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.
Tyler, The Creator Is Known For Being Very Controversial
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.
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.”
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.
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!