By: Warren Shiu, Staff Writer
At 8:00 AM on October 16th, 2024, Tyler, the Creator teased his eighth studio album Chromokopia with a mysterious clip. In the video, shadowed figures marched in line, following Tyler’s footsteps. Fans quickly began speculating about the meaning behind the teaser, flooding social media with their theories, which helped build anticipation for the singer’s return to music after a two-year hiatus. Just 12 days later, Tyler surprised fans by releasing the album, keeping them from waiting too long for his next musical drop. This bold teaser was just the beginning of what Tyler had in store for fans.
Chromokopia has a strong lineup of collaborators, like the newly retired Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) and the lyrical genius, Daniel Caesar. Mills High junior Ari Kurita shared his enthusiasm for the album’s variety of features, especially highlighting the track “Sticky”. “I like how there were so many features on the album. ‘Sticky,’ with three collaborators, really stood out to me,” Kurita said. “GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne all bring something different to the track.” The album’s genre range in hip-hop, rap, and smooth R&B all showcase Tyler’s skill at fusing sounds into something entirely new. The excitement wasn’t just about Tyler’s return – his choice of collaborators brought even more buzz.
The return of the artists sent many fans into overdrive as each genre of music got its time in the limelight. From rap to hip-hop, soulful R&B, Chromokopia offers up a mixed bag, showing how Tyler can blend genres and still come up with something on his own. Along with the high-profile features, Chromokopia showcases Tyler’s growth as an artist.
Tyler reaches new heights of experimentation on Chromokopia, pushing boundaries alongside his Grammy-winning 2019 album “Igor”. He blends electronic beats with hip-hop lyrics, experimenting with diverse sounds throughout. For example in “Noid,” Tyler incorporates the late Zambian artist Paul Ngozi’s song “Nizakupanga Ngzo,” mixing it with loud electronic beats and fast-paced rap lyrics.
In contrast, “Take Your Mask Off,” featuring Daniel Caesar, brings the vibe down, allowing Tyler to reflect on personal relationships. The song calls for people to “take their mask off” and stop hiding behind facades, as Tyler urges them to embrace authenticity. Listeners have found their own favorites on the album, with certain tracks standing out for their emotional resonance.
Other songs have also become fan favorites, such as the tranquil “Judge Judy,” freshman Hagan Chan finds it most soothing. “In ‘Judge Judy,’ the beats and lyrics just come together in a way that’s calming,” Chan said.
Although many are fans for this new album and Tyler, the Creator in general, some are unimpressed due to his style of music. Senior Tyler Ngo shared his perspective, saying, “I think a lot of his music is more sounds and beats than actual lyrics. When I listen to music, I love listening to what the lyrics say, what they mean, and the meaning behind the lyrics. So I think Tyler, the Creator just doesn’t fit my style.”about it online, especially for how Tyler pulls from so many genres, adding layers to his unique sound. Tyler’s style keeps evolving, moving from his early work to the genre-blending and experimental style that’s become his signature. He is still creating music that feels new but stays true to the way he’s always pushed boundaries.
Overall, Chromokopia keeps Tyler’s creative journey going. It’s bold and true to his style, with something for almost everyone – even if it’s not everybody’s style.
