Tyler The Creator has been gaining a lot of love from his fans lately, and they have been supporting him in reaching new milestones. His latest album, Call Me If You Get Lost, has made history as the first album to reach number one on the Top R&B and Hip-Hop Albums chart for three consecutive years. The recent expansion, The Estate Sale, has further contributed to Tyler’s success. It was the best-selling hip-hop vinyl album worldwide in 2022. It’s impressive to see Tyler’s success as an artist who challenges conventional music standards and sets his own bar for success.
In a recent appearance on the Hulu seriesRapCaviar Presents, Tyler talked about his love for being a rapper. He praised the skills required to be a good rapper, including mastery of words, rhythm, and pockets. Tyler also believes that rap is a way to connect with people and share meaningful experiences. He encourages younger rappers to be true to themselves and to flex about what they truly hold dear, rather than following conventional tropes. Tyler’s talents have been widely praised in the industry, and his success is a testament to his dedication and unique vision.
In the hilarious video above, Tyler and DJ Drama seem to have just finished playing chess. Drama, who is filming the video, starts off the video by saying, “A win for Dram.” Tyler, of course, immediately takes issue with him saying that he won. He argues that he beat him six times before he started filming. “Lie all you want,” DJ Drama says. Tyler leans in with his typical mischievous look, ready to say something sus as always. “Actually, tell ’em how I ate your a*s,” he exclaims. “Tell ’em about the little mess you made. Tell ’em about the real mess you made.” The video is a hilarious reminder that Tyler hasn’t changed a bit since the early days in all the ways that matter.
Tyler also pulled up to Lil Yachty’s place recently to wreak havoc. He posted a video of that, as well, and it was about as chaotic as you think it would be. He makes fun of Batman, suggestively pulls down the pants on a doll modeled after Yachty, and at one point, sits down to play piano. If there is one thing you can always count on Tyler, The Creator for, it’s bringing fun but extremely chaotic energy to every situation possible. What do you think of the video DJ Drama and Tyler posted? Sound off in the comments!
Rapper’s jobs before the fame can be surprising, fitting, or even random. Many artists had humble beginnings in the workforce. They needed money to pay for studio time, equipment, and other resources to start their music careers. Or, if music was not their end goal at the time, they just needed money to survive in the world.
Many rappers had retail jobs and had to interact with multiple people daily. For more eccentric artists, one wonders if their personalities brought in more customers. Either way, successful rappers are often walking testimonies for sticking to your goals in life. They overlap when advising this, but the results are right before our eyes. We’ve gathered seven rappers who had humble beginnings in the workforce and are now household names.
This rapper’s job before fame is interestingly fitting because their home state is well known. Method Man is a member of the Wu-Tang Clan and, therefore, a part of rap royalty. Fellow New York rapper Dave East portrays him in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga,and Method Man has several acting roles of his own under his belt. But, before all of this, he had truly humble and fitting beginnings.
Method Man once had a job working at the Statue of Liberty. However, he never went to the top because he did not have enough time to while on break. This reasoning is practical but still ironic. When people work at landmarks, they are there to work – not enjoy it as a tourist. Meth spoke on it and more while on The Late Late Show with James Corden as Gabrielle Union reacted to all of his stories.
This is a rapper’s job before fame that is surprising just as it is fitting. It’s always interesting to see artists that had jobs in the music world become a part of it differently. Ab-Soul used to work at his grandfather’s record shop, Magic Disc Music. He briefly discussed this job in an interview in 2012 with Billboard and mentioned it in his song “Tree of Life” from his 2014 album, These Days.
However, he truly went in depth with expanding his experience there in an interview with NOISEY in 2013. Soul has always been an artist that was willing to share his origins. He often shares stories of the past through his music, too, which many listeners enjoy because it humanizes him and makes him more than just another rapper.
Kid Cudi – BAPE
Kid Cudi has always been a go-to artist for streetwear and its surrounding culture. His once having a job at the Bape NYC Store is not surprising, and it is very fitting. In an interview on Hot Ones, Cudi spoke about how at the time, getting that job meant more to him than getting a record deal.
This job came full circle for Cudi in three different ways. For one, he performed there as an artist in 2010. Then he did a joint cover story with NIGO, Bape’s founder, for Complex in 2019. Lastly, he did an official collaboration with the brand in 2021. This journey shows you truly never know how much of an impact your first job can have.
This is one of the most surprising jobs a rapper had before fame. Tyler, The Creator has always been a unique artist. His personality naturally commands attention, and his on-stage energy is unmatched – and unbridled. The over-the-top days of Odd Future are over, but they are a vital part of his past. His job at Starbucks is also a key part of his past. Listeners can imagine how distracting it must have been to have Tyler on their shift. He prides himself on making music the way he wants when he wants. It’s quite interesting to think of him in a setting where there is a chain of command. He even told a story about getting fired while on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – and (jokingly) declared he still hated his manager for firing him.
Nicki Minaj has not tried to keep her origins a secret. Many people know she used to work at Red Lobster. She spoke of specifically working at one in New York. Nicki Minaj’s personality and speaking voice are well known at this point. It’s interesting to think about her in a setting where she had to speak with people daily as a waitress. Nicki said she was not the best at that job specifically and being there unhappy helped steer her into her rap career. In a literal trip down memory lane, Nicki and Jimmy Fallon went to a Red Lobster as customers, and then they served real customers as waiters.
People across social media have called Rick Ross “Officer Ricky” for his entire career. This is done jokingly with a splash of insult too. Rick Ross’ exuberant lifestyle can be seen across various videos these days, but he, like most people, started with a regular job. Rick Ross used to be a Correctional Officer. Given the subject matter of Rozay’s raps about his past, this revelation had people simultaneously laughing and questioning.
When a picture of Ross in uniform began circulating in 20xx, he denied it was him. Of course, he later admitted it was after documentation records proved it. He discussed his time at this job in detail on the Full Send Podcast. He denied it initially shows he was trying to hide his past, unlike our other entries.
Diddy – Intern
This rapper’s job before fame may be the down-to-earth journey – at its core – on this list. Diddy went from being an intern for Andre Harrell to becoming the mogul we know today. For many, this is an inspiring story. Despite his literal name changes, Diddy has made himself a household name across the decades. For some, he’ll always be Biggie’s manager; to others, he’ll always be the founder of Bad Boy Records.
His managerial skills have been criticized, but he has been making business moves (which have also been attacked) for years. He’s reached the point where he can advise a new generation of artists because he has seen the music industry change in real-time. Many people have praised Diddy’s work ethic over the years and the results speak for themselves.
What are some rapper jobs that surprised you? Let us know in the comments section.
Odd Future and its eclectic members arrived at the perfect time. The iconic LA-based group’s rise coincided with a tidal wave of internet counterculture that begin to seep through the younger generations. The hip-hop collective formed in 2007 around its leader, Tyler, The Creator. Deciding to forego his jobs at Starbucks and FedEx, his rebellious attitude quickly propelled the collective to stardom. Sporting ski masks while strolling down the left side of sidewalks, the group’s image was primarily associated with a steadfast desire to go against the status quo.
Behind the chaos is a quiet architect who managed to keep it all together. That man was Christian Clancy, Odd Future’s manager. At the time, Clancy had recently departed Interscope Records, where he was working with rappers such as Eminem and The Game. Becoming tired of rinse and repeat nature of major labels, Clancy had planned “to hike the Himalayas, do yoga, chill the f**k out.” However, his inspiration was re-vitalized when he watched the music video of Tyler, the Creator’s “French.” Essentially, the video sees Tyler unleashing mayhem amidst a menacing verse. While the talent was utterly unhinged, Clancy was eventually able to hone in on the potential of Tyler and the collective as a whole.
Odd Future’s Impact Went Beyond Music
(Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Music was solely one aspect of the entertainment value of Odd Future’s members. Their empire included Loiter Squad, an online radio station, and an iconic line of street fashion. The collective has grown immensely since their respective teenage days. Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator would blossom into worldwide superstars, each creating genre-defining records such as Blonde and Igor, respectively. Lyrical virtuoso Earl Sweatshirt forged strong ties with budding underground acts from New York, helping spearhead a new wave of East Coast hip-hop. The comedic minds of Yung Taco, Jasper, and Lionel Boyce have had successful careers on the film screen.
Still, the group’s founder, Tyler the Creator, questions the influence of Odd Future. In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, he stated, “I still don’t even know the impact we had on a generation. I just lived in it. We were just doing our thing and being us. I don’t think I know how much deeper it goes aside from some people wearing certain shirts.” It’s a fair point to raise, as a glance back into their influence can sometimes feel more like a fever dream rather than a trend-setting revolution, especially when considering the “riots” they supposedly incited.
The Group Spearheaded a Digital Era Of Sound
(Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
The impact of Odd Future’s members went beyond influencing fashion or influencing chaos. The group’s refusal to fall within certain creative boundaries inspired a generation to be fearless, or express themselves in as authentic a manner as possible. The DIY nature of their work inspired a slew of artists that succeeded them. Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Yachty were no longer waiting to sign a deal as they were blowing up on Soundcloud. Clairo and Kali Uchis were recording their songs on cheap mics at home. Odd Future, in essence, made un-polished creative work cool again.
Their influence was heightened by their innate connection with the digital era of sound. This isn’t NWA selling tapes out of the trunk. Rather, this was a technologically sound group of teenagers who had an innate knowledge of how to get their message out to millions. The group was constantly uploading to Tumblr and YouTube, whether producing beats or skateboard videos around Los Angeles. In many ways, Odd Future’s marketing inspired many other creatives to outsource their product in a unique manner. Now, musicians weren’t just releasing a new single. They were armoring their enterprise with a clothing line or an impromptu chain of YouTube videos.
Odd Future Celebrated Self-Expression
Odd Future’s impact challenged surface-level societal interpretations of what Blackness should look like. Each member brought a distinct vibe to the table that managed to be both polarizing and unifying. By being unapologetically themselves, they inspired teenagers and young adults to step out of the societal box they were put in. The group was a prime example of how anyone can still win when they go against the grain.
Similar to many creative ventures, legacy is often the biggest tell of how influential a piece of art really was. In Odd Future’s case, their influence clearly goes beyond what Tyler, the Creator may believe. While the group’s individual members now distance themselves from their teenage personas, they’ve influenced a new generation of creatives who still bump tracks such as “Oldie” and “White” to this day. While the likes of Pharrell Williams and Kanye West inspired them, they laid the creative foundation for a more experimental era of hip hop expression.
Tyler The Creator’s fans have been eating well the last few years, and they’re showing their love by helping him reach new heights. Tyler’s latest album, Call Me If You Get Lost, recently achieved a historic milestone. The rapper has made history as the first artist ever to have a number 1 album on the Top R&B and Hip-Hop Albums chart for three consecutive years. The album reached No.1 on the Billboard chart in 2021, 2022, and 2023, with the recent expansion, The Estate Sale, further propelling Tyler’s success. In addition, Call Me If You Get Lost was the best-selling hip-hop vinyl album worldwide in 2022. As an artist who consistently challenges conventional music standards and redefines success on his own terms, it’s great to see Tyler succeed.
Last month, Tyler made an appearance on RapCaviar Presents, a Hulu series. On it, he talked about why he loved being a rapper. “I’m a rapper. I love that shit. It’s a beautiful thing,” he said. “We’re good with words. We’re good with rhythm. We know pockets. We hear a collection of sounds and one thing and say, ‘Ahh, I know what could go over this.’ That takes skill.” Tyler has been praised by many in the industry for his talents, so it’s clear he knows what he’s talking about. He went on to talk about how rap is a way to connect with people. “I know how to put those [feelings] in words where you can understand yourself better. You got some young kid, like 13, thinking, ‘Oh, I gotta make bravado rap…’ No, you don’t. You could flex about the shit that you truly hold dear and make it seem like the most important sh*t. When I’m flexing on these songs, [it’s] just about the sh*t that I really like.”
Tyler Gives Back To Fans
“I’m gonna do this random song that no one in here has heard.”
Tyler, The Creator with a special performance of the rare leak “Penny” during an intimate show at The El Rey in LA. pic.twitter.com/FHJWxLi7s5
Tyler is being very generous with his fans. He usually is, but this time it comes in the form of playing unreleased music. During a performance at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on April 26, he performed a special rendition of “Penny.” The track was recorded during the sessions for his album Call Me If You Get Lost. The song originally surfaced online in February and quickly gained popularity among fans. Tyler revealed before the performance that he wrote the song around Christmas of 2019, making it one of the first tracks he created for the album. Although “Penny” was never officially released, a clip of the song leaked and went viral on TikTok. Despite the unauthorized leak, Tyler seems to have a good attitude toward the situation.
Before Tyler launched into a performance of the song, he joked about it. “I’m gonna do this random song that no one in here has heard,” he said, pretending not to know about the leak. He also revealed during the performance that the song is his bodyguard’s favorite. As such, he included it on the setlist as a gift to him. What do you think about “Penny”? Let us know in the comments!
Tyler The Creator is clearing out the vault, it appears. Last night (April 26) during a performance at LA’s El Rey Theatre, he delivered a special performance of “Penny,” an unreleased cut recorded during the Call Me If You Get Lost sessions.
The song first surfaced on the web back in February and became an instant fan favorite.
Ahead of the performance, Tyler revealed that he had written the song circa Christmas of 2019, and it was one of the first songs he made for Call Me If You Get Lost. The song was never officially released, however, a clip of the song leaked and went viral on TikTok. However, Tyler remains a good sport over the matter.
He joked with the audience, saying, “I’m gonna do this random song that no one in here has heard.”
Tyler continued, saying that “Penny” is his bodyguard’s favorite song, and chose to include it in the setlist as a gift to him.
“I’m gonna do this random song that no one in here has heard.”
Tyler, The Creator with a special performance of the rare leak “Penny” during an intimate show at The El Rey in LA. pic.twitter.com/FHJWxLi7s5
While you won’t be able to find a studio version of “Penny” on streaming platforms, you can still find other leftovers from Call Me If You Get Lost. Last month, Tyler released Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale, which featured outtakes from the critically-acclaimed 2021 album.
You can check out a clip of the “Penny” performance above.
Tyler The Creator is a man with many personas (as seen in his video for the single “Sorry Not Sorry”) to match each of his eras in the game. However, the musician is letting it be known that fans should hold tight to the releases they receive while he’s breathing because that will all come to an end once he transitions to the other side.
While gushing onstage to fans about his latest songs, including those featured on his newest album, Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale, he shared that he legally took precautions to ensure that his estate could not release a posthumous album when he dies.
“I’m just so excited,” the recording artist gleefully declared. He then went on to say, “Some of these [songs] are so good that I can’t just let it sit on my hard drive because I have in my will that if I die, they can’t put no f*cking posthumous album out.”
The news was met with a roaring cheer from the crowd. “That’s gross. Then they’ll get some random feature from a n***** that I didn’t really f*ck with like that. No,” said Tyler.
Tyler, the Creator says that if something ever happened to him, nothing posthumous would ever be released.
“I have it in my will that if i die they can’t put no f**kin’ post(humous) album out.” pic.twitter.com/D9TmUxpN87
This isn’t the first time the entertainer has spoken publicly about his wishes regarding the creative affairs following his death. In a conversation with XXL, Tyler said, “Do not continue anything in my name if I die. You got this on record. If I ever die, I don’t want people to put my music out. The companies are over with. Everything’s done.”
Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale is out now via Columbia Records. Find more information here.
Tyler, The Creator, fresh off of the release of Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale, copped an incredibly impressive home in the opulent area of Bel-Air. According to Dirt.com, The Odd Future frontman just dropped a cool $13M on a luxurious home in Bel-Air – less than $2M below the asking price. The new home sits on an acre of land with 5,000 square feet of living space. The Bel-Air property includes six bathrooms and five bedrooms. Additionally, there are high-ceilings, steel-case windows, and Brazilian wood floors, topped with a white oak finish.
The “Dogtooth” rapper is undoubtedly living luxuriously in his new set-up, especially with incredible views of the ocean across the three levels. Additionally, the home boasts amenities including a movie theater and a set-up cigar lounge. Outside, you’ll find an extravagant and private set-up made for entertainment with both a saltwater pool and a dry sauna. Additionally, there’s a fire pit, a bar, and a barbecue set-up, as well as a four-car garage. It truly is a gorgeous property in the luxe neighborhood.
The new home was initially constructed in the 1970s, though it was completely rebuilt in 2022. Tyler, The Creator previously owned another spot in the same neighborhood of Bel Air, Los Angeles. He later sold to two New York-based designers last year. He previously paid nearly $8M for the spot. Unfortunately, sold it for $1M less than the asking price of $7M. The home was built in 1965 and went through several renovations before Tyler scooped it up.
The L.A. based artist returned to the fold with the extended edition of Call Me If You Get Lost. This marked the first album to reach #1 on the Billboard Hip-Hop & R&B Charts on three separate years. The expanded edition includes new collabs alongside Vince Staples, A$AP Rocky, and YG with production from Madlib, Kanye, and more. The re-release hit #3 on the Billboard 200 with 68K units. It’s an impressive feat for a deluxe album. Hopefully, we’ll get more music from him before the year comes to an end. Check out Tyler, The Creator’s new Bel-Air pad above.
