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.
Slow It Down
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make their feets get wet and funky up in they under arms
I'm too explosive for your ears like I'm throwing bombs
With the exclusive on the channel, bitch I know it's on
Niggas get mad like cheerleaders, they throw they pom-poms
Suck a dick, eat salaam getting they nails done in salons
Hodgy Beats is like limp balm
If you talk shit, I'll make you cry and tell your big moms
Haters must be starving nowadays I make California Vietnam
And I'm going to embalm my creativity
Into a CD-ROM, so you can feel this shit I'm on
Turn it up, where's the bass?
Bring the keys, yeah
Turn it up, where's the bass?
Bring the keys, oh my God
Turn it up nigga, where's the bass?
Could you bring the keys? Yeah
Turn it up, nigga where's the bass?
Drop the drums
Pink chinchilla, something like thrilla
My t-shirts are bathing, a bathing gorilla
You niggas all hype like you drink a cup of Splenda
But I ate the whole plate like a fat bitch dinner
I'm never the winner, always the loser
I don't choose to win, but I will choose her
Her kitty-cat fish loves his tuna
I never use a fork I always spoon her
Go nuts, instrumental flow much
European model white bitch is eating donuts
Fuck you faggots, I'm with a fat bitch
Making shit come like I'm go-go gadget
I'm mental, it's instrumental
Make your bitches' therapist ask for dental records
And I hope this record have you stabbing niggas with colored pencils
Turn it up, where's the bass?
Bring the keys, yeah
Turn it up, where's the bass?
Bring the keys, oh my God
Turn it up nigga, where's the bass?
Could you bring the keys? Yeah
Turn it up, nigga where's the bass?
Drop the drums
Yo, bubble gum that Reese's Pieces
You fail at life, I'll mug your teachers
I've got Muslims calling on Jesus
I fucked Kelly, where is Regis?
Found Alicia, now she keyless
Cold as ice, and now I'm creamless
Murdered every bod from my squad
So technically, now I'm teamless, O.F. is so prestigious
In Tyler the Creator's song "Slow It Down", the rapper discusses his explosive personality that is too much for some people, regardless of their cheerleader pom-poms. Tyler is confident in his abilities and exclusive talents, and he knows it's on when he is in the room. He also mentions Hodgy Beats, who is like limp balm and will make anyone who talks shit cry to their big moms. Tyler acknowledges that haters must be starving, and he makes California Vietnam with his skills, going so far as to embalm his creativity on a CD-ROM.
Line by Line Meaning
We come through throbbing like thunder storms
We arrive with an intensity that shakes things up, like a thunderstorm
Make their feets get wet and funky up in they under arms
We bring so much energy that people start sweating and feeling funky, even in areas like their underarms that don't usually get wet
I'm too explosive for your ears like I'm throwing bombs
My music has so much power that it might be too much for some people's ears to handle, like a bomb exploding
With the exclusive on the channel, bitch I know it's on
By having the exclusive on this channel, I know that things are really about to get wild
Niggas get mad like cheerleaders, they throw they pom-poms
Some people get so worked up and expressive about being angry that they're like cheerleaders throwing their pom-poms in agitation
Suck a dick, eat salaam getting they nails done in salons
People who disrespect me can go do something lewd, like sucking a dick, and then go spend their time at salons pampering themselves
Hodgy Beats is like limp balm
Hodgy Beats doesn't have the same energy and vitality that I do, it's more calming like a balm
If you talk shit, I'll make you cry and tell your big moms
If someone talks badly about me or acts tough, I'll make them cry and tattle to their mother
I got nice hands, niggas eat out my big palms
I have charismatic energy, and people gravitate towards me and my big personality
Haters must be starving nowadays I make California Vietnam
My success is so great that it seems like people who hate me are starving for attention, and my influence is wide-reaching like the Vietnam War in California
And I'm going to embalm my creativity
I'm going to preserve and protect my creative talents, like embalming a body
Into a CD-ROM, so you can feel this shit I'm on
I'll put my creativity onto a CD-ROM, so others can experience the same energy and excitement I feel
Pink chinchilla, something like thrilla
I'm wearing a flashy pink outfit, like Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller jacket
My t-shirts are bathing, a bathing gorilla
My t-shirts are so expensive and high-quality that they're on par with luxury swimsuits, and I'm wearing a gorilla design
You niggas all hype like you drink a cup of Splenda
Other rappers and people trying to be cool are all fake and overhyped, like someone drinking a cup of a fake sugar substitute
But I ate the whole plate like a fat bitch dinner
I'm not fake or overhyped, I'm the real deal and I consume everything in a hearty and genuine way
I'm never the winner, always the loser
I often feel like an outsider or a loser, despite my success
I don't choose to win, but I will choose her
I don't necessarily favor being a winner, but I choose to pursue certain women or relationships
Her kitty-cat fish loves his tuna
My partner and I have a playful and affectionate sexual relationship
I never use a fork I always spoon her
I approach intimacy in a gentle and intimate way, like using a spoon instead of a fork
Go nuts, instrumental flow much
I'm getting into a wild and free-flowing mode, with my instrumental accompaniment enhancing my vibe
European model white bitch is eating donuts
An attractive white woman is indulging in something lowbrow and silly, like eating donuts
Fuck you faggots, I'm with a fat bitch
I'm being aggressive and rude to others, while also embracing and profiting from unconventional and non-normative relationships
Making shit come like I'm go-go gadget
I'm having sex with the same high-energy and over-the-top enthusiasm as a cartoon character with gadgets built in
I'm mental, it's instrumental
I'm being crazy and intense, and my music's instrumentals enhance that intensity
Make your bitches' therapist ask for dental records
I'm causing emotional and physical distress to people's romantic partners so severe that their therapists will want to document the damage
And I hope this record have you stabbing niggas with colored pencils
I hope my music motivates you to be creative and aggressive, even to the point of being violent
Yo, bubble gum that Reese's Pieces
A playful and silly greeting, with a reference to two sweet treats
You fail at life, I'll mug your teachers
I'm tough and ruthless, willing to even intimidate people's teachers if they're not successful
I've got Muslims calling on Jesus
I'm so outrageous that even people of different religions and beliefs are affected by my music
I fucked Kelly, where is Regis?
A boastful comment about a sexual relationship, with a reference to a famous talk show host and his sidekick
Found Alicia, now she keyless
I've had sexual encounters with several women, and now one of them is no longer exclusive or 'locked' into me
Cold as ice, and now I'm creamless
I'm not showing emotions or vulnerability, and have lost some of the 'warmth' that comes from being happy or satisfied
Murdered every bod from my squad
I've outperformed my peers and colleagues, metaphorically killing everyone in my circle
So technically, now I'm teamless, O.F. is so prestigious
I don't feel any need to compete with my colleagues or belong to a group, but still appreciate the status and reputation of my collective, Odd Future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERARD LONG, TYLER OKONMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind