I wasn’t sure who to choose as the first artist to feature in FAF, but seeing that today is Tyler, the Creator’s 24th birthday, it was only right to write about him.
I like to think that Tyler, the Creator is what would happen if you put RZA, Eminem, and Pharrell in a blender with some jazz playing in the background. His influence is not only immense, but ironic; his entire livelihood is based around not wanting to be like everyone else, but now, everyone wants to be like him. Well, at least dress like him. Have you seen the Odd Future clothing line? Among other things, it features tube socks and cat t- shirts. Honestly, anyone who can get black kids to dress like that deserves some kind of an award. Anyways, I’m glad that he blew up the way he did because hip- hop music became so binary(with few exceptions) in the sense that listeners had only been left with either “thugs- and drugs” rap or conscious rap. Mind you, artists from both of these subgenres only hail from the streets. Not much diversity there.
Thankfully, Tyler, and so many of the other new- wave rappers, has ushered more diversity and fluidity into hip- hop.
His music is not for the faint of heart, to say the least. I won’t deny the fact that he says some things that make me cringe (i.e., that line about Jesus in “Yonkers”). The fact that his lyrics can be quite insensitive and have the tendency to be comical hides the fact that Tyler is actually a great lyricist. He’s a great producer, as well. Nothing has, can, or will sound quite like a Tyler, the Creator beat. He creates a distinctive sound that’s about as haunting as his Wolf Haley voice. (Watch the video if you’re unfamiliar with it.)
Fans of Tyler, the Creator will never have to worry about getting bored with him, because he is unpredictable. He’s funny. Unfortunately, many people look over the fact that he’s passionate about his work. Most people only see him acting silly with his friends or 
somewhere out skating, but he has a lot on his plate. If he’s not working on his own music, he’s helping with other Odd Future member son their own projects. Or performing. Or designing clothes. Or working on Loiter Squad. Or putting together the Odd Future Carnival. Or involving himself in some other endeavor. Tyler is a wonderful example of how being yourself, your true self, will get you far in life. He’s out here making money off of the things people used to make fun of him for and he’s happy, word to Pharrell. Tell me that that isn’t inspiring.
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