Tyler, the Creator — the stage name for 33-year-old Los Angeles native Tyler Okonma — released his eighth album titled “Chromakopia,” on Oct. 28. This newest project, which combines hip hop, jazz and R&B elements throughout its 14 tracks, is an intimate and personal look into Tyler’s battle to unmask his true self amidst the struggles of fame.
The release of “Chromakopia” marks a departure from Tyler, the Creator’s previous project “Call Me If You Get Lost,” a heavily stylized release that featured grandiose songs about traveling the world and enjoying fame. The album, which was released in 2021 and subsequently re-released as a deluxe version titled “The Estate Sale” a year later, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2022.
In comparison, Tyler’s newest work is a more introspective look into his upbringing and experiences growing up in Hawthorne, Inglewood, CA. The album is narrated by Tyler’s mother Bonita Smith, and her voice is threaded throughout the tracks as she addresses both her son and the listener.
Notably, this newest album is devoid of any dramatic persona, which is a tradition that has become synonymous with the rapper’s style, especially after the release of “Igor” (2019) and “Call Me If You Get Lost” (2021). Instead, listeners are given a deeper, more honest look into who Tyler (the man, not the character) is and who he is learning to become.
And ultimately Tyler’s own struggles with identity take the stage on “Chromakopia.”
“Chromakopia” partially revolves around the idea of wearing a mask, both literally and figuratively. The album’s cover art features Tyler himself in a life-like mask, and the song “Take Your Mask Off” tells the story of three fictional characters who all hide their true selves.
From a preacher who is forced to hide his queer identity (“Had you thinkin’ God would hate you so you covered it up/Gotta hide how you live, what you really enjoy”) to a stay-at-home mom who wants more from life (“You want your life back and a massage/Tired of bein’ at home, personality gone”), Tyler exposes the masks that people wear to survive.
And ultimately Tyler’s own struggles with identity take the stage on “Chromakopia.”
In the emotional song “Like Him,” Tyler reflects on his relationship with his absent father, and the futility of wanting to know more about someone who is not present in your life. With lyrics like “Mama, I’m chasin’ a ghost/I don’t know who he is,” Tyler seems to recognize how useless his desire to get to know his father really is.
Despite this, he asks the audience (and his mother) “Do I look like him?” — a lyric that repeats throughout the song. As Tyler concludes the final verse with the harsh, but perhaps true, lyric “I don’t look like him,” he seems to finally reject his paternal obsession and the man it stems from. From this, Tyler can build his own identity apart from his father.
“Chromakopia” does more than just act as a reflection of Tyler’s identity struggles. It also addresses how his rise to fame has changed him, with the song “Noid” (short for Paranoid) exploring the harsh realities of stardom.
He expresses his suspicions with the lyrics “living between cameras and recorders/I want peace but can’t afford ya,” which conveys both his desire for quiet and his inability to ever attain that. Instead, he has become paranoid, constantly afraid that “someone’s keeping watch” to the point that he can’t trust his own shadow. This adds to the larger theme of hiding one’s identity, as Tyler must hide himself in order to protect himself from others.
Tyler candidly addresses his fans with the line “No cameras out, please, I wanna eat in peace,” pleading with the listener to not disrespect his personal space. This theme is made clear by the music video for “Noid,” which features Emmy Award-winning actress Ayo Edebiri as an invasive fan. Accompanied by powerful guitar chords and backing vocals from artist Willow, Tyler runs from the camera donning a mask, but is unable to truly escape his paranoia.
Another aspect of “Chromakopia” that makes it stand out from Tyler, the Creator’s past projects is the sheer amount of female artists and rappers that are featured throughout the 14 tracks. While some fans expressed disappointment that fellow Odd Future member and longtime collaborator Frank Ocean was not included, this newest project let female rappers shine.
Two notable highlights are the songs “Sticky” (featuring Sexyy Red and GloRilla alongside Lil Wayne) and “Balloon” (with Doechii), songs that play into being unapologetically true to yourself and taking the mask off despite what it may bring.
Tyler, the Creator will be starting his “Chromakopia” world tour in February 2025, traveling alongside Lil Yachty and Paris Texas. He will be performing two shows at Madison Square Garden on July 14 and July 15.
