Biography
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Born
6 March 1991 (age 34)
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Born In
Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, California, United States
Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991) also known as Tyler, The Creator, is a Grammy award-winning American rapper, singer, record producer, director, fashion designer, and the head of his independent record label, Odd Future Records. He was the leader of the now-defunct Los Angeles, California, USA hip-hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA). Since his first recordings had debuted on The Odd Future Tape in 2007, he had rapped on, and produced for, nearly every OFWGKTA release.
Tyler, The Creator is Okonma's most commonly used alias, and the one that both of his first two albums are credited to, but he has used several others as well, including Wolf Haley, Ace (or Ace Creator), and Young N***a, the latter of which was part of a prank on OFWGKTA's official site. Many other characters or alter egos and names are featured in his music, such as Tron Cat, a therapist called Dr. TC, and most recently, Tyler Baudelaire, the character from the 2021 album CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.
In 2009, Tyler self-released his debut mixtape B*stard as a free download off of the official OFWGKTA website. Two music videos were released for tracks off of B*stard, "VCR" and "French!," both of which were directed by Tyler (credited as Wolf Haley). The album is focused on dialogues between Tyler and Dr. TC, and it received generally positive reviews from critics and blogs alike.
After signing to XL Recordings in February 2011, he released "Yonkers," the lead single off his sophomoric album Goblin, which was released on May 10, 2011. The music video for "Yonkers" (directed by Tyler credited as Wolf Haley) won Tyler The 2011 MTV Video Music Award for "Best New Artist," as well as a nomination for Video of the Year (which lost to Katy Perry's "Firework").
Goblin, an album described as "dark," "monolithic," and "a natural sequel to B*stard," continues the sessions with Tyler's fictional therapist, with Tyler venting to Dr. TC about fame, message boards, critics, hype, expectations, media scrutiny, and the idea of being a role model. All of the production was handled by Tyler, save for "Transylvania," which was produced by fellow OFWGKTA member Left Brain.
Tyler's third studio album, known as Wolf, was released in 2013. Tyler alluded to several possible track names on his Formspring account, and he stated that the album would focus less on rapping and more on production. In an interview with DJ Semtex, he confirmed that he would handle all the production on the album, except for one song produced by Left Brain, the same approach that was used for Goblin. On February 14, 2013, OFWGKTA uploaded a video to their YouTube account, which included L-Boy skydiving and stating that on April 2, 2013. Tyler revealed three album covers via his Instagram. The first single from the album was released on February 14, 2013, titled " Domo 23" along with the music video which features cameos from Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Jasper Dolphin and Taco Bennett. On February 26, 2013, Tyler performed the songs "Domo23" and "Treehome95" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Tyler's fourth studio album, Cherry Bomb, was released on April 13, 2015. The album marked a significant departure from his earlier works, experimenting heavily with distortion, unorthodox song structures, and influences from jazz and funk. Tracks like "Smuckers" featured high-profile collaborations with Kanye West and Lil Wayne, showcasing Tyler's growing reputation among hip-hop elites. Despite receiving mixed reviews for its chaotic production, Cherry Bomb solidified Tyler's reputation as an artist willing to take risks and push boundaries.
In 2017, Tyler released Flower Boy, a deeply personal and introspective album that explored themes of identity, self-discovery, and loneliness. Tracks such as "See You Again," "911/Mr. Lonely," and "Glitter" demonstrated a more melodic and emotionally vulnerable side of Tyler, while "Who Dat Boy" and "I Ain't Got Time!" retained his trademark energy. Critics widely praised Flower Boy, with many calling it his best work to date. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards, marking a significant milestone in Tyler's career.
In late 2018, Tyler surprised fans by releasing Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, a Christmas-themed EP. The project, while short and tied to a movie soundtrack, showcased Tyler's playful and creative approach to music, with tracks like "Lights On" and "Hot Chocolate" bringing a festive yet distinctly "Tyler" vibe to the holiday season.
Tyler's artistic evolution reached a new peak with the release of IGOR on May 17, 2019. A genre-blending masterpiece that fused hip-hop, R&B, soul, and electronic elements, the album told a cohesive narrative of heartbreak, jealousy, and acceptance. Tyler's production and vocal performances on tracks like "EARFQUAKE," "A BOY IS A GUN," and "GONE, GONE / THANK YOU" received widespread critical acclaim. IGOR won Best Rap Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards, cementing Tyler's place as one of the most innovative artists of his generation.
In 2021, Tyler released Call Me If You Get Lost, an album that celebrated his love for travel, luxury, and self-reflection. Hosted by legendary DJ Drama, the project blended elements of gangsta grillz-style mixtapes with Tyler's signature storytelling. Tracks like "LUMBERJACK," "WUSYANAME," and "SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE" showcased his versatility as both a rapper and producer. Call Me If You Get Lost debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and won Best Rap Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
In 2023, Tyler expanded Call Me If You Get Lost with The Estate Sale, a deluxe edition that included new tracks such as "DOGTOOTH," "SORRY NOT SORRY," and "WHARF TALK." These additions offered further insight into Tyler's artistic journey and were met with enthusiasm by fans and critics alike.
In 2024, Tyler surprised fans with CHROMAKOPIA, an ambitious project blending vibrant visuals, experimental sounds, and narrative-driven tracks. While details about the album are still unfolding, it represents Tyler's continued dedication to innovation and his refusal to be confined by genre.
Over the years, Tyler's popularity has skyrocketed, transcending his origins in underground hip-hop with Odd Future. His influence now extends beyond music to fashion, film, and art. With ventures like Golf Wang and Golf le Fleur, as well as directing music videos and commercials, Tyler has become a cultural icon. His ability to reinvent himself with each project has earned him a devoted fan base and respect as one of the most dynamic artists of his generation.
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