as Wolf Haley). The album is focused on dialogues between Tyler and Dr. TC, and it received generally positive reviews from critics and blogs alike.
After signing to XL Recordings in February 2011, he released "Yonkers," the lead single off his sophomoric album Goblin, which was released on May 10, 2011. The music video for "Yonkers" (directed by Tyler credited as Wolf Haley) won Tyler The 2011 MTV Video Music Award for "Best New Artist," as well as a nomination for Video of the Year (which lost to Katy Perry's "Firework").
Goblin, an album described as "dark," "monolithic," and "a natural sequel to B*stard," continues the sessions with Tyler's fictional therapist, with Tyler venting to Dr. TC about fame, message boards, critics, hype, expectations, media scrutiny, and the idea of being a role model. All of the production was handled by Tyler, save for "Transylvania," which was produced by fellow OFWGKTA member Left Brain.
Tyler's third studio album, known as Wolf, was released in 2013. Tyler alluded to several possible track names on his Formspring account, and he stated that the album would focus less on rapping and more on production. In an interview with DJ Semtex, he confirmed that he would handle all the production on the album, except for one song produced by Left Brain, the same approach that was used for Goblin. On February 14, 2013, OFWGKTA uploaded a video to their YouTube account, which included L-Boy skydiving and stating that on April 2, 2013. Tyler revealed three album covers via his Instagram. The first single from the album was released on February 14, 2013, titled " Domo 23" along with the music video which features cameos from Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Jasper Dolphin and Taco Bennett. On February 26, 2013, Tyler performed the songs "Domo23" and "Treehome95" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Intro
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To you all
The Odd Future compilation
Fuck, give it up
Starring
Casey V, Hodgy Beats, Left Brain, Super 3, and Tyler, the Creator
Give it up! Give it up for 'em!
Will y'all shut the fuck up?
Alright, let me configure this
Get this ready
Alright, let's go
Nigga seventeen his own fucking magazine
And of course his Hunger Force is Aqua Teen by all means
Fuck a deal, signature is legible
I'm the reason why niggas is heatin' up they vegetables
From being bullied in the sixth, to being dissed by any bitch
That can breath, please throw me in a ditch
And I hope I sell a copy of this disk
Fuck Hope, I am one short, a miracle of wish
Whether you nigga or ese, the magazine is great
Because the articles an essay
Half you dumb niggas can't even write an essay
'Cause all of ya'll some stupid asses, S.A
You motherfuckers in denial
I'm the square just like the tile, right down the fucking isle
Music was my only friend, ever since I was a child
I make niggas frown, just to give myself a smile
Mother was my father, the nigga didn't bother
To send a kid a dollar, my only role model was
Niggas that record and that could play keyboards
And wild piano chords make me happy
Dr. Seuss more important than Jesus
Y'all immigrants to depression, nigga give me a visa
We sick, the same lames that sneeze us
Made us turn to Jazz now, because the black kids would tease us
I need a fucking chain, I need to make it rain
I need some fucking rims, a car that I can rent
A verse about swag, jeans sagging off my ass
No I don't, fuck that, I am not a fucking fag
I rhyme and I'm still scared of guns
In the marching band but I bang my own drums and
Sing my own song, all of my wrongs are right
Never got into a fight, hit me
Bass, drum, snare, let it go
Disappear like good music in the past year
And everybody do the same thing, I hear the same shit
All the time, like the radio is queer
This isn't a mixtape, it's more of ear rape
By kids who think you other niggas suck
It's very offensive, you niggas defensive
If you can't take the heat then get the fuck out the kitchen, listen
Tyler the Creator, Hodgy Beats, Super 3, Casey V, Left Brain
Enjoy the show, good night, thank you, and fuck you
The lyrics of "The Tape" by Tyler, the Creator are an introduction to the Odd Future compilation album. The song starts with Tyler presenting the album and acknowledging the artists involved, including himself and his fellow Odd Future members. He sarcastically urges the audience to give it up for them, showing his playful and confrontational style. Tyler then starts rapping about his own journey, highlighting his achievements and struggles.
In the first verse, Tyler references his success at a young age, being recognized in his own magazine and drawing inspiration from the animated show Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He dismisses the idea of signing a record deal, emphasizing his uniqueness and creativity. Tyler also touches on personal experiences of being bullied and rejected by girls, expressing his desire for recognition and acceptance. He mentions the importance of his music and how it has been his only friend since childhood.
The second verse delves into Tyler's upbringing, sharing intimate details about his absent father and the absence of positive role models in his life. He finds solace in music, particularly in artists who can play keyboards and create beautiful piano chords. Tyler reflects on his struggles with depression and alienation, rejecting traditional religious figures and suggesting that he finds meaning in the works of Dr. Seuss instead. He criticizes society for marginalizing and teasing black kids, leading him to embrace jazz music.
The song concludes with Tyler expressing his desires and frustrations. He expresses a desire for material possessions like chains, rims, and extravagant clothes, but then rejects the idea, refusing to conform to societal expectations. He discusses his fear of guns but also takes pride in his musical abilities, stating that he can create his own beats and sing his own songs. Tyler criticizes the stagnant and repetitive state of the music industry, taking a jab at mainstream radio. The song ends with Tyler thanking the audience, but in his signature rebellious manner, he adds a sarcastic and confrontational "fuck you."
Line by Line Meaning
Nigga seventeen his own fucking magazine
At the age of seventeen, he has his own successful magazine
And of course his Hunger Force is Aqua Teen by all means
His group's influence is comparable to the popular show Aqua Teen Hunger Force
Fuck a deal, signature is legible
He doesn't care about signing deals, his autograph is still clear and recognizable
I'm the reason why niggas is heatin' up they vegetables
His influence motivates people to improve their lives and take care of themselves
From being bullied in the sixth, to being dissed by any bitch
He has faced bullying and disrespect throughout his life
That can breath, please throw me in a ditch
He feels so low that he wishes to be thrown away
And I hope I sell a copy of this disk
He hopes to achieve success and sell his music
Fuck Hope, I am one short, a miracle of wish
He doesn't rely on hope, but believes in the power of his own determination
Whether you nigga or ese, the magazine is great
His magazine is loved by both African Americans and Hispanics
Because the articles an essay
The content of his magazine is thoughtful and well-written
Half you dumb niggas can't even write an essay
He criticizes those who lack the ability to write a simple essay
'Cause all of ya'll some stupid asses, S.A
He insults them by calling them stupid asses
You motherfuckers in denial
He accuses them of being in denial
I'm the square just like the tile, right down the fucking isle
He feels like an outcast, similar to a square tile in a row of tiles
Music was my only friend, ever since I was a child
He relied on music for companionship since childhood
I make niggas frown, just to give myself a smile
He enjoys making others unhappy to find solace in his own satisfaction
Mother was my father, the nigga didn't bother
He didn't have a present father figure, his mother fulfilled both roles
To send a kid a dollar, my only role model was
He lacked financial support and had no positive role models
Niggas that record and that could play keyboards
He looked up to musicians who recorded and played keyboards
And wild piano chords make me happy
The unconventional and energetic piano chords bring him joy
Dr. Seuss more important than Jesus
He values the influence of Dr. Seuss's work more than that of Jesus
Y'all immigrants to depression, nigga give me a visa
He perceives others as newcomers to depression and asks for permission to enter
We sick, the same lames that sneeze us
He criticizes those who make fun of them, only to end up becoming like them
Made us turn to Jazz now, because the black kids would tease us
They found solace in Jazz music because they were mocked by African American kids
I need a fucking chain, I need to make it rain
He desires materialistic possessions like a flashy chain and money to showcase success
I need some fucking rims, a car that I can rent
He craves expensive rims to enhance his car, even if it's just a rental
A verse about swag, jeans sagging off my ass
He sarcastically suggests that he needs to conform to the trend of displaying swag and saggy jeans
No I don't, fuck that, I am not a fucking fag
He rejects conforming to stereotypes and labels, asserting his identity
I rhyme and I'm still scared of guns
Despite being a rapper, he has a fear of firearms
In the marching band but I bang my own drums and
He was part of the marching band, but now he creates his own beats with confidence
Sing my own song, all of my wrongs are right
He has found liberation in expressing himself and believes in the validity of his actions
Never got into a fight, hit me
He has never engaged in physical altercations and invites others to hit him
Bass, drum, snare, let it go
He emphasizes the importance of rhythm and encourages letting go of inhibitions
Disappear like good music in the past year
He comments on the fleeting nature of good music being overshadowed by current trends
And everybody do the same thing, I hear the same shit
He criticizes the lack of originality in the music industry, hearing repetitive content
All the time, like the radio is queer
He likens the repetitive nature of radio play to homosexuality, using it as an insult
This isn't a mixtape, it's more of ear rape
He refers to his project as more than just a mixtape, but a jarring and overwhelming experience for the ears
By kids who think you other niggas suck
He and his peers believe that other artists are inferior
It's very offensive, you niggas defensive
Their music is intentionally offensive and elicits defensive reactions from others
If you can't take the heat then get the fuck out the kitchen, listen
He challenges those who cannot withstand criticism to leave the music industry and demands their attention
Tyler the Creator, Hodgy Beats, Super 3, Casey V, Left Brain
These are the names of the artists involved in the project
Enjoy the show, good night, thank you, and fuck you
A final message to the listeners, expressing both gratitude and animosity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TYLER OKONMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind