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.
Run
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
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Aye nigga, come here nigga
Let me try that hat on
I told you come over here stupid bitch
Come over here with that weak ass hat
All y'all niggas smoke y'all brains out
In the car, car light, took the lame route
And let that drop top, pop the trunk then pop pop
Let his top drop, took another lame out
Oh you the big nigga, take a hit nigga
Well I hope you understand you ain't shit nigga
Cause them niggas whole purpose is to get niggas
And make sure that your mama cry the pain out
Now that gang is out to get you
But you stuck in the same house
Nigga never came out, why
With the shame you got something
Say you a real nigga 'cause you killed him
Nuts for that ice and that cream banana peel niggas
Banana clips spill, niggas wanna bang out
For they approval boy, you can't even hang out
That light you hit, it was the light I held
That's why you never ever see me with my chains out
I don't need to, truth they don't feed you
Lies what they got on their plate, they gon' eat you
They got a homie called Karma he gon' meet you
Better look the other way if he ever see you
And run as fast as you can, nigga
That's the shit I be talkin' bout, though
We ain't try'na hear that shit, my nigga
Cuz, stay preachy cuz
Like nigga come on, homie
I don't wanna hear that shit, preachy shit my nigga
Yeah, we all black, who give a fuck, cuz?
I don't give a fuck, nigga
Whatchu mean?
The lyrics of "RUN" by Tyler the Creator displays his usual use of wordplay and juxtaposition - juxtaposing harsh, violent lyrics with a lively, upbeat instrumental. In the beginning, Tyler is taunting and insulting someone, likely a rival gang member, for wearing a "weak-ass hat." However, he quickly switches to a more serious message, warning young men about the dangers of gang violence, explaining how easy it is to become trapped in the cycle of retaliatory violence. Tyler argues that while people may think violence and proving oneself as a "real" gangster is impressive and rewarding, in reality, it only leads to pain, grief, and the same cycle continuing.
He uses metaphoric references such as 'banana' which means a gun clip referring to the brainless act of using guns amongst others to settle conflicts. The lyrics also mention the concept of karma and how it is inevitable to catch up with people who engage in harmful activities. Scripting it out as a warning to other male youth, Tyler cautions that trying to prove oneself through violence is ultimately meaningless and perpetuates a damaging cycle. It is a common theme but Tyler places it in a new light and perspective, rapped in clever, metaphorical language. The chorus is a repeat of "run as fast as you can, nigga," emphasizing the urgency of getting out of that violent life.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck you running for nigga
Why are you trying to run away from me, man?
Aye nigga, come here nigga
Hey, come here, man.
Let me try that hat on
Can I try on that hat?
I told you come over here stupid bitch
I already told you to come here, you dumb ass.
Come over here with that weak ass hat
Bring that weak hat over here.
All y'all niggas smoke y'all brains out
You all smoke so much weed it's messing with your brains.
In the car, car light, took the lame route
You took the boring way in the car with the light on instead of doing something interesting.
Going nowhere fast if you think that you not gonna hesitate to pull the thing out
If you think you won't hesitate to pull out a gun, you're going nowhere fast in life.
And let that drop top, pop the trunk then pop pop
Pop open the convertible top, open the trunk, and start shooting.
Let his top drop, took another lame out
Kill another person and make their convertible top go down.
Oh you the big nigga, take a hit nigga
Oh, you're a tough guy? Take a hit of this weed, man.
Well I hope you understand you ain't shit nigga
I hope you understand that you're not really that special, man.
Cause them niggas whole purpose is to get niggas
Those guys just want to trap and hurt other black people.
And make sure that your mama cry the pain out
And make sure that your mom cries because of the pain you're causing.
Now that gang is out to get you
Now the gang is trying to find and hurt you.
But you stuck in the same house
But you're too scared to leave your house.
Nigga never came out, why
You never leave your house, why?
With the shame you got something
You're ashamed of something, I can tell.
Say you a real nigga 'cause you killed him
You think you're a tough guy because you killed someone?
Nuts for that ice and that cream banana peel niggas
You're crazy about jewelry and expensive cars, but you're really just a bunch of losers.
Banana clips spill, niggas wanna bang out
Guns with large magazines are firing, and people want to start shooting each other.
For they approval boy, you can't even hang out
You're willing to hurt others just to fit in, but you're not even welcome around here.
That light you hit, it was the light I held
The success you achieved was helped by me, but you don't acknowledge it.
That's why you never ever see me with my chains out
That's why you never see me wearing flashy jewelry.
I don't need to, truth they don't feed you
I don't need to show off, the truth is what's important even if it's not popular.
Lies what they got on their plate, they gon' eat you
The people feeding you lies and falsehoods will eventually turn on you and cause harm.
They got a homie called Karma he gon' meet you
Karma, the consequences of your actions, will eventually catch up to you.
Better look the other way if he ever see you
You better turn the other way if Karma ever shows up.
And run as fast as you can, nigga
And run away as fast as you can, man.
That's the shit I be talkin' bout, though
That's the kind of truthful talk I'm always talking about.
We ain't try'na hear that shit, my nigga
We don't want to hear that stuff, man.
Cuz, stay preachy cuz
Don't be so preachy, man.
Like nigga come on, homie
Come on, man.
I don't wanna hear that shit, preachy shit my nigga
I don't want to hear any more of this preachy stuff, man.
Yeah, we all black, who give a fuck, cuz?
So what if we're all black, why should we care, man?
I don't give a fuck, nigga
I don't care what you say, man.
Whatchu mean?
What are you trying to say?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TYLER OKONMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind