Tyler, the Creator

Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator at Primavera Sound 2022
Born
Tyler Gregory Okonma

(1991-03-06) March 6, 1991 (age 33)
Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Other names
  • Tyler Haley
  • Wolf Haley[1]
  • Bunnyhop
  • Poly/Mono
  • Ace, the Creator
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • director
  • fashion designer
  • actor
Years active2007–present
Works
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • keyboards
Labels
Formerly of
Websitegolfwang.com
golflefleur.com
Signature

Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991), known professionally as Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper and record producer.[2] He has been cited as an influential figure in alternative hip hop during the 2010s.[3][4][5][6]

Okonma became well known in the late 2000s, when he emerged on the internet as the leader and co-founder of the music collective Odd Future. Within the group, Okonma participated as a rapper, producer, director and actor, releasing studio albums that he produced for its respective members. Okonma also performed on his sketch comedy show Loiter Squad (2012–2014).

Along with his collaborations with the group, Okonma developed his solo career beginning with his self-released debut album Bastard (2009). Bastard earned him recognition in the online music press as an emerging artist from the indie music scene. His second album, Goblin (2011), brought him mainstream media exposure, aided by the popularity of the single "Yonkers" and its accompanying music video. During this period, Okonma faced controversy in the media for his horrorcore-influenced sound and his violent, transgressive lyrical content.

After the release of his third album, Wolf (2013), Okonma began to separate himself from his horrorcore productions, turning to more accessible sounds incorporating fusions of jazz, soul and R&B. In 2015, Tyler released his fourth album, Cherry Bomb, which featured guest appearance from artists such as Lil Wayne and Kanye West. In 2017, Okonma released Flower Boy, followed by subsequent albums Igor (2019) and Call Me If You Get Lost (2021), all of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, with the latter two albums debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and each winning Best Rap Album at the 2020 and 2022 Grammy Awards, respectively.[7] His eighth studio album, Chromakopia was released on October 28, 2024.

Aside from his musical productions, Okonma became a significant figure in fashion with his clothing ventures Golf Wang and Le Fleur, and for his collaborations with major brands such as Lacoste, Converse and Louis Vuitton. Okonma is also the founder of the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival music festival, which has been held annually since 2012, and which featured appearances by Kanye West, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, and Billie Eilish, among others. He has also directed all of the music and promotional videos of his career, under the pseudonym Wolf Haley. Okonma has won two Grammy Awards,[8] three BET Hip Hop Awards, a BRIT Award, and a MTV Video Music Award. In 2019, he was named "Music Innovator of the Year" by The Wall Street Journal.[9] In 2024, the Los Angeles Times featured Okonma in its "L.A. Influential" series as a "creator who is leaving their mark" in Los Angeles.[10]

  1. ^ Kujundzic, Petar. "Tyler, the Creator – Summer Camp Mix". Hypetrak.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  2. ^ Rob Markman (April 26, 2011). "Odd Future Record Deal Is Complete, Manager Confirms". MTV. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "Tyler, the Creator Accepts Cultural Influence Award at 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards". Pitchfork. October 6, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "Tyler, The Creator | All About The Rapper | Highsnobiety". Highsnobiety. February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Eleuterio, Juliette (December 22, 2023). "Forget Tyler, The Creator, It's Tyler, The Curator". Culted. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Shaffer, Tommy. "Tyler, the Creator, influences pop culture, style of younger generation". Marquette Wire. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "Tyler, the Creator Wins Best Rap Album for Call Me If You Get Lost at the 2022 Grammys". Pitchfork. April 3, 2022. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  8. ^ Schwartz, Danny (May 20, 2019). "Tyler the Creator's Surreal, Summery 'IGOR'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 20, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Moorwood, Victoria. "Tyler, the Creator named Music Innovator of the Year". REVOLT. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Subscribers, For (June 2, 2024). "The Creators: A Hollywood trailblazer, a gaming visionary, a horror genius ..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2024.