Nicki Minaj has long-since cemented herself as one of the household names in hip-hop and rap. The female rapper and singer/songwriter has displayed an innate ability to create top-charting tracks in both the pop and rap lanes throughout her career. However, a deeper dive into her catalog proves that she’s more than a hit artist. Her vulnerable songwriting and diverse sonic directions have made for a truly impressive catalog.
The New York City-raised artist first made a name for herself from 2007 to 2009, releasing 3 mixtapes within that time period. Already displaying an innate ability to bounce between braggadocios verses and heartfelt vocal falsettos, her childhood influences ranged from Janet Jackson to Nas. Minaj would start the 2010s off with her debut full-length project in the form of “Pink Friday.” Featuring artists such as Drake, Eminem, Kanye West, and Rihanna, she spent no time becoming one of the hottest names in the music industry.
After her first release, Minaj would continue to expand her scope as an artist. With a limelight personality, she would go on to release hit tracks such as “Anaconda” and “Starships.” Additionally, she would put a microscope the pop scene by releasing “The Pinkprint” in 2014. Most recently, she released “Queen” in 2018. Amidst a strong run of features in 2020 and 2021, she’s been teasing a new album on social media. Still one of the biggest artists in the world, this list is all about the very best tracks from her diverse catalog (so far).
Let us know what your favorite Nicki Minaj songs are in the comments.
Champion
The seventh track from her sophomore project “Pink Friday… Roman Reloaded,” “Champion” is a triumphant song from start to finish. Booming drums and shimmering synths add to the celebratory mood of the song. Minaj reflects on her work ethic propelling her out of Queen, speaking directly to her family and friends who supported her rise to fame. Impressively, she outperforms the features from Drake and Nas. However, her ability to get two of the most relevant names in hip-hop on the same track was massively telling about Minaj’s pristine status in the music industry. In addition, she absolutely kills the hook on what is likely the best track off of this record.
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Recording artists Skylar Grey (L) and Nicki Minaj perform onstage at the 2014 American Music Awards. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Bed of Lies
Nicki Minaj and Skylar Grey bounce off of each other on the uncanny and heartbreaking “Bed of Lies.” The track is a direct response to her sudden breakup with 11-year-long partner and fellow MC Safaree. Grey delivers what is the best feature on “The Pink Print,” with an ethereal hook. For the numerous bangers that Minaj is known for, “Bed of Lies” showcases her ability to let her songwriting be the driving force of an engaging track. Painting her ex exploitative and soulless, she states: “You can never make eye contact, everything you got was based off of my contact.”
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Grand Piano
Coming right after “Bed of Lies,” “Grand Piano” is essentially a narrative continuation of that track. Undoubtedly Minaj’s most powerful outro track, she is self-deprecating regarding her naivety in believing that her heart could never be broken. While “The Pink Print” is a record that endorses female power, “Grand Piano” is Minaj letting her audience know that for all of the boldness and power which she displays, the scars are still there. Driven by somber piano chords, it’s one of her most impressive vocal performances to date.
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Recording artist Nicki Minaj accepts award for Best Hip-Hop Video for ‘Anaconda’ onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. (Photo by Christopher Polk/MTV1415/Getty Images)
Anaconda
Hear me out. “Anaconda” is mildly cringe-worthy and unbearable to listen to. There’s no denying that. However, “Anaconda” is the track that solidified Minaj as a global icon both as a musician and as a personality. The music video was a hot topic of debate throughout, as old heads argued that it’s expression was overtly vulgar and sexual. Approaching 10 years since it’s release, the song highlighted a shift towards body positivity and sexuality through less of a filtered lens. Minaj stated: “I wanted to reinstate something. Because of the shift in pop culture, even hip-hop men are really glorifying the less curvy body. I wanted to say, ‘Hey ladies, you’re beautiful’”.
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Moment 4 Life
The hit song from Nicki Minaj’s debut album, “Moment 4 Life” resembles the cinematic sound of much of her earlier mixtapes. Similar to the previously mentioned “Champion”, Minaj and Drake are each marveling at their success in their lives. Through and through a nostalgic feel-good song, the duo are at the top of the mountain; “I can’t believe we really made it, I’m partly surprised.” Booming drums and soft piano chords seamlessly mix, as Minaj states “I wish that I could have this moment for life” on one of her catchiest hooks to date.
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Right By My Side
Nicki Minaj’s feature choices have been relatively hit or miss throughout her catalog. However, Minaj and Chris Brown flourish together on “Right By My Side.” Ironically, Brown doesn’t even write his verse for the track. One of the noteworthy tracks from the up-and-down “Pink Friday… Roman Reloaded” record, it’s an uncompromising love song. Minaj states “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, what I need is you right by my side.” A heartwarming blend of high hats and drums, it’s a relatively simple song that showcases Minaj and Brown’s vocal talents.
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 21: (L-R) Recording artists Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake attend the 2017 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on May 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/BBMA2017/Getty Images for dcp)
Seeing Green
It wasn’t possible to make this list without featuring “Seeing Green.” Initially released to streaming in 2021, the song was actually created in 2009 as a part of the featured mixtape, “Beam Me Up Scotty.” Sampling Heather Headley’s “In My Mind,” the production is absolutely killer. Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake are each at the top of their pen games, with bars such as: “I am the star in any room that I stand in / I am the stand-out, you just my stand in.”
Michael Jordan is someone who has won a lot of NBA Championships. Overall, he has six to his name, and they were all worn during the 1990s. If you hated the Chicago Bulls, then this was a bad time for you. However, if you loved Jordan and his team, then the 90s were a time of jubilation. Moreover, he also got to wear a ton of amazing sneakers during these years. In fact, some of his most iconic sneakers were produced during the years of his championships.
The shoes that Jordan won titles in are the Air Jordan 6, Jordan 7, Jordan 8, Jordan 11, Jordan 12, and even the Jordan 14. Although shoes like the Jordan 8 and Jordan 14 aren’t his most popular, they are still iconic thanks to his accomplishments. Now, Sotheby’s has all six of these iconic silhouettes in its possession. No, we are not talking about retros or retail pairs. We are talking about game-worn shoes that Jordan sported during his championship playoff runs.
This new set of shoes is being called The Dynasty Collection. There are six game-worn pairs in this collection, and overall, they are signed by Jordan himself. It is unknown which games Jordan wore these shoes in, however, it is known that they were a major part of his championships. Consequently, Sotheby’s is expecting this collection to fetch millions of dollars. This could even be their largest auction ever as these are some of the rarest collectibles in basketball history. For now, this is a private sale only, and as it stands, the collection is being put on display in Dubai. Subsequently, the shoes will travel to Hong Kong, and then Singapore.
For sneakerheads, this will be the opportunity of a lifetime. Although, you are going to need millions of dollars in liquid cash to even think about affording these Michael Jordan sneakers. It is definitely a disappointing fate for some, but that is life these days. Let us know what you think of the collection, down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sneaker world.
Doctors have reportedly informed Tom Sizemore’s family that there is no hope for recovery after the iconic actor suffered a brain aneurysm on February 18 as the result of a stroke. In turn, the family is considering end-of-life matters for the 61-year-old. Throughout his prolific career, Sizemore played Sgt. Horvath in Saving Private Ryan as well as Michael Cheritto in Heat, and many more roles. Sizemore’s manager, Charles Lago, confirmed the state of his health in a statement to Yahoo Entertainment on Monday.
“Today, doctors informed his family that there is no further hope and have recommended end of life decision,” Lago wrote to the outlet. “The family is now deciding end of life matters and a further statement will be issued on Wednesday. We are asking for privacy for his family during this difficult time and they wish to thank everyone for the hundreds of messages of support, and prayers that have been received. This has been a difficult time for them.”
Tom Sizemore In 2019
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 14: Actor Tom Sizemore attends ‘The App That Stole Christmas’ charity event at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on December 14, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)
Sizemore has struggled with substance abuse throughout his life. In 2021, he spoke with Fox News about his journey, admitting that he eventually reached a point where he knew he had to stop. “I’ve been trying to get sober since 1991. It became really big news much later than that, but I was trying to stop. I’ve had a problem for a long time. I had periods, long periods, of sobriety and I would end up relapsing,” he said. Sizemore continued: “I still go to meetings and work my steps, but I had reached a place in my life where I knew I had to stop. I couldn’t be arrogant anymore. If I wanted to reach a nice and pleasant old age, I had to stop. And if I wanted to watch my kids grow up, I needed to reach a place where I knew it was over.”
In addition to Saving Private Ryan and Heat, Sizemore has also appeared in Black Hawk Down, Passenger 57, Heat, True Romance, Natural Born Killers, Devil in a Blue Dress, The Relic, and Strange Days, as well as Twin Peaks: The Return. Sizemore is the father of two children, Jagger and Jayden, whom he shares with Janelle McIntire. The two twins were born in 2005.
Don Toliver finally came through with his latest body of work this weekend,Love Sick. Though he largely remained low in 2022, he assured fans that he was working on his next body of work. Throughout the year, he delivered a few guest appearances and “Do It Right,” which kicked the campaign off for the project. However, he didn’t necessarily provide any major updates on the project until earlier this year when he unloaded the single, “4 Me” ft. Kali Uchis.
Love Sick found Don Toliver working alongside a significant amount of collaborators from across the world. Artists like James Blake and WizKid contributed to the tracklist, while many of hip-hop’s mainstays, such as Lil Durk and Future, delivered with guest appearances. Additionally, Don Toliver worked alongside figures like Brent Faiyaz, Toro Y Moi, and Charlie Wilson. Despite the incredible list of artists featured on the projects, Cactus Jack head honcho, Travis Scott was nowhere to be found. However, Toliver shared the deluxe edition with four new songs this morning, including the long-awaited collab alongside the Astroworld artist.
Don Toliver – “Embarrassed” ft. Travis Scott
The deluxe edition of Love Sick contains several new records that expand the original 16-song tracklist to 20 but it seems like Toliver saved his anticipated collab with Travis Scott for the re-release. The two rappers join forces, once again, for their latest collaboration, “Embarrassed” produced by Wheezy. Their spacey, melodic deliveries take center stage over the psychedelic string-laden production as they reflect on sex, diamonds, and living a life of luxury.
“Embarrassed” further extends Don Toliver and Travis Scott’s impressive track record together they built over the years. Scott appeared twice on Life Of A Don on “You” and “Flocky Flocky.” Additionally, they connected on “Euphoria.” Most recently, they shared the mic on DJ Khaled’s “Let’s Pray.” Check out their latest collab above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Quotable Lyrics She want me to meet both parents And these diamonds on me shinin’ like the iPhone Kickback hit it like a rifle Fuck around and die, might snipe you Vibe it, baby, I like you
In our modern digital age, Instagram followers are as good as dollars. For those lucky enough to be born with beauty, making money on social media has become a viable career option, making it an incredibly competitive market. For some time, the most followed woman on the platform has been Kylie Jenner, who’s spent nearly her entire life in the spotlight. Recently, however, she was surpassed by Disney channel alum Selena Gomez, seemingly leading to some drama between the two.
After the Rare Beauty founder surpassed the reality star, internet sleuths kept an eagle eye out for a reaction from Jenner. After Gomez posted about accidentally over laminating her eyebrows online, some detectives thought they found it in the form of the mother of two showing off her own brows on her Story. The gossip began circulating rapidly online. As a result, accusations from fans became so intense that both women shut down the accusations.
On TikTok, Jenner responded to a creator reporting on the alleged feud. “This is reaching,” she wrote earlier this month. “No shade towards Selena ever and I didn’t see her eyebrow posts! [You] guys are making something out of nothing. This is silly.” Gomez got wind of her alleged enemies’ comments and also chimed in. “Agreed @kyliejenner. It’s all unnecessary. I’m a fan of Kylie!”
Despite their best efforts to destroy the drama, internet trolls are continuing to seek out signs of trouble. A few days ago, many of them noted that the “Lose You To Love Me” songstress has been absent from some apps since February 22. In wake of all the hateful energy brooding around her and Jenner, Gomez told fans she had plans to take a few days off from social media to recoup.
Instagram’s Reigning Queen
Selena Gomez is seen in Midtown on December 11, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
As DailyMail notes, it was hitting the 381M follower mark on IG that pushed the actress past her fellow makeup mogul. Jenner previously had 380M but has since dropped to 379M in the days following her “shady” post. Gomez, on the other hand, has continued to steadily grow and now has 389M followers cheering her on. Do you still follow Kylie Jenner? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
Just when you thought you would have a break from the ongoing Blueface and Chrisean Rock updates, the coupe is back. The pair have been igniting viral moments since Rock first emerged as a star of the rapper’s online reality show. Their relationship quickly moved from business to personal, and people are concerned about their connection these days. We’ve seen videos of Blueface and Rock physically assaulting one another, but it hasn’t caused the popularity to dwindle. In fact, Zeus tapped them for Crazy in Love, an unscripted series filled with fights and drama between the couple and their families.
More recently, Blue and his leading lady were at the center of controversy after the California rapper alleged Lil Baby was trying to get close to Rock. A DM showed Baby allegedly saying he was trying to be like a big brother, but Blueface refuted that. The couple sat down with the Bootleg Kev Podcast to set the record straight. Instead of quelling the drama, Blueface kicked it up a notch and, this time, mentioned Rick Ross.
Blueface Claims Rick Ross Called Chrisean Rock “Sexy”
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 04: Blueface and Chriseanroc perform during Atlanta Black Pride Weekend Pure Heat Community Festival at Piedmont Park on September 4, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Kev thought that as an artist, it would be wise for her to network with Rozay and Baby. “Hell no,” Blueface replied. “‘Cause they’re not gonna—it’s not gon’ be real networking.” Rock laughed in the background and said it couldn’t work if “they’re trying to f*ck.” When Kev asked Chrsiean if she believed the two hitmakers were reaching out to get her in bed, she deflected to her boyfriend. “She knows. She likes to play around,” the “Thotiana” rapper said.
As far as those Lil Baby DMs go, Blueface added that despite the “big bro” remarks, Baby was telling Rock something different. Chrisean didn’t want to confirm or deny anything, but Blueface claimed she told him that Baby called her “sexy.” He also allegedly asked Rock to “come to the studio” and said he wanted to have her around. Blue added, “I don’t know if she like cuz or not, but she tryin’ to water it down.”
Some have pointed out that Rock doesn’t seem to be ending the speculation but instead has fueled the flame. The clip of the couple’s Bootleg Kev interview only intensified the backlash against Blue and Rock, especially as they added names of others into their mix. Check it out above.
Who is Coi Leray’s Dad? At this point, many people know that it’s culture figure Benzino. “Nepo Baby” is one of the latest Internet terms. It comes from the word “nepotism” which basically means giving family members opportunities over others. So a “Nepo Baby” is someone whose fame can be credited to a family member. Calling Coi Leray a “Nepo Baby” is overall inaccurate. Benzino is not exactly a household name for this generation. But, connections, especially in the music industry, still matter.
Many know Benzino as a co-owner of The Source magazine. This magazine specialized in covering the rap world. There’s no telling how many names Benzino had in his Rolodex because of this. The Source has been active since 1998. They have seen many of the changes that have happened in the rap world. Coi Leray’s music is quite different from what they were covering in 2006. She was still able to secure a feature from one of the biggest figures in the rap world.
Coi Leray’s Relationship with her Dad is Complex
Coi Leray and Benzino do not have a perfect relationship. We can only go off of the things both of them have publicly stated. They have both said negative things about each other. Their relationship dynamics connect to the music but also goes beyond it. We have learned about their dynamic through social media and interviews. Each of them has regularly spoken about the other. Some would say Coi Leray speaking on him is what brought this generation’s attention to him. “That’s why I never mentioned his name coming into this industry cause he can’t get over his past and don’t even realize how much he damaging when he does this stuff.” tweeted Coi.
Around when Coi Leray dropped her debut album Trendsetter, Benzino had something to say. But, it wasn’t positive. “You worried about being called broke on the day of my debut album. You ain’t even text me congratulations, you so bitter and evil. Ima pray for you.” tweeted Coi. This was in reference to the fact Benzino apparently lost The Source when Coi was around nine years old. She stated her family was “broke” once this happened. Benzino had a different perspective.
Benzino Almost Ruined One of Coi Leray’s Biggest Songs to Date
Whenever an up-and-coming artist gets a feature from a seasoned one, it’s a big deal. It can connect generations. It can bring new ears to both parties involved. Coi Leray secured a Nicki Minaj feature for their song “Blick Blick”. Benzino almost ruined this. Benzino spoke about Nicki Minaj’s feature before Nicki herself and Coi did. “She got this song with Nicki Minaj that’s gonna be coming out that’s gonna be crazy.” he said in a room on the app Clubhouse.
Initially, Nicki denied she had a verse. Then, later, it was revealed she wanted to pull the verse from the song. “I just felt bad that she was robbed of telling the world in her own way @ her own time. But that’s water under the bridge now. Good vibes all 2022” said Nicki during a Q&A on Twitter. This is perhaps the biggest example of Benzino impacting Coi Leray’s music. He shared information that she did not want to be revealed yet. Fortunately, he did genuinely apologize for his mistake.
Coi Leray and her Dad Benzino have multiple layers to their relationship. While it is not perfect they are still family. Coi knows his behavior not only affects her but others too. This is mainly other people in the music industry. Coi knows he can be difficult and wants people to understand that. In an interview with Vladtv from August 2020 she said “He’s crazy but he’s smart…he’s a business man…everybody’s not perfect.”
Being aware of how someone’s behavior affects others is a part of being in a relationship with them. Sometimes, a person’s behavior in the public eye is people’s only frame of reference for it. We don’t know what happens behind closed doors. “My dad is a great man,” “And I love him regardless of our differences, he’s still my father and I gotta respect him, right?” she said in an interview with The Breakfast Club. The public has mostly seen negative interactions between them but, of course, these are not the only interactions they have.
Coi Leray seen wearing a blue shirt with a dolphin print, grey shades, a grey mini pleated skirt, white socks and white sneakers before the JW Anderson show during London Fashion Week. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)
Coi Leray and Benzino Appear to Have Mended their Relationship
Coi Leray and Benzino are working on their relationship. Since 2022, we have not heard anything about it. This could mean things are being handled away from social media. For the time being, her Dad’s name is not in headlines with hers. Ironically, they were able to work on their relationship because of the situation with the Nicki Minaj feature.
Coi shared that Nicki’s advice helped her strengthen her perspective. “…You have to respect your father…‘Regardless of what you’re going through bro, that’s your dad.” Nicki told Coi. It appears she fully understood this and took it to heart. Growth is important and can truly be beneficial for multiple reasons. Moving forward, people hope Coi and Benzino continue to work on and have a healthy relationship.
LeBron James is one of the biggest draws in the entire NBA. Every single night, fans make their way to the arena just to see him do what he does best. However, fans will not be seeing him in a Lakers uniform anytime in the immediate future. Overall, this is because he injured his foot on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks. He is expected to miss about two to three weeks with his injury, and from there, he will be re-evaluated. It is a huge blow to the Lakers’ playoff hopes, and fans are hoping for the best.
However, it should be noted that James was able to play through this injury against the Mavericks. It is actually pretty miraculous that he was able to pull that off. He told people on the court that he heard his foot pop, but somehow, he kept going. Subsequently, his team went on a huge second-half run that allowed them to pull off an epic comeback against Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Moreover, it gave him a reason to bond with none other than Patrick Mahomes.
In the video clip above, you can see LeBron’s interaction with Mahomes, who was sitting courtside. LeBron was on the sideline when he started chatting with the two-time Super Bowl champion. That is when James said, “you know what it is playin’ with a fu**ed up ankle, huh?” Of course, Mahomes had injured his ankle in the NFL playoffs. Additionally, he reinjured it during the Super Bowl, although he was still able to lead a second-half comeback. For LeBron, however, it is clear that his injury isn’t something he can come back from that quickly.
Hopefully, he can find some of that Mahomes magic over the course of the next few weeks. At this point, the Lakers are desperate and they will take James regardless of his health. Although, if the Lakers want to preserve his career, then it is best to let him rest right now. This is a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world.
Tyler, the Creator has long been a marquee name in the music industry. First blowing up off of the wonky New-York-based banger “Yonkers,” the Los Angeles-born-and-raised artist would soon found music and entertainment collective ‘Odd Future.’ Undeniably himself, he’s never been one to hold his tongue. With the spotlight on him in his early 20s, he wasn’t one to shy away from controversy. For example, he was banned from the UK for his “derogatory” and “offensive” lyrics. However, his unwavering insistence on being himself would soon curate the artist a cult-like fanbase.
Calling Tyler the most controversial rapper of the early to mid 2010s hews far closer to fact than opinion. Tyler’s raspy voice meshed with grimy bangers on his earlier records, such as ‘Bastard’ and ‘Goblin’. Rapping amidst distorted drum patterns and screeching guitar riffs, his sound blended the soundscapes of New York and Los Angeles. The confident MC and producer is well-known for his “do it yourself” personality. From riding bikes around Santa Barbara to pioneering a distinct clothing style, he’s captured the imagination of an entire generation.
As Tyler references on ‘Call Me If You Get Lost,’ he really began to hit his stride around the age of 25. Releasing the controversial “Cherry Bomb,” he began to approach his career with a higher level of intent. This would bleed over into a new era for Tyler, beginning with “Flower Boy.” While he toyed with blends of pop and soul on previous records, songs such as “See You Again” and “911/Mr. Lonely” would force fans to take him more seriously. He would go on to release ‘Igor’ and ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’. Both projects ended up winning Grammys for Rap Album of the Year.
Now approaching the Spring, Tyler fans will know that he has a tendency to release every 2 years over the Summer. While there’s been rumblings of a disco record, Tyler publicly refuted this over Twitter. Fans will have to keep guessing about what’s next for one of the most talented and influential artists today.
Tyler, the Creator performs onstage during 2022 Made In America at Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
7. Goblin
Considering the sudden rise of the eclectic ‘Odd Future,’ ‘Goblin’ represents the first album that was highly anticipated from Tyler. Many of you may be surprised to see this record at the bottom of our list. In fact, ‘Goblin’ features both two tracks that established him as more than just an oddball internet personality. “Yonkers” is a 808-induded NYC banger, with menacing lyrics such as “I slipped myself some pink Xannies and danced around the house in all-over print pannies.” Tyler has stated that he’s never really been into drugs. However, the purposefully dramatic songwriting added to the aura and mysticism of his fame.
“She” proved that Tyler didn’t need to rely on rapping to create hits. It featured melodic vocals from Frank Ocean, 80s synths and a heavy bass. It had thousands crying out the lyrics at concerts around the world. Frank Ocean wouldn’t be the only Odd Future member on the record, with the likes of Domo Genesis and Hodgy making appearances on multiple tracks. However, Tyler purposefully keeps the feature list limited in order to draw attention to his songwriting.
‘Goblin’ very much has its flaws as an overall record. As he attempts to redefine himself amidst lofi beats and piano chords, the frequent result is tracks that feel under-produced, or are a flat-out mess. Similar to his debut mixtape, Tyler lashes out in anger through multiple personas throughout the record. However, the production doesn’t represent that in as cohesive of a manner compared to ‘Bastard.’ While he doesn’t stick the landing, it’s still an important record in his discography.
6. Bastard
Tyler’s debut mixtape, ‘Bastard’ predated much of the Odd Future hype and drama. Releasing the project at 18 years old, Tyler is very much existing in his own world rather than attempting to adhere to mainstream sounds. The production is purposefully messy, and his rapping dabbles into overtly offensive or “out of pocket” lyricism. However, there’s a certain appeal to the frankness of it all. Tyler’s messy voice was highly distinctive from the rest of the Odd Future collective, meshing well with the “ugliness” of the production on the record.
‘Bastard’ sees Tyler take a swipe at multiple aspects of his life. Whether it be his negligent father or the overall toxicity of the rap industry, he’s angry from start to finish. Distorted 808s and rugged synths parallel this emotion from start to finish, making for a cohesive listen. Tyler paints himself as a menacing, villainous character while rapping about dark topics such as kidnap or murder. At times, it’s hard to tell whether he’s playing a character or just being himself. However, it’s a record where he dives into the darkest corners of his mind.
Created on a limited budget, ‘Bastard’ is a stark contrast to the polished quality of his recent work. Therefore, it’s an essential listen for any new Tyler, the Creator fans who want to learn about how he matured both artistically and personally.
5. Cherry Bomb
Tyler’s fourth studio album, ‘Cherry Bomb’ is an awkward record that symbolized the transition phase of his career. Wanting to prove he was more than a rapper, ‘Cherry Bomb’ sees Okonma hone in on his producing and singing. More soulful than ever, the likes of Kali Uchis and Charlie Wilson contribute features. Opting to focus more on sound and less on lyricism, the result is a mixed bag.
‘Cherry Bomb’ mixes the old and new eras of Tyler. He doesn’t want to let go with the old version of himself. However, the consistently muddy and painfully mixed beats come off as worse than his older works, such as on the wild title track “Cherry Bomb.” As previously mentioned, he’s looking to root his soul influences into more of a soul-based sound. However, the result is more so an impersonation of those soundscapes rather than something that’s genuine. “Find Your Wings” and “Perfect” are charming enough, but pale in comparison the pop-soul blends on ‘Flower Boy.’
Ultimately, ‘Cherry Bomb’ was the record Tyler needed to create in order to eventually get to ‘Flower Boy’ and ‘Igor.’ His uninspiring singing would morph into the exhilarating vocal pitching on ‘Igor.’ The chord-filled tracks that were lyrically surface level would inspire him to hone in on his songwriting on ‘Flower Boy.’ Point beating, ‘Cherry Bomb’ represented the metamorphosis into who he is today.
4. Wolf
‘Wolf’ is the first record that hints at more of a conceptual, mature Tyler. More vulnerable than ever about his trying childhood, he opens up about his complex relationship with his father. On “Answer,” he’s torn between hating his father, yet knowing that “when I call, I hope you pickup your phone” amidst layered guitar strings.
A stark departure from his first two records, his third studio album is more glossy from a mixing perspective. However, his natural rapping voice doesn’t mesh with the new sonic ideas. To put it simply, his rapping and production levels don’t meet the levels he would set on projects. In many ways, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ symbolizes Tyler redefining the flaws on this record.
Even if ‘Wolf’ feels like an awkward departure from the “messy” days of his music, there’s still numerous quality tracks on the record. “Tamale” is goofy in the best ways possible, with a mystic chorus that somehow works. “IFHY” features Tyler’s main inspiration, Pharrell Williams. The colorful synths blended with Pharrell’s voice makes for one of the standout moments in his entire discography. Tyler experiences the full spectrum of infatuation with his love interest, repeating the phrase “I f**king hate you, but I love you.”
Tyler The Creator performs during the 2022 Forecastle Music Festival at Waterfront Park. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
3. Call Me If You Get Lost
Traveling from Geneva to Paris, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost‘ is a collage of experiences from Tyler. Mirroring the aesthetics of 80s European films, Tyler takes on the alter-ego of Sr. Baudelaire to aid to the theme of travel. The listener is taken across the world as he curates a banger-focused mixtape from “Lumberjack” to “Lemonhead.” His lavish lifestyle puts the audience into a dreamy setting, as he unequivocally boasts about his extensive car and jewelry collection.
While his previous two albums drifted from rap into more conceptual, genre-bending releases, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ sees Tyler return to his roots. After falling out of love with rap, he described how working with Westside Gunn reinvigorated his love for the genre. In fact, intro track “Sr. Baudelaire” samples a Westside Gunn beat as he introduces us to his pristine world. Bringing the likes of NBA Youngboy, Lil Wayne, and 42 Dugg into the mix, he drew many comparisons to Kanye West regarding his ability to maximize the talents of his features.
However, ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ is more in-depth than a getaway vacation. In fact, all of this boasting is a mask for his broken heart. He exposes the story on “Wilshire” on top of a lofi drum beat. It’s not a straightforward rap album. “Sweet / I Thought You Wanted To Dance” meshes reggae and soul into a groovy 10-minute experience that’s undeniably one of his best. Tracks such as “Wusyaname” and “Hot Wind Blows” sample 70s soul cuts. While “Call Me If You Get Lost” isn’t quite as threaded together or conceptual, it’s a fun vanity project that sees him in peak rapping form.
2. Flower Boy
‘Flower Boy‘ still feels like Tyler’s career-defining record. Up to this point, many argued that his artistic growth after ‘Bastard’ hadn’t lived up to his initial hype. ‘Cherry Bomb’ was met with a predominantly mixed reception, which meant that there was an inevitable pressure on Tyler to deliver with his next project. Fulling diving into the elements of pop/soul that he half-way committed to on ‘Cherry Bomb,’ ‘Flower Boy’ throws the listener into the soundscape of a lonely summer day.
Tyler sings about loneliness throughout the record. Sitting in a room with the sun shining through, he’s waiting for someone to “call me sometime.” However, the emphasis on the record is absolutely on the sound rather than the lyrics. Love-stricken and lonely, his music is rooted in sunny days biking around the park. Growing up listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye, their influence is apparent throughout the record.
From “find some time to do something” to “can I get a kiss, and can you make it last forever,” there are so many quotable moments that stick. As Tyler puts it, his ultimate goal of music to blend ‘pretty’ and ‘hard’ music. ‘Flower Boy’ is the prime example of him doing that. While the record is missing some of the messy kinks that would distinguish his sound on ‘Igor,’ it’s drop-dead gorgeous from start to finish.
Tyler, the Creator performs on day 3 of Wireless Festival 2022 at Crystal Palace Park. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)
1. Igor
‘Igor‘ is Tyler, the Creator’s best album. In our opinion, it’s really not close. In fact, Tyler himself agrees with us. During an interview with Rick Rubin, he said this was the first record he created where “when people told me they liked it, I said “I know””. While ‘Flower Boy’ saw Tyler tone down his radical ideas in favor of a smoother record, ‘Igor’ is the best of both worlds. The character ‘Igor’ originates from Frankenstein. His deformed body represented a symbolic threat to the politeness of society. Tyler takes the frame of this character to archetype the overall record.
Integrating wonky vocal pitching and distorted drums with soft soul chords, ‘Igor’ sounds like Tyler more than any record before or after it. Darting from rap bangers such as “What’s Good” to the rapid punk drums on “New Magic Wand,” the 2019 record was one of the best breakup albums of the decade. The 40-minute experience was initially met with a mixed reception. However, it’s cocooned into being widely accepted as his best work. Hidden features add to the unpredictable initial listening experience. From the shocking contribution from Kanye West on “Puppet” to the Kali Uchis’s mellow vocals on “I Don’t Love You Anymore,” not explicitly putting their names on the album aids to the idea that ‘Igor’ is meant to be experienced from start to finish.
‘Igor’ Would Be The Perfect Movie Soundtrack
With Tyler openly speaking about his desire to one day direct films, it’s no coincidence that ‘Igor’ is structured like the soundtrack to a saddening romantic film. ‘Igor’s Theme’ begins with static synths, as if we’re being introduced to an 80s film. The album transitions through every stage of love to acceptance. Tyler falls in love on the groovy “I Think,” to then feeling like he needs a “New Magic Wand” to make this person love him, to finally accepting his loss on “Gone, Gone / Thank You.” ‘Igor’ is his best record from both a sonic and thematic perspective.
Let us know how you would rank Tyler’s albums in the comments below!
