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.
Yonkers
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Golf Wang
Yeah
I'm a fucking walking paradox, no, I'm not
Threesomes with a fucking triceratops, Reptar
Rapping as I'm mocking deaf rock stars
Wearing synthetic wigs made of Anwar's dreadlocks
Making crack rocks out of pussy nigga fishbones
This nigga Jasper tryna get grown
About five, seven of his bitches in my bedroom
Swallow the cinnamon, I'm a scribble this sin and shit
While Syd is telling me that she's been getting intimate with men
(Syd, shut the fuck up) Here's the number to my therapist (shit)
You tell him all your problems, he's fucking awesome with listening
Uh, Wolf Haley
Uh, Golf Wang
Uh, Wolf Haley
Golf fuckin' Wang
Jesus called, he said he's sick of the disses
I told him to quit bitchin', and this isn't a fucking hotline
For a fucking shrink, sheesh, I already got mine
And he's not fucking working, I think I'm wasting my damn time
I'm clocking three past six and going postal
This the revenge of the dicks, that's nine cocks that cock 9's
This ain't no V. Tech shit or Columbine
But after bowling, I went home for some damn Adventure Time
(What'd you do?) I slipped myself some pink Xannies (yeah)
And danced around the house in all-over print panties
My mom's gone, that fucking broad will never understand me
I'm not gay, I just wanna boogie to some Marvin
(What you think of Hayley Williams?) Fuck her, Wolf Haley robbing them
I'll crash that fucking airplane that that faggot nigga B.o.B is in
And stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus
And won't stop until the cops come in
I'm an over achiever, so how about I start a team of leaders
And pick up Stevie Wonder to be the wide receiver
Green paper, gold teeth and pregnant golden retrievers
All I want, fuck money, diamonds and bitches, don't need 'em
But where the fat ones at? I got something to feed 'em
It's some cooking books, the black kids never wanted to read 'em
Snap back, green ch-ch-chia fucking leaves
It's been a couple months, and Tina still ain't perm her fucking weave, damn
Uh, Wolf Haley
Uh, Golf Wang
Uh, Wolf Haley
Golf Wang, yeah
Goddamn goblin
Wolf Haley
Uh, Golf Wang
Uh, Wolf Haley
Golf Wang, yeah
They say success is the best revenge
So I beat DeShay up with the stack of magazines I'm in
Oh, not again, another critic writing report
I'm stabbing any blogging faggot hipster with a pitchfork
Still suicidal, I am
I'm Wolf, Tyler put this fucking knife in my hand
I'm Wolf, Ace gon' put that fucking hole in my head
And I'm Wolf, that was me who shoved a cock in your bitch
(What the fuck, man?) Fuck the fame and all the hype, G
I just want to know if my father would ever like me
But I don't give a fuck, so he's probably just like me
A motherfuckin' goblin
(Fuck everything, man) That's what my conscience said
Then it bunny hopped off my shoulder, now my conscience dead
Now the only guidance that I had is splattered on cement
Actions speak louder than words, let me try this shit
Dead
Tyler the Creator's song Yonkers is a mix of self-deprecation, shock value, and introspection. Tyler uses the song to discuss his inner demons, including suicidal thoughts, as he raps about his contradictions, bizarre sexual experiences, and his disdain for the music industry. He starts by referring to himself as a "walking paradox" since he is doing things that seem to contradict each other but makes sense to him. This reference to self is continued with Tyler's lines on his desire to have threesomes with a Triceratops, a fictional extinct dinosaur. The reference also represents Tyler's love for the odd and weird things that often make others uncomfortable.
Tyler also references his synthetic wig made of Anwar's dreadlocks which represents the lengths he will go to express himself. Tyler has often been seen wearing outrageous costumes and hairdos, all of which he uses to stand out from the norm. Another highlight of the song is Tyler's reference to his therapist, whom he refers to in the song as not helpful. Tyler is telling the listener that he seeks help, but he is not getting the help he needs. This may also indicate the stigmatized attitude towards mental health in society.
In conclusion, "Yonkers" is a personal tract of Tyler, the Creator's artistry, life, and eccentricities. Beyond its graphic content, the song stands as a symbol for the artist's resistance to society's normality and mainstream.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a fucking walking paradox, no, I'm not
I'm a person who embodies contrasting characteristics and beliefs, but I'm not necessarily confused or conflicted about them.
Threesomes with a fucking triceratops, Reptar
I engage in sexual acts with imaginary creatures and characters from television shows.
Rapping as I'm mocking deaf rock stars
I'm making fun of famous musicians who are deaf or hard of hearing, while also performing my own style of music.
Wearing synthetic wigs made of Anwar's dreadlocks
I wear fake hair made from the dreadlocks of a person named Anwar.
Bedrock, harder than a motherfucking Flintstone
I have a solid foundation and am very resilient, like the town of Bedrock from the Flintstones cartoon.
Making crack rocks out of pussy nigga fishbones
I'm able to turn something worthless, like fishbones from a weak person, into something valuable, like crack cocaine.
This nigga Jasper tryna get grown, About five, seven of his bitches in my bedroom
My friend Jasper is trying to act older and be with several women in my bedroom.
Swallow the cinnamon, I'm a scribble this sin and shit
I'm going to swallow cinnamon and then write about my sins or wrongdoings.
While Syd is telling me that she's been getting intimate with men (Syd, shut the fuck up) Here's the number to my therapist (shit)
My friend Syd is revealing that she's been with men sexually, but I don't want to hear it and suggest she talk to my therapist instead.
Jesus called, he said he's sick of the disses, I told him to quit bitchin', and this isn't a fucking hotline
I'm making a joke about Jesus getting upset at people insulting him, and suggest he stop complaining because I'm not a therapist or hotline for him to talk to.
For a fucking shrink, sheesh, I already got mine, And he's not fucking working, I think I'm wasting my damn time
I'm already seeing a therapist, but I don't feel like it's helping me and I'm wasting my time.
I'm clocking three past six and going postal
It's 6:03 and I'm getting extremely angry and violent.
This the revenge of the dicks, that's nine cocks that cock 9's
I'm seeking revenge on the people who have wronged me, and I have 9 people who are ready to help me and are armed with guns.
This ain't no V. Tech shit or Columbine, But after bowling, I went home for some damn Adventure Time
I'm not planning a school shooting, but after bowling I went home to watch a TV show called Adventure Time.
(What'd you do?) I slipped myself some pink Xannies (yeah), And danced around the house in all-over print panties
I took some prescription drugs called Xanax and danced around my house in colorful underwear.
My mom's gone, that fucking broad will never understand me, I'm not gay, I just wanna boogie to some Marvin
My mother isn't here to understand me, but I'm not homosexual, I just want to dance to Marvin Gaye's music.
(What you think of Hayley Williams?) Fuck her, Wolf Haley robbing them, I'll crash that fucking airplane that that faggot nigga B.o.B is in, And stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus, And won't stop until the cops come in
I don't think highly of musician Hayley Williams, and I'm threatening to rob her with my alter ego Wolf Haley, as well as harm other famous musicians like B.o.B and Bruno Mars.
I'm an over achiever, so how about I start a team of leaders, And pick up Stevie Wonder to be the wide receiver, Green paper, gold teeth and pregnant golden retrievers
I'm ambitious and plan to form a group of successful people, including blind musician Stevie Wonder, and will use money and valuable possessions to raise them. I also want a pregnant golden retriever.
All I want, fuck money, diamonds and bitches, don't need 'em, But where the fat ones at? I got something to feed 'em
I don't care about materialistic things or women, but I'm looking for overweight women to satisfy sexually.
It's some cooking books, the black kids never wanted to read 'em, Snap back, green ch-ch-chia fucking leaves
I have some cooking books, but black kids weren't interested in them. I also have a green hat with chia plants growing out of it.
It's been a couple months, and Tina still ain't perm her fucking weave, damn
It's been a few months and Tina still hasn't straightened her hair with a perm treatment, which is frustrating to me.
They say success is the best revenge, So I beat DeShay up with the stack of magazines I'm in
People say success is a good way to get back at those who wronged you, so I physically attacked DeShay with magazines that featured me.
Oh, not again, another critic writing report, I'm stabbing any blogging faggot hipster with a pitchfork
I'm annoyed at yet another person criticizing me, so I'm figuratively attacking bloggers and hipsters with a pitchfork for their opinions.
Still suicidal, I am, I'm Wolf, Tyler put this fucking knife in my hand
I still have thoughts of killing myself, and the alter ego Wolf is a representation of my destructive tendencies.
I'm Wolf, Ace gon' put that fucking hole in my head, And I'm Wolf, that was me who shoved a cock in your bitch
The alter ego Wolf is associated with violence and sexual aggression.
(What the fuck, man?) Fuck the fame and all the hype, G, I just want to know if my father would ever like me, But I don't give a fuck, so he's probably just like me, A motherfuckin' goblin
I don't care about fame or popularity, and instead just want to know if my father approves of me, but I'm also indifferent to his opinion because I see myself as a monster or outcast.
(Fuck everything, man) That's what my conscience said, Then it bunny hopped off my shoulder, now my conscience dead, Now the only guidance that I had is splattered on cement
I am feeling a great sense of nihilism and disregard for anything and everything in life. Even my conscience, which I see as a guide or moral compass, has abandoned me or been destroyed.
Actions speak louder than words, let me try this shit, Dead
I think my violent behavior is more impactful than anything else I do, so I'm going to act out these tendencies. The song ends with the line 'Dead,' which suggests that this mindset or behavior has negative consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tyler Okonma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pwlw
most people struggle in the music industry with actually getting the foot in the door and becoming mainstream, but this was EXTREMELY strategic and well-played.
from the mentions of popular celebrities at the time (bruno mars, b.o.b etc) to grab the attention of not only the celebrities themselves, but also the media and their fanbases, to the casual mention of generally controversial topics (religion, sexuality, race), it became extremely recognisable.
is it the best song ever made? well, it doesn’t have to be, because at the time it was original and got people talking.
even the music video is weird. sickening, but it looks good and it leaves people with questions. you could’ve never predicted what would happen next throughout the video; that’s the beauty of it.
people are still discovering this now. people are still revisiting this now, out of nostalgia. out of wanting to feel the same way they did all those years ago. it’s effective.
oh, and it’s not a bad song either.
@GarrettWatts
This has been for many years, and will remain one of the best hip hop videos I've ever seen in my life. Incredible on every level.
@goofybillymcgee
Upload b
@khao4577
Garrett Watts hello 👋
@p1nkjj
lmao heyy Garrett I didn't know that you were also a fan of Tyler
@sav.5492
Omg, you're the last person I expected to see here lol.
@fridacamacho687
YOO. FR?!? but like when are you gonna upload
@autotile6400
The fact that one of Tyler’s best tracks was made as a joke just shows how great of an artist he is
@boomshakalaka5520
this def isn't one of his best tracks but it's still an amazing track considering it's a parody
@xlin4511
what's crazier is the fact that he hates it
@ldc4567
@@boomshakalaka5520what’s it a parody of ?