History of Tyler, the Creator in Timeline

Tyler, the Creator, born Tyler Gregory Okonma, is an influential American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer prominent in alternative hip-hop. He gained recognition in the late 2000s as the leader and co-founder of the music collective Odd Future, contributing as a rapper, producer, director, and actor. He also produced studio albums for Odd Future's members and appeared on the group's sketch comedy show, Loiter Squad.

Sections (5)

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

2002: Okonma starts skateboarding

Since 2002, Okonma has been an avid skateboarder and collects BMX bicycles.

2004: "I been kissing white boys since 2004" lyric

The lyric "I been kissing white boys since 2004" from the album Flower Boy, was discussed in a 2018 interview with Fantastic Man.

2009: Lyrics from Bastard cited for UK ban

In 2009, Lyrics from the album Bastard were cited as the reason for the ban, from visiting the UK, although Okonma had toured multiple times in the UK since its release.

2009: Influence of Eminem's Relapse

In 2009, Tyler was influenced by Eminem's album Relapse, which Tyler stated is one of his favorites. The horrorcore-based aesthetics and transgressive lyrical content of his debut and second albums Bastard and Goblin were influenced by Eminem.

2010: Sexually explicit comments towards Selena Gomez

From 2010 to 2011, he made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter.

2010: Alias

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 after allegedly destroying equipment during a show at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. He later paid $8,000 in damages.

2011: Sexually explicit comments towards Selena Gomez

From 2010 to 2011, he made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter.

2011: Kanye West shares Yonkers video

In 2011, the music video for "Yonkers", which featured Tyler eating a cockroach and committing suicide, attracted controversy in the media, as well as being posted by Kanye West on his Twitter account, calling it "the video of 2011".

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2013: Comments about Selena Gomez relationship

In a 2013 interview, he stated that he and Selena were not on good terms, explaining, "We don't really get along. She don't like me. We don't like each other. Because I'm kicking it with Justin — like that's my homeboy. She always be mean muggin' me. Like why are you hating on me?"

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 telling fans to push past security guards at his South by Southwest performance. The charges were later dropped.

2014: Eminem's Criticism of Tyler, the Creator

In 2014, Eminem criticized Tyler, the Creator for his opinion on Eminem's single "Walk On Water" and album Shady XV.

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2015: Tyler describes himself as "gay as fuck"

In a 2015 Rolling Stone interview, Tyler described himself as "gay as fuck" and said "My friends are so used to me being gay. They don't even care."

2017: Tyler had a boyfriend by age 15

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

2018: Eminem's "Fall" Controversy

In 2018, Eminem's single "Fall" contained derogatory language towards Tyler, the Creator, criticizing his music and sexuality. Eminem later expressed regret for the lyrics, acknowledging their potential harm. Tyler, the Creator, in an interview with The Guardian, stated that the line "was okay" and that he didn't take offense from it.

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2018: Tyler discusses Flower Boy lyric

In a 2018 interview with Fantastic Man, while discussing the Flower Boy lyric "I been kissing white boys since 2004" and the public response to it, Okonma said "It's still such a grey area with people, which is cool with me. Even though I'm considered loud and out there, I'm private, which is a weird dichotomy."

February 2019: UK ban reportedly lifted

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

May 6, 2019: Tyler teases new music and look

On May 6, 2019, Tyler released two short video clips on his online profiles which featured new music. The videos showed him dancing erratically while wearing a long blonde wig, multicolored suit, black sunglasses, and a grill; he donned the same style for pictures on his social media and the music videos for the album's singles.

June 2019: DJ Khaled's Criticism of Igor

In June 2019, after Tyler, the Creator's album Igor reached number 1 on the Billboard 200, surpassing DJ Khaled's album Father of Asahd, DJ Khaled criticized Tyler's music in an Instagram video. He criticized the album's style and mysteriousness. DJ Khaled later deleted the video.

December 23, 2019: Tyler releases "Best Interest" and "Group B"

On December 23, 2019, Tyler released two songs, "Best Interest", a song that did not make the cut of Igor that was released with a music video, and "Group B".

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2019: Collaboration on "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019"

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

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January 26, 2020: Tyler wins Grammy for Best Rap Album

On January 26, 2020, Tyler won his first-ever Grammy at the 62nd Grammy Awards, winning Best Rap Album for Igor. Tyler voiced concerns about being pigeonholed into the rap category.

2020: Tyler references Theresa May at Brit Awards

After winning International Male Solo Artist at the 2020 Brit Awards, Okonma referenced the ban. "I wanna give a special shout out to someone who I hold dear to my heart, who made it where I couldn't come to this country five years ago," he said. "I know she's at home pissed off. Thank you Theresa May."

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

On August 6, 2021, Tyler, the Creator discussed the DJ Khaled controversy on Hot 97. He stated that he enjoyed watching DJ Khaled's reaction to his success, emphasizing the impact on DJ Khaled's identity as "number one".

2021: Golf Le Fleur fashion line described

In 2021, Tyler 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".

2021: Public apology in Manifesto

In 2021, he made a public apology in his song "Manifesto" in his studio album Call Me If You Get Lost. Tyler Aquilina of Entertainment Weekly wrote of the controversy, "Tyler was known as a provocateur at that point in his career, and was frequently criticized for what many observers called homophobic and misogynistic lyrics, including depictions of violence against women".

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January 5, 2022: Tyler announced as Forecastle Festival headliner

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

March 25, 2022: Tyler features on Nigo's album and showcases Golf le Fleur*

On March 25, 2022, Tyler appeared on two tracks off Nigo's album I Know Nigo!, the opening track "Lost and Found Freestyle 2019" with A$AP Rocky, and the closer, "Come On, Let's Go", the latter of which was released along with a music video showcasing Tyler's Golf le Fleur* clothing line.

2022: Tyler scores Louis Vuitton fashion show

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

2022: Grammy Win and "Mysterious Music" Remark

In 2022, Tyler, the Creator won Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards for Call Me If You Get Lost. Following the win, Okonma referenced "mysterious music" on Twitter, a jab at DJ Khaled's earlier criticism.

March 27, 2023: Tyler announces 'Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale'

On March 27, 2023, Tyler revealed Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale, which would include songs recorded for Call Me If You Get Lost but did not appear on the final album, including the single "Dogtooth", which was released the same day, along 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", alongside a music video.

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March 31, 2023: Release of 'The Estate Sale'

On March 31, 2023, The Estate Sale was released, 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, noting that they now have a good relationship.

April 13, 2024: Tyler headlines Coachella with guest appearances

On April 13, 2024, Tyler headlined Coachella, closing out Saturday night with a performance that included guest appearances from Childish Gambino, ASAP Rocky, and Kali Uchis along with a duet of "Earfquake" with Charlie Wilson. Critics praised the performance as an "exhilarating, high-stakes spectacle".

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October 16, 2024: Tyler reveals album title Chromakopia

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

October 23, 2024: Chromakopia: The World Tour announcement

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