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Just four days after its release on October 28, 2024, Tyler, the Creator's seventh studio album, Chromakopia, has generated massive critical acclaim and substantial streaming numbers.
Industry projections suggest Tyler's Chromakopia will debut at No.1 on Billboard's album charts this week, boasting over 200,000 album-equivalent sales.
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Tyler's Chromakopia reportedly debuted with over 85 million streams on its opening day, surpassing projects like We Don't Trust You, The Death of Slim Shady, and Vultures, making it one of the largest hip-hop album debuts for the year.
Despite the album having a reduced tracking week, the project's successful release has placed Chromakopia among the top 20 largest hip-hop debuts of all time.
A Track-by-Track review of Tyler, the Creator's seventh studio album 'Chromakopia'
Tyler's Chromakopia arrives three years after the release of his Grammy-winning Call Me If You Get Lost, officially following up on CMIYGL (Deluxe) which dropped last year.
His varied, at times nostalgic, production on Chromakopia seemingly pays tribute to all past versions of himself, like the soft synth progressions and transient vocal performances reminiscent of what was brought forward on 2017's Flower Boy.
The album has a complete runtime of 53 minutes and offers 14 unique, self-produced, records, some of which include guest appearances from artists like Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red, GloRilla, Childish Gambino, Daniel Caesar, and more.
On Chromakopia, Tyler, the Creator invites listeners into a self-reflective journey that recounts instances of constant paranoia, the plights of fame, affinity for wealth, fathering a child, and more. Notable themes discussed on the rapper's seventh studio album have been listed below:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Mental Health
- Privacy
- Fame
- Success
- Wealth
- Materialism
- Desire
- Love
- Relationships
- Fatherhood
- Abortion
- Death
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Caesar)
The album's opening track, St. Chroma, introduces listeners to Tyler's latest alter ego, "Saint Chroma," a masked militant who represents his darker, more erratic, nature.
Released alongside a music video on October 16, St. Chroma explores themes of success, desire, and perseverance, mixed with an uplifting vocal performance from Daniel Caesar.
"P said I could do it too, and boy, did I believe him / I built a path to freedom 'cause them words that he said / Give a f--k about traditions, stop impressin' the dead, ah / I'm gon' make it out, promise I'm gon' make it out / Mama, I'm gon' make it out, p---y, I'm gon' make it out" - Tyler, the Creator raps on 'St. Chroma'.
Rah Tah Tah
Tyler immediately switches up the production, moving away from St. Chroma's soulful instrumentals to a more menacing beat on Rah Tah Tah.
While Tyler, the Creator is known for his aggressive cadence and style, as seen on projects like Wolf, this record is fueled by its braggadocious lyricism that portrays Saint Chroma's chaotic mindset. He even includes fun shout-outs to Zendaya and Kendrick Lamar on lines like:
"Brodie set a job, if you performin', he the camera man / They ho-s went to Leuzinger, I skated to Hamilton / I had that S domes gettin' pressed and almost packed out / Me and Lionel Boyce in drama class, my boy can act now (Mm) / Was really Odd Future, all them other n----s whacked out / The biggest out the city after Kenny, that's a fact now"
NOID (feat. Willow x Paul Ngozi)
Tyler closes out Rah Tah Tah by repeating his constant state of paranoia, before leading listeners into his second lead single, NOID, which was released alongside a music video on October 21, 2024.
This record stands out for its electric blend of rock and hip-hop, mixed with a soulful sample from Zambian rock band Ngozi Family, and Paul Ngozi's 1977 record Nizakupanga Ngozi. The track also features supported adlibs from WILLOW on the introduction, hook, and post-hook.
The visualizer and lyricism on this track reflect Saint Chroma's growing state of anxiety and paranoia by hallucinating fake scenarios of being stalked, followed, and robbed. Notable bars from Tyler, the Creator's NOID include lines like:
"No cameras out, please, I wanna eat in peace (Paranoid) / Don't wanna take pictures with you n----s or b---hes / Nervous system is shook, way before nineteen (Paranoid, yeah) / LA'll do that to you, where you from, n---a? Who ya? / Satellites (Satellite), screenshots (Noid) / Paparazzi (Noid), NDAs (Noid) / Privacy? Huh, yeah, right, I got a better shot in the NBA"
Darling, I (feat. Teezo Touchdown)
On track 4, Tyler introduces a surprise collaboration with Teezo Touchdown, who together deliver one of the more optimistic records on Chromakopia fueled by trippy synths and bouncy drum progressions.
Tyler, the Creator's Darling, I opens with a spoken-word introduction delivered by his mother Bonita Smith, who warns the rapper of the importance of honesty in relationships.
The lyricism on this track is highly introspective, with both artists delving into themes of love, commitment, desire, and self-fulfillment. Notable bars from Darling, I include lines like:
"See, monogamy, that s--t is not for me (Nah) / One option for everybody, don't you lie to me (Don’t you lie) / Too many grooves, I’m too curious to try to be / Hidin' things, feelin’ shame built inside of me / Cause honestly (Psh), T is not perfect / So how can I get everything from one person? / I'm at the altar, but I'm still searchin’"
Hey Jane
Tyler, the Creator then delivers one of the more straightforward tracks with Hey Jane, whose production is more somber than almost all the other records included in Chromakopia. The song's title is a reference to the New York-based healthcare company that provides abortion services.
On Hey Jane, Tyler takes listeners through his internal conflicts with raising a child after dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. The track is creatively written as a letter, with the rapper speaking from both his and his partner's perspectives on raising a child, as seen on lines like:
"Ain't in the space to raise no goddamn child / Hey, Jane, I'm terrified, petrified / I don't wanna give my freedom up, or sanitize it / This my fault, the results are justified / I f--ked up, I'm stressed out, I'm dead inside / But, hey, Jane, who am I to come b---h and complain? / You gotta deal with all the mental and the physical change"
I Killed You (Feat. Childish Gambino)
Tyler, the Creator's production on I Killed You marks one of the album's many standout moments. He draws listeners in with intense drum progressions before slowly transitioning into an acoustic-based production in the song's closing moments, fueled by softer vocal performances.
The track primarily centers on Tyler's complex relationship with his hair, with several bars that shout praise for African-American hairstyles and textures, highlighting his appreciation for his heritage. Gambino makes a brief appearance closing out the track before leading listeners into Judge Judy.
"How we used to pick you 'cause you was a symbol / Berries and oils, your naturе was so simple / But I guess the coils and kinks bеcame an issue / Therefore, b---h, I killed you, Jheris and Mimis (Mimis) / I burnt you, I cut you, I filled you up with chemis (Chemis) / Forced you to relax, you was thick, you was BB"
Judge Judy (feat. Childish Gambino)
Tyler then delivers another love song with a track titled Judge Judy, supported by Childish Gambino's spacy ad-libs that bring warmth to a story dealing with themes of love, relationships, s*x, and death.
The lyricism on the track is centered on Tyler's relationship with a woman named Judy, citing various instances from times they enjoyed each other's company. The track ends with the rapper reading a letter from her which confirms she passed away from cancer.
"Sorry that I haven't been communicating much (Uh, ooh, ooh, ooh) / This past year has been rough, it spreaded to my head (Yeah, yeah, yeah) / I knew it when we met, if you're reading, it's too late / I'm on the other side, but I just wanna say / Thank you for the moments I could grab before I left (Wait)" - Tyler, the Creator raps on 'Judge Judy'.
Sticky (feat. GloRilla x Sexyy Red x Lil Wayne)
One of Chromakopia's most boisterous records, Sticky, introduces listeners to an impeccably unpredictable production filled with thick drums, larger-than-life horns, and devouring bass notes.
Tyler, the Creator teams up with GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne, all of which have minimal contributions to the song with verses that don't last longer than a single bar.
The exciting production, fueled by braggadocious lyricism revolving around s*x, money, wealth, success, and status, contributes to Sticky's extremely interesting listening experience.
"See, I'm a Westside n---a from the zone (What's goin' on, n---a?) / Knock, knock, knock, knock, knockin' at the door (I'm knockin' at the door) / I keep them mink-minks on hip 'cause I keloid my fists (Mm) / N---a, give a f--k 'bout pronouns, I'm that n---a and that b---h" - Tyler, the Creator raps on 'Sticky'.
Take Your Mask Off (feat. Daniel Caesar x LaToiya Williams)
With a production reminiscent of Flower Boy, Tyler delivers an enticing piano-based instrumental on Chromakopia's ninth track titled Take Your Mask Off.
Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams draw listeners in with unique backing vocal performances. Tyler, the Creator, carries Take Your Mask Off with four dedicated verses which aim to expose the true nature of people, from preachers to thugs, who hide behind their "fake masks".
Notable bars in this record are seen in the fourth and final verse, where Tyler's Saint Chroma persona targets his behavior and various decisions he's made in his career, as seen on lines like:
"You ain't gotta hide from the truth / Tell your family why you such a recluse / Tell your spirit why you feelin' it's a wrap in the booth / Dog, how dare you try to ruin her marriage? (Come on) / Claim you never wore a mask and how you don't get embarrassed / Boy, you selfish as f--k, that's really why you scared of bein' a parent"
Tomorrow
Marking the first time in Tyler, the Creator's career where the 10th track is not a two-part song, the rapper delivers one of Chromakopia's most honest records with Tomorrow.
The lyricism on Tomorrow seemingly finds Tyler reflecting on his life, comparing the vanity of his lifestyle to those around him who are starting their families and, in his mind, appear more content than him.
"Tell that new version of me that I'm comin', yeah / My brodie had another baby, that's like number two (Number two) / My homegirl, her knot tied, she like thirty-two (Thirty-two) / They sharin' pictures of these moments, s--t is really cute / And all I got is photos of my 'Rari and some silly suits (Man)"
Thought I Was Dead (feat. ScHoolboy Q and Santigold)
Opening as the 11th track on Chromakopia, Tyler delivers the complete version of the album's third single, Thought I Was Dead, which now includes guest features from ScHoolboy Q and Santigold.
Q's distinct cadence adds a coldness to Tyler's menacing production, which makes for a very memorable listening experience. Tyler spends his verse critiquing "culture vultures," taking shots at rappers who he believes are ruining hip-hop, as seen on lines like:
"White boys mockin' this s--t and y'all mad at me? Y'all can suck my d--k / Pull up old tweets, pull up old t-shirts, all that, I'll moonwalk over that b---h (Hee-hee) / See, T changed like the 'fit got dirty / I was young man, then a n---a hit thirty / I was one mil', then a n---a hit thirty / B---h, you ain't Coco Gauff, you can't serve me"
Like Him (feat. Lola Young)
While not as complex as the other records on Chromakopia, Tyler's Like Him finds him reflecting on past trauma primarily centered around his relationship with his absentee father.
The emotional instrumentals on Like Him, however, do re-introduce listeners to Tyler, the Creator's formulaic production, with spoken-word deliveries from his mother, Bonita Smith.
The track ends with Bonita asking Tyler to forgive her for keeping his father away, saying:
"It was my fault, not yours, not his, it was my fault, I'm sorry / You know, it was my fault / Not him, 'cause he always wanted to be there for you / And I'm sorry I was young / But he's always wanted to be a father to you / So I, I f--ked up and I take ownership of that / Of my choices and decisions / And I'm sorry for that"
Balloon (feat. Doechii)
Sampling Uncle Luke's 1992 record I Wanna Rock, Tyler teams up with Doechii for an incredibly braggadocious record on Balloon.
Both artists spend their verses reflecting on their careers, wealth, and success, fueled by a production that progressively amps itself up. Doechii stands out on Balloon for her intense vocal performances, delivering lines like:
"Oui oui, merci / Keep it cute when you're in my city / I'm 5'2", A-cup ti--ies / I don't need you, 'cause I already f--k me / I don't need a Range when I got an airboat / I don't need a plane, 'cause the airboat float (Don't stop—) / Out in New York, walk around bare-toed / I don't need a passport, I'm a swamp bitch, oh-oh"
I Hope You Find Your Way Home
Tyler, the Creator closes out his seventh studio album with a colorful production, fueled by electric synths and uplifting melodies, on the 14th track titled I Hope You Find Your Way Home.
Several moments on this record we see Tyler speaking on themes previously discussed on Chromakopia, leaving a lasting impression on listeners, with him delivering bars like:
"B---h sue for a mil' tryna work me, settled at a mil' 'cause that mil', it couldn't hurt me (Eugh) / It didn't hurt me (Eugh) / Nah, it ain't hurt s--t (Eugh) / Sip the motherf--kin' water, did a backflip (Mm) / And if I shoot the club up, it's a Black b---h (Don't say that) / On the plane by myself, I ain't pack shit (Eugh) / Yeah, eating candied yams and some catfish"
Tyler, the Creator's latest outing is a masterfully directed project that finds him reflecting on his deepest emotions, drawing from traumatic and significant past experiences that shaped his chaotic personality, which later transformed into his Saint Chroma alter-ego.
