Tyler The Creators “Chromokopia” is a guaranteed nominee for Album of The Year. 

With now being an artist for nearly half his life, Tyler was looking to release something different than his former albums, by giving a tone of maturity and change in his music and personal life. 

Tyler The Creator intertwines fiction and reality with each project. Chromakopia opens a book into his personal life beyond the characters. It asks who Tyler Okunmo is. 

Chromakopia features a beautiful mix of songs and genres. Each song feels refreshing while having a clean transition in between songs. Admittedly, certain transitions have polar opposite sounding songs but after listening to it a few times it fits the meaning of the album. This is one of the most thought out projects I’ve personally ever heard. Every moment is well thought out and has a meaning that can take fans months or years to figure out. In “Sticky” there’s a moment Tyler used a mix ensemble of instruments. He later explained he made that part for high school and college bands to use while having a moment of pride upon viewing a video of a high school band performing the song.

One of his more admired songs from longtime fans ”Like Him” was the most vulnerable Tyler has ever been. He believed his father abandoned him and blamed him for his own personal setbacks in life, yet credits his father and the anger brought by his decision for the success of his career. But as fans we learn that it wasn’t all his dad, but his mom, due to what we hear at the end of the song “it was my fault, not yours, not his, it was my fault, I’m sorry”. 

As Tyler learns that his mother drove his dad out of their lives he struggles. His feelings only changed for his father, questioning his lifelong frustration not knowing how to feel now. Despite what you think would happen, Tyler immediately forgives his mother thinking of how well she did raising him alone and understanding it wasn’t easy. Tyler eventually comes to terms with this situation  finally having closure about his father, Tyler is able to move on but still struggles to find his way. 

The theme of Chromakopia is Tyler attempting to come to grips with who he is becoming. This isn’t the same person from 10 years ago who was just throwing out albums; he addresses the fact that he’s older and more mature now. 

Tomorrow is as real as Tyler gets to voice his fear of growing up and responsibility. The song begins with his mother pressuring him to have a kid considering he is 33, ¨I’m getting old I need a grandchild please just one.¨ A worry about many younger people as they age more is settling down and starting a family and it’s clear this topic brings anxiety to Tyler, mentioning the thought of children alone causes stress. Tomorrow is such a crucial point in the album because it’s where he acknowledges the fact he’s matured and changed enough to go to the extent of seeing himself as a different person, ¨That version of T you knew is a memory.¨ 

Chromapokia first disappointed many fans after taking an unexpected turn. 

As more time passed the project became more accepted. The more fans listened the more they understood and Chramopkia found its audience.