Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, is a multi-talented American rapper and producer associated with many different genres of music. Including alternative hip hop, neo soul, West Coast hip hop, jazz rap, hardcore hip hop and pop. Okonma was born on March 6, 1991, in Hawthorne California. He was encouraged by his family of musicians to pursue music.
Okonma got his stage name Tyler, the Creator from his Myspace page. In 2007, Tyler co-founded an alternative hip-hop group called Odd Future, alongside Hodgy, Left Brain, and Casey Veggies. In Nov. 2008, they released their first mixtape, The Odd Future Tape. The following year, Tyler released his first solo mixtape, Bastard, launching his career into the success it is today.
On Oct. 28, 2024, Tyler, the Creator is said to release his seventh studio album, Chromakopia. On Oct. 16, Tyler posted on his instagram @feliciathegoat the cover art as well as a teaser of the new album, a clip of the said to be first song “St. Chroma.” Five days later on Oct. 21, he released a single on Spotify titled “Noid” which is a song featured on the album. Chromakopia is said to be a follow up to the 2021 album Call me if you get Lost.
What is significant about the release date? Tyler is dropping on Oct. 28, which is a Monday. He is said to drop at six a.m. Majority of artists release their music at 12 a.m., on Fridays. It is statistically shown that it is more likely that the music will chart on a billboard when it is released on a Friday. However, in a 2023 interview with Nardwuar, Tyler explains his reasoning behind his release dates. He believes that when you release music on a Friday, it is a lot of passive listening. For example at parties, or when you are at the gym. He explains how they just want to chill and hangout and aren’t “really listening.” However, he sees it being put out on a weekday as an actual opportunity to properly absorb the music. The commute to work or school, early in the morning, gives you time to truly engage with the music.
I take about a 45 minute train ride to school every week-day. I listen to music in my headphones, as a time to wake up and start my day. In 2023, when he dropped the deluxe version of CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale, I listened to it on my way to school. As I sat on the train, I pressed shuffle on the album and closed my eyes. I began analyzing the songs and texting my friends my opinions as I listened. I think this is a very interesting strategy. It shows that Tyler wants people to sincerely listen to his music, not just have it gain streams in order to receive a profit.
The album is theorized to be based on the character Chroma the Great, from the children’s book, “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Chroma the Great is a conductor whose job is to conduct the orchestra that colors everyday. Without him, the world would be colorless. In the two minute teaser clip of “St. Chroma,” the world first appears to be a grayscale, until a group of 10 people march into a shipping container labeled “Chromakopia.” Then the music video becomes colored, and a detonator is set off. The video ends with the shipping container exploding, along with those inside.
Why does the masked persona lead them all into a container and proceed to kill them? My theory is that it is to start fresh. Whereas, an unnamed fan on Reddit believes it is to show Tyler, rejecting the past. Both are similar theories that could both correspond to the true meaning of the music video.
The group of people inside the shipping box are theorized to be potential features. I believe these shadowed individuals could possibly be Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, or Pharell. There has been no confirmation on this however. Tyler, The Creator has worked with Frank Ocean and Pharell on many songs in the past. Daniel Caesar confirmed on his social media that he recorded some backup vocals for the new album. Additionally, in Tyler’s new music video for Noid, the protagonist is seen to be driving a white ferrari—which is also the title of a popular Frank Ocean song. The album is also set to release on Frank Ocean’s birthday, Oct. 28. This could be a potential coincidence, but I think it is too big of a detail for it to be random.
My personal theory regarding the color choices of the new album ties back to his past album, Igor–Tyler’s fifth studio album. Igor follows a love triangle, exploring themes of unrequited love and jealousy. The cover art is a bright bubblegum pink. Pink is often represented as a color of love, compassion and a lack of willpower. On the color wheel, the color pink is opposite of green. I think that the two albums are intended to be the inverse of each other. The vibe of Chromakopia looks to be more uneasy and militaristic, rather than the disco “party” setting of many of the Igor music videos. Certain people have theorized that Chromakopia covers the struggles of being a black bisexual musician, within society. Rather than Igor, which covers the emotional internalized homophobia of being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I believe that the new album will contrast his unorthodox work style to his internal emotions. Green may also represent individuality. Igor shows themes of his reliance on others, whereas Chromakopia may show themes of independence and individuality, essentially showing how Tyler has grown as a person.
Tyler is notorious for having symbolism or “easter eggs” in all of his music. As a child he created imaginary characters and albums in his head. He even taught himself how to play the piano. Certain characters, names, and themes used in his music connect to his own personal life, as well as fictional characters and books he has a connection with. However, these are all theories, and Tyler is also known for being unpredictable. None of these theories are guaranteed to be true, they are my and others personal analysis and ideas about his most recent album. These theories have yet to be confirmed or denied. I am overjoyed to see what the new album has to offer.