History of Tyler, the Creator in Timeline
Tyler, the Creator, whose real name is Tyler Gregory Okonma, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and fashion designer. He is considered a highly influential figure in contemporary pop culture due to his distinctive and vibrant music and fashion sense. His work, characterized as alternative hip-hop and R&B, gained significant traction online, establishing him as a prominent artist within the internet-driven music scene of the 2010s.
March 6, 1991: Birth of Tyler, the Creator
Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, was born on March 6, 1991.
2002: Tyler, the Creator's Passion for Skateboarding
In 2002, Tyler, the Creator developed a passion for skateboarding, a hobby that would continue to be a significant part of his life. He is also known to collect BMX bicycles.
2004: Early Expressions of Sexuality
Tyler, the Creator alluded to same-sex experiences as early as 2004 in his later music, indicating a complex relationship with sexuality and public perception.
2007: Formation of Odd Future
Tyler, the Creator, co-founded the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future.
November 2008: Odd Future's Debut Mixtape
Odd Future, the alternative hip hop collective co-founded by Tyler, the Creator, released their debut mixtape, "The Odd Future Tape."
December 25, 2009: Release of "Bastard"
Tyler, the Creator, self-released his first solo mixtape, "Bastard," on December 25, 2009.
2009: Tyler, the Creator's Early Career and Influences
In 2009, Tyler, the Creator began gaining recognition as a unique figure in the music scene, emerging as a leader of the Odd Future collective. His early musical style drew comparisons to Pharrell Williams's work with N.E.R.D and The Neptunes, who he cited as major inspirations. His debut mixtape, "Bastard," leaned towards a horrorcore aesthetic with lyrics influenced by Eminem, particularly his 2009 album "Relapse." Tyler's provocative lyrical content, often addressing themes of rape and murder, drew criticism, but he defended his work as intentionally provocative, aimed at challenging societal norms.
2009: Release of "Bastard"
In 2009, Tyler, the Creator, released his mixtape "Bastard," which later led to a UK ban in 2015 due to its controversial lyrics.
2009: UK Ban Based on "Bastard" Lyrics
In 2015, it was revealed that Tyler, the Creator, had been banned from entering the United Kingdom for three to five years, forcing him to cancel tour dates in support of his album "Cherry Bomb." The ban, imposed by then-Home Secretary Theresa May, was reportedly based on lyrics from his 2009 mixtape "Bastard." The decision sparked controversy, with many, including Tyler himself, suggesting racial bias as a factor.
2009: Tyler, the Creator's Emergence
Tyler, the Creator gained recognition in the late 2000s as the leader of Odd Future and for his self-released mixtape "Bastard."
2010: Critical Acclaim for "Bastard"
"Bastard" was ranked 32nd on Pitchfork Media's list of the Top Albums of 2010.
February 11, 2011: Release of "Yonkers" Music Video
The music video for "Yonkers," a single from Tyler, the Creator's debut studio album "Goblin," was released and gained significant attention online.
February 16, 2011: Television Debut on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
Tyler, the Creator, and Hodgy Beats made their television debut, performing "Sandwitches" on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."
April 2011: Signing with Red Distribution/Sony
Tyler, the Creator, and Odd Future signed a deal with Red Distribution/Sony.
May 10, 2011: Release of "Goblin"
Tyler, the Creator's debut studio album, "Goblin," was released on May 10, 2011.
September 8, 2011: Confirmation of "Loiter Squad"
Odd Future's television show, "Loiter Squad," was confirmed, with Dickhouse Productions set to produce.
December 22, 2011: Arrest for Vandalism at The Roxy Theatre
On December 22, 2011, Tyler, the Creator, was arrested on suspicion of vandalism following a performance at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. Fan footage showed Tyler throwing a microphone at a sound engineer, leading to his arrest and subsequent payment of US$8,000 in damages to the venue.
2011: Release of "Yonkers" and Kanye West's Recognition
Tyler, the Creator's music video for "Yonkers" sparked significant controversy in 2011 due to its disturbing imagery, including Tyler eating a cockroach and a depiction of suicide. However, the video's dark aesthetic and Tyler's confrontational style also garnered attention from prominent figures like Kanye West, who praised it on Twitter as "the video of 2011," further solidifying Tyler's presence in the music scene.
2011: Mainstream Breakthrough with "Goblin"
Tyler released his debut studio album, "Goblin," which gained mainstream attention, particularly with the single "Yonkers."
March 25, 2012: Premiere of "Loiter Squad"
"Loiter Squad," Odd Future's television show, premiered on Adult Swim.
May 2012: Anticipated Release of "Wolf"
Tyler, the Creator, announced that his second album, "Wolf," was scheduled for release in May 2012.
2012: Launch of Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival
Tyler founded the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, an annual music festival that has featured prominent artists.
February 14, 2013: Announcement of "Wolf" Release Date
Odd Future released a video announcing the release date for "Wolf" as April 2, 2013.
February 26, 2013: Performance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"
Tyler, the Creator, performed "Domo23" and "Treehome95" on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."
April 2, 2013: Release of "Wolf"
Tyler, the Creator's second studio album, "Wolf," was released.
April 2013: North American and European Tour
Tyler, the Creator, embarked on a tour across North America and Europe.
2013: Shifting Sounds with "Wolf"
Tyler's second studio album, "Wolf," marked a departure from his earlier horrorcore style as he explored more accessible sounds.
2013: Grammy Nomination for Contribution to "Channel Orange"
In 2013, Tyler, the Creator, received his first Grammy nomination for his contribution to Frank Ocean's album "Channel Orange," which was nominated for Album of the Year.
January 31, 2014: Recording with Mac DeMarco
Tyler, the Creator, was reported to be collaborating and recording music with Mac DeMarco.
March 15, 2014: Arrest for Inciting a Riot at South by Southwest
Tyler, the Creator, faced legal trouble again on March 15, 2014, when he was arrested in Austin, Texas, for inciting a riot during his South by Southwest performance. Tyler had encouraged fans to push past security, leading to a chaotic scene. The charges were eventually dropped, but the incident fueled perceptions of Tyler as a controversial figure.
2014: Eminem's Criticism of Tyler, the Creator
Eminem's 2018 single "Fall" ignited controversy for its homophobic slur directed at Tyler, the Creator. Eminem's lyrics seemed to stem from Tyler's past criticism of his work and exploration of sexuality in his music. While Eminem later expressed regret over his words, acknowledging their potential harm, Tyler appeared less fazed by the incident.
April 9, 2015: Release of "Fucking Young" Music Video and "Cherry Bomb" Announcement
Tyler, the Creator, released the music video for "Fucking Young" and announced his upcoming album, "Cherry Bomb."
April 11, 2015: Start of Cherry Bomb World Tour
Tyler, the Creator, kicked off his Cherry Bomb World Tour at Coachella Festival.
April 13, 2015: Release of "Cherry Bomb"
"Cherry Bomb," Tyler, the Creator's third studio album, was released digitally.
April 28, 2015: Physical Release of "Cherry Bomb"
Physical copies of "Cherry Bomb" were released with five different album covers.
August 26, 2015: UK Ban
On August 26, 2015, Tyler, the Creator, was banned from entering the UK for three to five years due to controversial lyrics from his 2009 mixtape "Bastard", leading to canceled tour dates.
September 2015: Conclusion of Cherry Bomb World Tour
Tyler, the Creator's Cherry Bomb World Tour concluded in Tokyo, Japan.
2015: End of "Loiter Squad"
Tyler, the Creator, stated that "Loiter Squad" was no longer in production.
2015: Openly Identifying as Gay
In 2015, Tyler, the Creator became increasingly open about his sexuality, describing himself as "gay as fuck" in a Rolling Stone interview. He shared that his close friends were accepting of his sexual orientation, suggesting a level of comfort and openness within his personal life.
2015: Experimentation with "Cherry Bomb"
Tyler further experimented with his sound on his album "Cherry Bomb," incorporating elements of jazz, soul, and R&B.
April 8, 2017: Collaboration with Frank Ocean and Jay Z
On April 8, 2017, Tyler, the Creator, was featured on Frank Ocean's song "Biking," which also included Jay Z.
June 29, 2017: Release of "Who Dat Boy" and "911 / Mr. Lonely"
Tyler, the Creator, released two new songs, "Who Dat Boy" featuring ASAP Rocky and "911 / Mr. Lonely" featuring Steve Lacy, Frank Ocean, and Anna of the North, on June 29, 2017.
July 6, 2017: Announcement of "Flower Boy"
On July 6, 2017, Tyler, the Creator, announced his fourth album, "Flower Boy," revealing its title, tracklist, and release date.
July 21, 2017: Release of "Flower Boy"
Tyler, the Creator, released his fourth studio album, "Flower Boy," on July 21, 2017.
August 3, 2017: Premiere of "Nuts + Bolts"
Tyler, the Creator's TV show "Nuts + Bolts," which explores the creation of things he's passionate about, premiered on August 3, 2017.
September 14, 2017: Announcement of "The Jellies"
Tyler, the Creator's third TV show, "The Jellies," was announced on September 14, 2017.
October 22, 2017: Premiere of "The Jellies"
On October 22, 2017, Tyler, the Creator's animated TV show, "The Jellies," premiered.
2017: Start of a Trilogy with "Flower Boy"
The release of "Flower Boy" marked the beginning of a successful trilogy for Tyler.
2017: Reflecting on Early Relationships
During a 2017 interview, Tyler, the Creator revealed that he had a boyfriend by the age of 15, providing further insight into his personal life and experiences with relationships.
March 29, 2018: Release of "Okra"
Tyler, the Creator, released the standalone single "Okra" on March 29, 2018, describing it as a "throwaway song."
May 22, 2018: Release of "435"
On May 22, 2018, Tyler, the Creator, continued his string of single releases with "435."
July 23, 2018: Announcement of WANG$AP and Release of "Potato Salad"
Tyler, the Creator, and ASAP Rocky announced their collaborative project, WANG$AP, on July 23, 2018, releasing a music video for "Potato Salad," a remix of Monica's "Knock Knock."
August 31, 2018: Eminem's "Fall" and the Aftermath
Eminem faced significant backlash for using a homophobic slur towards Tyler, the Creator, in his song "Fall," released on August 31, 2018. Eminem later addressed the controversy, expressing regret and suggesting that his intention to hurt Tyler had inadvertently caused harm to others.
2018: Navigating Public Perception and Privacy
In 2018, Tyler, the Creator addressed the public's response to his lyrics about same-sex relationships, particularly in his album "Flower Boy." He acknowledged a "grey area" in how people perceived his sexuality, expressing a desire for privacy despite his public persona.
February 2019: Lifting of the UK Ban
The UK ban on Tyler, the Creator, is believed to have been lifted in February 2019, allowing him to schedule a performance in London to promote his album "Igor." However, the show was ultimately canceled by police due to safety concerns related to overcrowding and rowdy behavior.
May 6, 2019: Announcement of "Igor"
Tyler, the Creator, announced his fifth studio album, "Igor," on May 6, 2019, after teasing new music and a new look on social media.
June 2019: DJ Khaled's Criticism of "Igor"
Tyler, the Creator's album "Igor" debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 in June 2019, surpassing DJ Khaled's album "Father of Asahd." DJ Khaled posted a video criticizing Tyler's music, referring to it as "mysterious shit," but later deleted the post. This incident sparked a public feud between the two artists.
December 23, 2019: Release of "Best Interest" and "Group B"
Tyler, the Creator, released two songs, "Best Interest" and "Group B," on December 23, 2019.
2019: Music Innovator of the Year
Tyler was recognized as "Music Innovator of the Year" by The Wall Street Journal in 2019.
2019: Recording of "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019"
In 2019, Tyler, the Creator, and A$AP Rocky recorded "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019," which was later released on Nigo's album "I Know Nigo!" in 2022.
2019: Critical Acclaim with "Igor"
Tyler's album "Igor" received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
January 26, 2020: Grammy Win for "Igor"
Tyler, the Creator, won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for "Igor" on January 26, 2020, but expressed mixed feelings about the categorization of his music.
2020: Addressing the UK Ban at the Brit Awards
After winning the International Male Solo Artist award at the 2020 Brit Awards, Tyler, the Creator, took the opportunity to address the previous ban, sarcastically thanking Theresa May and highlighting the incident's impact.
2020: Grammy Award for "Igor"
Tyler won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for "Igor" in 2020.
August 6, 2021: Tyler, the Creator, Addresses DJ Khaled Feud
On August 6, 2021, Tyler, the Creator, spoke about the DJ Khaled controversy, stating his amusement at seeing DJ Khaled's perceived frustration over "Igor's" success. Tyler's comments suggested that he had moved on from the feud but continued to find humor in the situation.
2021: Continued Success with "Call Me If You Get Lost"
"Call Me If You Get Lost" continued Tyler's success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and winning a Grammy Award.
January 5, 2022: Headliner Announcement for Forecastle Festival
On January 5, 2022, Tyler, the Creator, was announced as a headliner for the Forecastle Festival in Louisville.
March 25, 2022: Appearance on Nigo's "I Know Nigo!"
Tyler, the Creator, appeared on two tracks on Nigo's album "I Know Nigo!" released on March 25, 2022.
September 12, 2022: Jerrod Carmichael's Confession and the Emmys
In 2022, comedian Jerrod Carmichael revealed to audiences that he had fallen in love with his best friend, later revealed to be Tyler, the Creator. Carmichael attempted to invite Tyler to the Emmys as a gesture, but Tyler declined. The events highlighted the complexities of their relationship.
2022: Grammy Award for "Call Me If You Get Lost"
Tyler won his second Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for "Call Me If You Get Lost" in 2022.
2022: Grammy Win and "Mysterious Music"
Tyler, the Creator, won Best Rap Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards for "Call Me If You Get Lost." He referenced the DJ Khaled feud by making multiple references to "mysterious music" on Twitter, seemingly a playful jab at DJ Khaled's past criticism.
2022: Scoring of Louis Vuitton's Men's Fall-Winter 2022 Fashion Show
Tyler, the Creator, composed the score for Louis Vuitton's Men's Fall-Winter 2022 fashion show, a tribute to the late Virgil Abloh.
March 27, 2023: Announcement of "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale" and Release of "Dogtooth"
Tyler, the Creator, announced "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale," featuring unreleased songs from "Call Me If You Get Lost," on March 27, 2023, along with the single "Dogtooth."
March 29, 2023: Release of "Sorry Not Sorry"
Tyler, the Creator, released "Sorry Not Sorry," another single from "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale," on March 29, 2023.
March 31, 2023: Release of "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale" and "Wharf Talk" Music Video
On March 31, 2023, Tyler, the Creator, released "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale," along with a music video for "Wharf Talk."
November 7, 2023: DJ Khaled Expresses Interest in Collaboration
On November 7, 2023, Rolling Stone published a feature story about DJ Khaled, in which he revealed his interest in working with Tyler, the Creator, mentioning that they had established a positive relationship.
March 29, 2024: Jerrod Carmichael's Reality Show
An episode of Jerrod Carmichael's reality show, airing on March 29, 2024, revealed Tyler, the Creator as the unnamed best friend Carmichael had confessed his feelings for. The episode documented Carmichael's attempts to navigate their friendship after his confession, showcasing a tense and awkward encounter between the two, captured for the show.
April 13, 2024: Coachella Performance
Tyler, the Creator, delivered a headlining performance at Coachella on April 13, 2024, featuring guest appearances from Childish Gambino, ASAP Rocky, Kali Uchis, and Charlie Wilson.