Tyler, The Creator’s (also known as Tyler Gregory Okonma) newest album CHROMAKOPIA, composed of 14 tracks dropped October 28th, 2024. It was an instant hit, scoring Okonma his third No. 1 album on Billboard 200 as of November 9th. CHROMAKOPIA plays with vibrant and creative sounds creating a thought provoking, engaging listening experience, while also featuring many beloved artists such as Sexyy Red, Daniel Caesar, GloRilla, Lil Wayne, and more. Within these 14 tracks Okonma dives into themes like self discovery, identity, the fear of getting older, anxieties of celebrity culture, romantic relationships, an absent father, and more while his mom, Bonita Smith is featured at the beginning of a few songs giving words of advice and affirmation.
St. Chroma is the first track on the album featuring gorgeous vocals by Daniel Caesar. This song was teased on October 16th and had everyone hooked. It was the world’s first taste of the album and introduces the character of St. Chroma to the listeners. It didn’t disappoint, being a great first introduction to how powerful the album is.
Rah Tah Tah is the second track on the album with a clean transition from St. Chroma. In the beginning Okonma sings about his confidence within himself that is fueled by others validation and approval rather than his own but by the end of the track he begins to reflect on past experiences in the public eye of fans. This begins to make him paranoid, transitioning into the third track, Noid.
Noid is the third track on the album. The song touches on Okonma’s consuming paranoia as a figure in the public eye, constantly feeling chased and watched. “Someone’s keepin’ watch I feel them on my shoulder.” He sets a scene where he drives away from everyone peering into his life, imagining that a car is following him with a gun, and threatening him in his own home.
In track four, Darling, I, Okonma raps about his frustrations with himself as he falls in and out of love too fast. He isn’t able to stay in a committed relationship nor does he feel secure in any relationship he is in. “Life is short, but forever is too goddamn long, I like a long time, I’m on my own time, I love this girl, though, I hit the goldmine I’m thinkin’ new crib, I’m thinkin’ two kids until I get infatuated with a new bitch.” This song features Teezo Touchdown on background vocals adding more depth to this already beautiful song.
The fifth track on the album, Hey Jane, unpacks the shocks of an unplanned pregnancy within a no-strings-attached relationship. The song is told from both the perspective of Okonma and his partner in the format of a letter. The two discuss their mixed feelings with Okonma struggling with the daunting responsibility of raising a child, while she’s conflicted over possibly having to raise the child alone. The name Hey Jane also refers to an abortion clinic based in New York by the same name, which you can use to infer the outcome of the discussion between the couple.
I Killed You, the sixth track on the album, focused on the complex relationship that black people have with their hair. Society often frowns upon natural styles leading many to “kill” their hair by cutting or straightening it. “But I guess the coils and kinks became an issue,therefore bitch I killed you with Jerrie’s and Mimis, I burnt you, I cut you, I filled you up with chemies.” The song captures the struggle between self identity and societal expectations, which can often erase the things that make us who we are.
In Judge Judy, the seventh track on the album, after meeting a girl named Judy at a cafe, Okonma talks about his relationship with Judy and his understanding and acceptance for who she is. Though the song ends with a letter from Judy in which she seems to be ending their relationship. Stating she feels a connection with Okonma but believes they would be better off not staying together due to personal issues impacting their relationship.
Sticky, the eighth track that features GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne, is one of the more fun, and upbeat songs on the album. Okonma and his collaborators rap about embracing their success and individuality. The artists bring bold, humorous, and clever lines about relationships, life, and fame.
Take Your Mask Off is the ninth track on the album featuring Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams. This song follows the theme of growing up in a city around a diverse group of people from different cultures and origins. Okonma sings about living in the shadow of these people and having to wear a “mask” to fit in. The “mask” being a made up persona put on for the validation of others. The lines “I hope you find yourself, and I hope you take your mask off,” are sung not only for himself but for everyone listening.
The tenth track, Tomorrow, opens with Okonma’s mother asking him for grandchildren. Okonma is afraid of growing older, he’s not able to decide if he wants to put down the music career to have a family or continue pursuing music while also dealing with the societal pressures and the feeling of being behind. “My brodie had another baby that’s like number 2, my homegirl a knot tier, she like 32, they sharing pictures of these moments shit is really cute and all I got is photos of my rarri and some silly suits. Will I flip the switch and finally settle down?”
Thought I Was Dead is the eleventh track on the album and is about Okonma embracing his provocative persona, bringing up past controversies and expectations addressing them in his own playful yet rebellious way. “Everything I said I do, I did. Talk my shit? I sure damn will. You ain’t like that shit? I’ll do it again.” The track also features ScHoolboy Q and Santigold, their verses elevating the song.
The twelfth track on the album, Like Him, featuring Lola Young, beautifully tells the story of the absence of a father. At the beginning Okonma’s mom is telling Okonma how similar he is to his father. “She said that I make expressions like him, my legs to my shoulders and my chin like him, my waist and my posture like him.” In this song Okonma sings about how he is chasing a “ghost,” the ghost being the father he doesn’t know. He’s tackling his grief and confusion from never knowing his father, and wishing his father was there to watch him grow up, but also not wanting to judge his mother for it. “You gave me love, and affection, attention, protection, how could I ever miss something that I’ve never had? I would never judge you, cause everything worked out without him.”
On track thirteen, Balloon, featuring Doechii, Okonma sings about his beliefs, success and ambitions to a fun, playful beat. “Why I work so hard? My soul profit” He reflects on his hard work and determination whilst being in the music industry and his dislikes for small talk and superficiality. “Why I hate small talk? I like topics” Another great addition to CHROMAKOPIA adding another layer of intimate reflection to the album.
I Hope You Find Your Way Home is a great last track for this album. Okonma is reflecting on himself and the topics he covered in CHROMAKOPIA like the idea having children. “Four million on on that car, that’s not a chevy. See that’s my interest so as of now, raisin’ a child is not on my wishlist.” The title of the song is telling the listener that he wishes them well on their journey of self discovery, the same journey he went on and shared with us within this album. The song ends with a voice message from Okonma’s mother, telling him how proud she is of him. A gorgeous ending to an even more gorgeous album.
CHROMAKOPIA gives listeners a expansive, captivating look into the world of not only Tyler, The Creator, but Tyler Okonma as well. The album has reached beyond Okonma’s typical fans, and into the headphones and car speakers of music listeners everywhere; listening, analyzing and hitting replay.
