History of Tyler, the Creator in Timeline

Tyler, the Creator (Tyler Gregory Okonma), is a highly influential American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor who rose to prominence in the alternative hip-hop scene of the 2010s and 2020s. He is the leader and co-founder of the music collective Odd Future, where he contributed as a rapper, producer, director, and actor, producing albums for its members and starring in the sketch comedy show Loiter Squad.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2002: Started Skateboarding

In 2002, Okonma started skateboarding.

2004: Kissing white boys since 2004

In 2018, during an interview with Fantastic Man, Okonma discussed the Flower Boy lyric "I been kissing white boys since 2004", noting that his sexuality was still a grey area with people.

2009: Influence of Eminem's Relapse

In 2009, Eminem released his album Relapse, which Tyler, the Creator has stated is one of his favorite albums. The horrorcore-based aesthetics and transgressive lyrical content of his debut and second albums Bastard and Goblin were influenced by Eminem, especially his album Relapse.

2009: Release of Bastard

Tyler's manager Christian Clancy stated lyrics from Tyler's 2009 album Bastard were the reason that Tyler was banned from the UK in August 26, 2015.

2010: Sexually Explicit Comments Directed Towards Selena Gomez

From 2010, Okonma made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter.

2010: Early Career Credits

In 2010, Tyler, the Creator, was credited as Tyler Mr. Hot Sauce Haley Wolf.

December 22, 2011: Arrest for Vandalism at The Roxy

On December 22, 2011, Okonma was arrested on suspicion of vandalism for allegedly destroying equipment during a show at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. He later paid $8,000 in damages.

2011: Sexually Explicit Comments Directed Towards Selena Gomez

From 2011, Okonma made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter.

2011: Controversy Surrounding "Yonkers" Music Video

In 2011, Tyler released the music video for "Yonkers", which featured Tyler eating a cockroach and committing suicide at the end. Kanye West shared it on Twitter, calling it "the video of 2011", which attracted controversy.

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2013: Comments on Relationship with Selena Gomez

In a 2013 interview, Okonma stated that he and Selena Gomez were not on good terms, explaining that she didn't like him and he was friends with Justin Bieber.

March 15, 2014: Arrest for Inciting a Riot at SXSW

On March 15, 2014, Okonma was arrested in Austin, Texas, for inciting a riot after encouraging fans to push past security at his South by Southwest performance. The charges were later dropped.

2014: Release of Shady XV

In 2014, Tyler, the Creator criticized Eminem's Shady XV album, which later led to a diss track by Eminem.

August 26, 2015: Banned from Visiting the United Kingdom

On August 26, 2015, Okonma revealed that he had been banned from visiting the United Kingdom for three to five years, forcing him to cancel tour dates. The ban was reportedly due to lyrics from his 2009 album, "Bastard".

2015: Rolling Stone Interview on Sexuality

In a 2015 Rolling Stone interview, Okonma described himself as "gay as fuck", stating that his friends were used to him being gay and didn't care.

2017: Interview with Noisey on Sexuality

In 2017, during an interview with Noisey, Okonma stated that by age 15 he already had a boyfriend.

2018: Eminem's Diss and Tyler's Response

In 2018, Eminem's single "Fall" contained derogatory comments towards Tyler, the Creator, criticizing his sexuality and his critique of Eminem's previous work. Eminem later expressed regret for the "Fall" line, acknowledging it might have gone too far. Tyler, in an interview with The Guardian, stated that the line was "okay" and he was unfazed by the diss.

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2018: Interview with Fantastic Man on Sexuality

In a 2018 interview with Fantastic Man, Okonma discussed the Flower Boy lyric "I been kissing white boys since 2004", noting that his sexuality was still a grey area with people.

February 2019: UK Ban Potentially Lifted

In February 2019, it was believed that the ban preventing Okonma from visiting the United Kingdom was lifted, which aligned with a scheduled performance in London to promote Igor. However, the show was forcibly cancelled by police.

May 6, 2019: Release of new music video clips

On May 6, 2019, Tyler released two short video clips featuring new music on his online profiles. The videos showed him dancing erratically in a distinctive outfit, which he also used for social media pictures and music videos for his upcoming album.

June 2019: DJ Khaled's Criticism After Igor's Success

In June 2019, after Tyler, the Creator's album 'Igor' surpassed DJ Khaled's 'Father of Asahd' on the Billboard 200, DJ Khaled posted a video criticizing Tyler's music as "mysterious shit you never hear the songs". DJ Khaled then deleted the video.

December 23, 2019: Release of "Best Interest" and "Group B"

On December 23, 2019, Tyler released two songs: "Best Interest", an outtake from Igor with a music video, and "Group B".

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2019: Collaboration with A$AP Rocky for I Know Nigo!

In 2019, Tyler, the Creator collaborated with A$AP Rocky on the track "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019", featured on Nigo's album, I Know Nigo! which was released on March 25, 2022.

January 26, 2020: Grammy Win for Igor

On January 26, 2020, Tyler, the Creator won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for "Igor" at the 62nd Grammy Awards. He expressed gratitude but also voiced his frustration with the categorization of his genre-bending music as simply "rap" or "urban."

2020: Brit Awards Win and Reference to Theresa May

In 2020, after winning International Male Solo Artist at the Brit Awards, Okonma thanked Theresa May, referencing the ban that had previously prevented him from entering the UK.

August 6, 2021: Tyler, the Creator on the DJ Khaled Controversy

On August 6, 2021, Tyler, the Creator discussed the DJ Khaled controversy on Hot 97, expressing enjoyment in "watching a man die inside because the weirdo is winning." He suggested DJ Khaled's identity as number one was challenged by the situation.

2021: Public Apology in Manifesto

In 2021, Okonma made a public apology in his song "Manifesto" from his studio album "Call Me If You Get Lost" regarding past controversies.

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2021: Fashion Industry Establishment with Golf Le Fleur

In 2021, in addition to his music career, Tyler also established himself in the fashion industry with Golf Le Fleur, a high-end luxury line described to "embody the globe-trotting mise en scène of his 2021 album Call Me If You Get Lost".

January 5, 2022: Tyler to Headline Forecastle Festival

On January 5, 2022, Tyler, the Creator, was announced as a headliner for Louisville's Forecastle Festival, scheduled for May 27–29, 2022.

March 25, 2022: Appearance on Nigo's album and Grammy win

On March 25, 2022, Tyler, the Creator appeared on two tracks from Nigo's album "I Know Nigo!". The tracks were "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019" with A$AP Rocky, and "Come On, Let's Go", accompanied by a music video showcasing Tyler's Golf le Fleur* clothing line. Also, Call Me If You Get Lost won the Grammy for Best Rap Album.

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2022: Scoring Louis Vuitton's Men's Fall-Winter 2022 fashion show

In 2022, Tyler, the Creator scored Louis Vuitton's Men's Fall-Winter 2022 fashion show in Paris, one of the last shows by Virgil Abloh. Arthur Verocai arranged Tyler's score, and Gustavo Dudamel conducted the Chineke! Orchestra's live performance.

2022: Grammy Win and Mysterious Music Reference

In 2022, Tyler, the Creator won Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards for Call Me If You Get Lost. Following the win, he referenced the DJ Khaled controversy by tweeting "MYSTERIOUS MUSIC! HA!"

March 27, 2023: Announcement and Release of "Dogtooth"

On March 27, 2023, Tyler revealed "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale", featuring unreleased songs from the original album, and released the single "Dogtooth" with a music video.

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March 29, 2023: Release of "Sorry Not Sorry"

On March 29, 2023, Tyler released another single, "Sorry Not Sorry", along with a music video, as part of "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale".

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March 31, 2023: Release of The Estate Sale and "Wharf Talk"

On March 31, 2023, Tyler released "Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale", along with a music video for the song "Wharf Talk".

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November 7, 2023: DJ Khaled Expresses Interest in Collaboration

On November 7, 2023, Rolling Stone reported that DJ Khaled expressed interest in collaborating with Tyler, the Creator, and claimed they now have a good relationship.

April 13, 2024: Headlining performance at Coachella

On April 13, 2024, Tyler, the Creator headlined Coachella, featuring guest appearances from Childish Gambino, ASAP Rocky, and Kali Uchis, including a duet of "Earfquake" with Charlie Wilson. The performance was lauded by critics as an "exhilarating spectacle".

October 16, 2024: Chromakopia Album Announcement

On October 16, 2024, Tyler, the Creator revealed the name of his next album, "Chromakopia", in a teaser video titled "St. Chroma".

October 23, 2024: Announcement of Chromakopia: The World Tour

On October 23, 2024, Tyler announced "Chromakopia: The World Tour", his seventh headlining concert tour in support of the album "Chromakopia". The tour is set to feature Lil Yachty and Paris Texas as supporting acts.

February 4, 2025: Chromakopia: The World Tour Start Date

On February 4, 2025, Tyler's Chromakopia: The World Tour started in Saint Paul, with Lil Yachty and Paris Texas serving as supporting acts.

August 12, 2025: Release of "Sugar on My Tongue" music video

On August 12, 2025, Tyler released the self-directed video for "Sugar on My Tongue," as part of his album Don't Tap the Glass, featuring a provocative and surreal narrative blending rave culture, BDSM, and absurdist humor.

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September 21, 2025: Chromakopia: The World Tour End Date

September 21, 2025 is the date set to conclude Tyler's Chromakopia: The World Tour in Quezon City. Lil Yachty and Paris Texas are serving as supporting acts for the tour.

October 2025: Controversy over D'Angelo Tribute and Resurfaced Tweets

In October 2025, Tyler, the Creator, faced backlash after criticizing white fans for disrespecting singer D'Angelo's death on X. Social media users accused him of cultivating an anti-black white fanbase and self-hatred. Controversial tweets resurfaced, including comments about the Ferguson riots and affirmative action. Images of him in Ku Klux Klan robes and whiteface were also highlighted.