Buffalo
Tyler the Creator Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

"yeah!" "You feel alright?"
"yeah!"

God, goodness gracious
I can't wait to see the
Look on y'all niggas faces that boy T nuts
Surprised his thoughts isn't chafing
And fuck them crackers up at Mountain Dew
Them niggas is racist
Cabbage was made, critic faggots was shook
So I told 'em that I'll exchange
The word "faggot" with "book"
And all them "books" is pissed off and
Had they page in a bunch
Fucking attitude switched just like a
"book" when it struts but I'm a fraud
I pray to God when the
Six triple "book" bashing
While me and my favorite author's lips tickle
Peter Parker pick a pack of
Peppers when the plot thickens
Tyler, The Creator fucking kill
You with a popsicle cold blooded
So we rock mittens so they won't find him
Not kidding, keep the Tommy on me bitch
I'm Ms pickles
Said I seemed off, last time that team talked
Sick of making niggas cabbage so
I took the 'Preme off
Should've bought some stock in it
(Yo, it's fucked up, I get it
Put a sock in it)
Not Golf when the little homies don't wait
Let's weigh my options
I bought me a mansion
And bought some attention
Ain't give none to Hopsin
And dear Boyce Watkins
Why you mad? It's the slave in me
It's facts, boy, i'm back like Rosa Parks's
Least favorite seat
Videos, stage dives, popups, they watching T
While y'all niggas watching the throne
The throne be watching me

"If you fuck this up there are
So many fucking kids right now
Listening to this guy"
("yeah!" "You feel alright?" "yeah!")
"Get those wings flapping
Motherfucker! 'Cause this kid's ready
To fucking fly"
("yeah!" "You feel alright?" "yeah!")
Eenie, meenie, miney, mo, nigga
Nigga on the wall rap bars, jail bars
Die or shoot a basketball
Tyler, the dark skin arrested in Austin
Cops know who I was cause their
Kids said the show was awesome
("yeah!" "You feel alright?" "yeah!")
"Tyler, Tyler, i swear to I swear to fuck!
If you fucking do not fuck
This up! You have the whole
World in your fucking hands"
("yeah!" "You feel alright?" "yeah!")

How many leaders in the house?
Well can somebody bring the mirrors
Out? I'm getting lonely
Likes and apologies and snaps make it obvious
That everybody on this fucking
Planet lacking confidence
How many leaders in the house?
(Do not fuck this up)
Well can somebody bring the camera out
So I can film me? T a great director
Niggas' vision must be blurry
Boy, I get them epic shots
Like jaywalking in Missouri
Wait, how many leaders in the house?
Well can somebody bring my album out
So I can hear one? Pour me a drink, shit
I don't know what to think
Cause all these niggas leaning like
They Forest Whitaker's blink
Wait, how many leaders in the house?




See why nobody got they hands up? See
That's the issue

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tyler the Creator's song Buffalo are complex and layered, filled with provocative references to race, sexuality, and power. The song opens with Tyler expressing his pleasure at the reactions of those who doubted him, particularly the "crackers up at Mountain Dew" who he believes are racist. He then goes on to address criticism of his use of the word "faggot" in his music, stating that he will exchange the word for "book" to appease his critics. Tyler then turns his attention to himself, acknowledging that he is a "fraud" who prays to God while simultaneously engaging in violent behavior. He also references his alter ego, Ms. Pickles, who he describes as "cold-blooded" and always armed. Tyler scoffs at those who don't appreciate his success, including rapper Hopsin and activist Boyce Watkins, whom he accuses of being mad because of the "slave" in him. He then ends the song with a call to action, questioning how many leaders are present and challenging them to bring out mirrors, cameras, and his album, so that he can document what he sees as his own greatness.


The lyrics of Buffalo reflect Tyler the Creator's provocative and confrontational style, which has made him a controversial figure in the music industry. Throughout the song, he uses provocative language and imagery to challenge his listeners' assumptions about race, sexuality, and power. He also confronts his own contradictions, acknowledging that he is a "fraud" who prays to God while simultaneously engaging in violent behavior. Some critics have accused Tyler of promoting violence and homophobia in his music, while others see him as a talented and innovative artist who is unafraid of challenging norms and pushing boundaries.


Overall, Buffalo is a complex and challenging work that reflects Tyler the Creator's unique perspective on the world. The song captures his frustration with those who doubt him, his critiques of societal hierarchies, and his unapologetic style.


Line by Line Meaning

God, goodness gracious
Expressing a sense of shock and excitement in the moment.


I can't wait to see the look on y'all niggas faces
Excitement to see the reaction of others to his work.


That boy T not surprised his thoughts and chasten
Tyler isn't surprised by negative backlash from his music.


Fuck them crackers up at Mountain Dew them niggas is racist
Tyler criticizes the racist actions of Mountain Dew employees.


Cabbage was made, critic faggots was shook
People were upset by his previous homophobic use of the word 'faggot.'


So I told 'em that I'll exchange the word faggot with book
Tyler sarcastically suggests replacing the word 'faggot' with something innocuous like 'book.'


And all them books is pissed off and at they page in a bunch
Some people still found his language problematic despite the proposed change.


Fuckin' attitude switch is like a book with a strife
Demonstrating the pointlessness of censoring oneself to avoid criticism.


But, I'm a fraud I pray to God when it's six triple book bashin' while
Tyler admits to sometimes feeling like a fraud or questioning his own authenticity.


Me and my favorite archive lips tickle
Tyler likes to engage sexually in unorthodox ways, perhaps with archived material.


Peter Parker pickle pack of peppers when the plot thickens
Silly wordplay that doesn't have a clear meaning.


Tyler, The Creator fuckin' kill you with a popsicle
Tyler can be dangerous even when seemingly benign.


Cold blooded so we rock mittens so they won't find him
Tyler is so adept at avoiding detection that he can wear inappropriate clothing without fear of being caught.


Not kiddin' keep the Tommy on me bitch, I'm Ms. Pickles
Tyler carries weapons for protection and likens himself to the character Ms. Pickles.


Said I seem off, last time that team talked
Others have noticed that Tyler has been acting strangely.


Sick of making niggas cabbage so I took the 'preme off
Tyler is tired of making money for others and has stopped collaborating with Supreme.


Should've bought some stock in it
Regretting not investing in Supreme when he had the chance.


Not Golf when the little homies don't, wait
Unclear statement, perhaps referencing some sort of business or creative venture.


Lets weigh my options
Tyler is considering his choices and possible outcomes.


I bought me a mansion, that bought some attention
Tyler's wealth and public profile have grown as a result of his success.


Give none to Hopsin
Tyler is dismissive of fellow rapper Hopsin's criticisms.


And dear Boyce Watkins
Tyler sarcastically addresses Boyce Watkins, who is critical of Tyler's work.


Why you mad, it's the slave in me
Tyler blames societal structures for his problematic language rather than taking responsibility.


It's Facts boy i'm back like Rosa Parks in their favorite seat
Tyler is asserting his own importance within the music industry.


Videos, stage dives, popups, they watching T
Tyler is proud of the attention he's receiving and his impact on the culture.


While y'all niggas watchin' the throne, the throne be watching me
Tyler claims to be a bigger deal than the current luminaries of the music industry.


If you fuck this up
Tyler is anxious for things to go well.


There are so many fuckin' kids right now, listenin' to this guy
Tyler recognizes his platform and influence on younger generations.


Get those wings flapping motherfucker!
Encouragement to take advantage of the opportunity presented.


Cause this kid's ready to fucking fly
Tyler is confident in his ability to succeed.


Eenie, meenie, miney, mo, nigger nigger on the wall
Sarah Palin reference used to highlight the political incorrectness that Tyler embraces.


Rap bars, jail bars, guys shootin' basketballs
Different perspectives and lifestyles within the black community.


Tyler the DARKskin, arrested in AUStin
Tyler is acknowledging his own appearance and the challenges faced as a young black man.


Cops know who I was cause kids said the show was AWEsome
The police were alerted to Tyler's presence because of his popularity among young people.


Tyler, Tyler, I swear to, I swear to fuck! If you fucking
Tyler is taking the situation very seriously.


Do NOT fuck this up!
Pressure to succeed.


You have the whole world in your fucking hands
Tyler is in a position to succeed or fail on a grand scale.


How many leaders in the house?
Tyler is looking for other influential people.


Well can't somebody bring the mirrors out, I'm getting lonely
Tyler wants to see others like himself in positions of power.


Likes and apologies, the snaps make it obvious
Tyler critiques the obsessive culture around social media.


That everybody on this fucking planet lackin' confidence
Tyler sees a lack of self-assuredness in others.


Well can't somebody bring the camera out so I can film me
Tyler wants to document his own impact.


See a great director nigga's vision must be blurry
Tyler has a clarity of purpose that others lack.


Boy I give them epic shots like jaywalkin' in Missouri
Tyler is confident in his own ability to create impactful work.


See why nobody got they hands up, see that's the issue
Tyler sees a lack of motivation and engagement in others.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions