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.
Sam
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then count all your own mistakes
Livin' it with no delay
So fast I'm getting growing pains
Father didn't show me my instincts to take the open lane
I go insane, all the problems come with my growing age, blowin' haze
Trying to clear the doubt that's sitting on my brain, I don't complain
But the kid inside me's feeling so restrained, gotta stay golden
Searchin' for the Fountain of Youth, when I'm free in my brain
(Bring in the horns) You hear that fucking brass?
(Fucking brass, nigga) That's little boy nigga with the trumpets
Marchin' with the bandwagon
Looking for his heart, no sleeve
But his hand carry muskets
Working in the meadows, oblivion
Motherfuck Geppetto
He's a leader, not a puppet
Some professors nutty, you're the Klump's dick
So think before you blink, and "Aye-Aye" make assumptions
Nigga's!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!) Nigga's coming!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!)
Nigga's!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!) Nigga's coming!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!)
They want a story, a story
I write the shit that I find very amusing
'Cause all the other fuckin' stories are boring
It's really awkward to know, that a bunch of kids do adore me
It's like I fathered these fuckers, so you will find me on Maury
I'm still a kid in my heart, so I have a problem maturing
But it will come from experience and shit I see touring
I'm like a birdman, I'm soaring, really high
And I'm really horny, from watching this porn
Nope (Bring in the horns) You hear that fucking brass?
(Fucking brass, nigga) That's little boy nigga with the trumpets
Marchin' with the bandwagon
Looking for his heart, no sleeve
But his hand carry muskets
Working in the meadows, Oblivion
Motherfuck Geppetto
He's a leader, not a puppet
Some professors nutty, you're the Klump's dick
So think before you blink, and "Aye-Aye" make assumptions
Nigga's!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!) Nigga's coming!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!)
Nigga's!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!) Nigga's coming!
(Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!)
Five (Erer-erer-erer br-bring in the)
Four (Erer-erer-erer br-bring in the)
Three (Erer-erer-erer br-bring in the)
Two (Erer-erer-erer)
Where's Tyler?
Bottom of the countdown
Shit ain't been the same since I found out
Hodgy Beats ghost wrote for Bow-Wow
Now I'm the loud, shot, body-styled, foul mouth fucker
That your teenage kid, likes to bow down
Riding around town in Seattle
With the same shotgun that Kurt used to "Click-Clack-Boom-Pow"
Still suicidal, but some assume that I'm cool now
'Cause I got a fucking award in my own room now
Nope, but I can flip shit like a couch pillow
And have my death silent like a loose vow
The bandwagon turned into caboose, so
So, don't let that little nigga trumpet lose sound
Just let him play
The song "Sam" by Tyler The Creator and Domo Genesis deals with the struggles of growing up and finding oneself. The opening lines "This life is a game, if you wanna play/Then count all your own mistakes" is a call to take ownership of one's actions and learn from them. The following lines express a longing for wisdom and the journey to find it. Tyler talks about the problems that come with growing up and how he's trying to clear his doubt and stay golden. He also talks about the desire to stay young and the search for the Fountain of Youth.
The chorus of the song contains a marching beat and the repeated phrase "Nigga's! (Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!) Nigga's coming! (Your left! Your left! Your left, right, left!)" which adds to the sense of marching and moving forward towards a goal. The song also includes a reference to the story of Pinocchio and Geppetto, with Tyler asserting that he is a leader and not a puppet. The lyrics then shift to focus on the rapper's own struggles with growing up and maturing, as well as the difficulties of navigating fame and popularity.
Line by Line Meaning
This life is a game, if you wanna play
Life is like a game, and if you're in it you have to be ready to play
Then count all your own mistakes
You have to be accountable for your own mistakes
Livin' it with no delay
Live in the moment without hesitation
So fast I'm getting growing pains
Life moves so quickly it's sometimes painful to keep up
Father didn't show me my instincts to take the open lane
My father didn't teach me to follow my natural instincts and take risks
I go insane, all the problems come with my growing age, blowin' haze
I feel like I'm going crazy as I grow older and deal with more problems, so I smoke to relieve stress
Trying to clear the doubt that's sitting on my brain, I don't complain
I'm trying to overcome self-doubt and not complain about my problems
But the kid inside me's feeling so restrained, gotta stay golden
I still feel young at heart and free-spirited, but I have to maintain my optimism
Let desire rekindle the flame
I need to tap into my desires and reignite my passion
Searchin' for the Fountain of Youth, when I'm free in my brain
I'm looking for a way to stay youthful and carefree in my mind
That's little boy nigga with the trumpets
That's a young and inexperienced boy playing the trumpet
Marchin' with the bandwagon
He's following the crowd without thinking for himself
Looking for his heart, no sleeve
He's trying to find his passion without showing vulnerability
But his hand carry muskets
He's armed and ready to fight for his beliefs
Working in the meadows, oblivion
He's working hard in an obscure and ignored place
Motherfuck Geppetto
He's angry at those who try to control him like Geppetto controlled Pinocchio
He's a leader, not a puppet
He wants to lead his own life and make his own choices
Some professors nutty, you're the Klump's dick
Some teachers are crazy, and you're just as ridiculous as the Klumps
So think before you blink, and "Aye-Aye" make assumptions
Don't judge or make assumptions without thinking first
They want a story, a story
People want to hear a good story
I write the shit that I find very amusing
I write what I find funny or interesting
'Cause all the other fuckin' stories are boring
I write my own stories because I find other ones boring
It's really awkward to know, that a bunch of kids do adore me
It's weird knowing that many young people look up to me
It's like I fathered these fuckers, so you will find me on Maury
It's like I'm the father figure for these kids, and they might even try to find me on a TV show like Maury
I'm still a kid in my heart, so I have a problem maturing
I still feel young at heart and have trouble growing up
But it will come from experience and shit I see touring
I'll learn and mature through my experiences and travels
I'm like a birdman, I'm soaring, really high
I feel free and like I'm flying when I'm successful
And I'm really horny, from watching this porn
I have sexual desires and watching porn makes me even more aroused
The bandwagon turned into caboose, so
The people who were following me have now fallen behind
So, don't let that little nigga trumpet lose sound
Don't let that young and inexperienced musician give up or lose his talent
Just let him play
Let him continue to pursue his passion for music
Where's Tyler?
Where is Tyler the Creator?
Shit ain't been the same since I found out
Things haven't been the same since I learned something
Hodgy Beats ghost wrote for Bow-Wow
Hodgy Beats wrote music for Bow-Wow without credit
Now I'm the loud, shot, body-styled, foul mouth fucker
Now I'm the controversial and vulgar musician
That your teenage kid, likes to bow down
That young people admire and look up to despite my controversial content
Riding around town in Seattle
Driving around the city of Seattle
With the same shotgun that Kurt used to "Click-Clack-Boom-Pow"
With the same gun that Kurt Cobain used to kill himself
Still suicidal, but some assume that I'm cool now
I still struggle with suicidal thoughts, but some people think I've moved past it
'Cause I got a fucking award in my own room now
People think I'm successful and have overcome my struggles because I have an award in my room
But I can flip shit like a couch pillow
I can change my attitude or behavior easily
And have my death silent like a loose vow
I could quietly die by suicide like a broken promise
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOMINIQUE COLE, TYLER OKONMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulmejer653
Album Storyline in Order (For anyone who is confused)
Wolf
Bastard
Goblin
Cherry Bomb
By the way, a theory of mine about cherry bomb, is that in goblin he kills all of his friends... EXCEPT EARL (He was in Somalia at the time), which explains why no OF members are in it, and in this video, he kills all of his alter egos, that's why Cherry Bomb was so different. However, I was still confused about the Earl thing... Until I figured out that there was one conclusion...
EARLWOLF Confirmed!
@CallMeMacgyver58
"Bring in the horns
You hear that fucking brass
That's little boy nigga with the trumpets
Marching with the bandwagon
Looking for his heart
No sleeve but his hand carry muskets
Lurking in the meadows, Oblivion
Mothafuck Geppetto, he's a leader not a puppet"
this verse is straight fire 🎆🎆🎉
@captncucumber825
Nice to know 10 years later Tyler’s still killing off his alter egos in music videos
@shinsenju6387
Like fr
@lillianjazed
@@shinsenju6387 i appreciate this consistency
@Mangome14
he killed all of them now the end of an era
@Beetle_Jay
Nah that too funny
@BlahPigeon58763
I got two words
@coldfartarts4546
Tyler was honestly the voice a lot of us awkward black kids needed. A cliche I know, but he truly made us feel like we weren’t alone.
@KidRipable
Crazy comment so fucking true g
@klutz6320
wish i had friends like odd future that would be so sick <3
@clydetheteenageboy2441
:3 "i need othe people to be happy with myself"