Tyler The Creator: Authenticity of an artist

Rapper, actor, clothing designer, and Odd Future collective founding member Tyler The Creator, has made several gains in popularity over the years. While many still would assume he's just a loud, obnoxious, controversial, edgy for the hell of it, emo kid with no respect for anything or anyone, fans (or at least the better half of them) know there's more to the 25 year old than that. The reason Tyler has so much appeal is within his authenticity as an artist. While a lot of musicians use their greater lowest common denominator market crafted personas to sell themselves,

Tyler retains himself in everything he is apart of. When you're listening to a Tyler The Creator track, you aren't listening to an invincible millionaire with a swimming pool of naked woman and alcohol. Not to say that Tyler isn't debaucherous. Rather, you're listening to an actual person with fears and insecurities who is putting himself fully out there within his music; more than I’d argue a lot of other artists aren't willing too.

Take for example my favorite modern rapper Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick’s skill a rapper are impeccable, but perhaps one of his flaws of is that you never get a sense of who he is as a person - at least not past the narrative he sets up in his works. When I listen to Tyler, he feels like a person, i've known in my life who's kinda off putting but genuine and honest about himself and his passions. Maybe Kendrick functions better as a symbol than as a person, and maybe I'll write more on that later.

Anyway when I first listened to Tyler, I admittedly didn't enjoy it all that much and I fell into the trap that most fall into. I assumed that he had no appeal past the loud aggressive songs like Yonkers or IFHY. I wrote him off in my mind as being a mediocre rapper at best. Then two things happened:

1.The video for Perfect dropped. (Arguably my favorite song of the year and possibly favorite ever!)

2. Through a friend, I began to get more familiar with his catalogue and was introduced to more melodic songs with a completely different feel to them like Okaga, Ca ,or Analog 2.

Much like getting to know a person in real life you are hardly exposed to all avenues of their character and by going through patiently you can be surprised by what people are capable of. More than a rapper Tyler is... well a creator. Indisposed of titles that subject to only one thing or one idea. He is a person with a lot going on and goals and motivations that push him forward.

Just earlier this year he held a fashion show collaborating multiple mediums and creative peoples to give way to a special interpersonal experience. His t.v. show Loiter Squad was crass and immature but it still rang out with a personalized flair that only Tyler and his friends can provide. To go one step further the whole narrative of Tyler as this “weird pink wearing fag kid” who took his differences and made a name for himself, is an idea that many young adults with in my age group can personally relate to.

An idea we strive to achieve. An idea we’re are deeply inspired by when someone similar to us is able to achieve. To me at least Tyler’s greatest asset is his authenticity as a person who creates and the connection that many of us can resonate with and, as long as he keeps this truthfulness within his works, I at least will be excited to see whatever projects he puts out next!!!