Dec. 14, 2024
By Mariah Allen
Staff Writer
After over three years, rapper and producer Tyler, The Creator made a long-awaited comeback with his eighth studio album “CHROMAKOPIA,” which dropped on Oct. 28.
The day of its release, the album reached over 85 million streams on Spotify, becoming one of the largest hip-hop debuts of the year and securing a spot as one of the top 20 all-time debuts in all genres. Written, arranged and produced by Tyler himself, “CHROMAKOPIA” showcases Tyler’s unique artistry.
Tyler is known for the alter egos in his albums and introduces a new one named St. Chroma, who is inspired by Chroma the Great, a character from “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster. In the classic children’s fantasy adventure novel, Chroma the Great conducts the color orchestra and brings color back to the world.
Many of the songs include the voice of Tyler’s mother, Bonita Smith, who presents lessons she taught him throughout his childhood and reveals how they impact him now. The album also features artists Daniel Caesar, Doechii, GloRilla, Santigold, ScHoolboy Q, Sexyy Red, Teezo Touchdown, Lil Wayne, LaToiya Williams and Lola Young.
A song that has gone viral on TikTok is “Like Him” featuring Young. This track reaches a climax that accentuates the chaos and complexity of Tyler’s emotions. It opens with Tyler’s mother telling him how much he resembles his father, who left when he was young.
The most poignant lyrics occur toward the end of the song when Tyler sings, “Mama, I’m chasing a ghost / Do I look like him?” Here, Tyler delves into his complex feelings about his father’s absence and his longing to understand the traits he inherited from him.
Another track that touches on Tyler’s life is “Tomorrow.” In this melodic song, Tyler sings, “My mother’s hands don’t look the same / These jet black strands are turning gray.” Tyler uses these lyrics to reflect on his fear of aging.
Throughout the song, Tyler addresses the struggle of not fitting societal norms, as his friends are getting married and having children while he has not yet settled down.
Tyler is known for the alter egos in his albums and introduces a new one named St. Chroma, who is inspired by Chroma the Great, a character from “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster. In the classic children’s fantasy adventure novel, Chroma the Great conducts the color orchestra and brings color back to the world.
A song that deserves more attention is “I Killed You.” With a rhythmic beat resembling bongos or hand drums, this track perfectly communicates the struggles people of many cultures face when trying to fit in with mainstream culture.
Rapping, “Your natural state is threatening / To the point that I point at myself and self-esteem,” Tyler explains that people often perceive Black hair as unruly in its natural form. He feels the need to conform to society’s standards, doubting himself and becoming insecure.
With “CHROMAKOPIA,” Tyler once again demonstrates his mastery at blending emotion and storytelling. Its captivating nature and meaningful lyrics make it not just another album, but an experience that will resonate with listeners long after the final track.
