Tyler, The Creator is one of the reigning leaders of the current rap game. His evolving style both musically and in fashion has created trend after trend in many spaces and he shows no signs of losing influence. This all comes from his most powerful ability which is consistent. One album every two years, each one building on top of the other. Each one even releasing in the same 3-4 months. Now as winter is ending and spring is in view, the rumors are spreading of his next album. So now as to catalog his past work and drum up excitement it makes sense to rank and rate the past 10 years of Tyler The Creator.
6. “Goblin”
Tyler, The Creator’s 2011 album “Goblin” is an album without a point, it writhes around like a kicking and screaming child hurling insults any way it can. It tries to shock with violent, homophobic, and misogynistic lyrics but fails to make points or create any truly great or even interesting music save for some highlights. Tyler was 19 when “Goblin” was released and it shows in his middle school-styled lyrics. There were some glimmering hopes in “Goblin” showing his flow and beat-making skills that would later make him a great artist but it is held down by the early failings of many rappers. “She” featuring the ever-talented Frank Ocean is the main diamond of the album as its production contains what Tyler failed to recreate in most of the rest of the tracks as well as a more subtle and open lyrical approach. Overall “Goblin” is Tyler’s worst. One that gave him the experience necessary to create a far more important and great catalog than “Goblin” would suggest.
Rating: 5.5/10
5. “Wolf”
“Wolf” has some of Tyler’s best songs on it. It is an album of marked highs and lows. In highs, we see the beautifully presented “48” one of Tyler’s best forays into storytelling, as well as the haunting “Answer,” a direct challenge from Tyler to his absent father that presents an incredible vulnerability to the world. On the low end, we have songs like “Trashwang” and “Jamba” with little value that only bloat the album. It has little to offer in terms of thematic or lyrical depth aside from its highlights and it’s just not a very special album coming from an artist with a discography made up of important albums for music at the time.
Rating: 7/10
4. “Cherry Bomb”
“Cherry Bomb” is an album with the opposite problem to “Goblin.’ Its many directions show it to be a turning point for Tyler the Creator, making it an important but clearly imperfect album. Its highs are certainly higher than Tyler’s first album but its lows are just as poor. The greats of “Cherry Bomb” plentiful with tracks like “2SEATER” and “OKAGA, CA” tap into the ethereal vibes that his next two albums would perfect. “Cherry Bomb” is uplifted by its vision of Tyler’s future but it is held back by its attachment to past rage. Leading to ill-fitting songs such as “RUN” and “CHERRY BOMB”. The well-known stars of the album “SMUCKERS” and “F*****G YOUNG / PERFECT” are tribues to his earlier work while succeeding in escaping the pitfalls of it. “Cherry Bomb” as an album as I said earlier is a crossroads, and Tyler takes some large strides into the path of musical greatness.
Rating: 8.5/10
3. “Flower Boy”
“Flower Boy” is without a doubt Tyler’s breakthrough album. Of course, he was a big name in the rap space at the time but the perfect storm of evolved creative ability, collection of great feature artists, and change into a calm and less abrasive style gave Tyler the keys to the kingdom of pop music. Songs like “See You Again” or “Boredom” contain the musical prowess of a seasoned pop producer while more nostalgic tracks like “Who Dat Boy” and “I Ain’t Got Time” are a more refined version of his earlier stylings. Still “Flower Boy” only really feels like a prelude to the artistry of “IGOR” after listening to both once again. It’s an album that has some of Tyler’s best ideas but it doesn’t have the experience he needed to develop them into a truly eye-opening experience.
Rating: 9/10
2. “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST”
Tyler The Creator’s newest album “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” is not a step-down, as some may think, but rather a return to the roots of his career as well as a return to form in rapping ability. This is one of Tyler’s most auspicious albums. He’s made it; he doesn’t have to prove himself an artist to anyone, especially himself. The discussion of his wealth and success is in some portions eye-roll worthy but it represents not only his value in his eyes but his weakness as he struggles to find the use of money and himself when love is involved in songs like the emotional magnum opus “WILSHIRE” and the beautiful “SWEET/I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE”. Of course, the whole album is not centered on the bad parts of wealth and fame as Tyler creates the visuals of palmed beaches, vintage BMWs, and packed passports on most of the album to show his rise to power. As an album, CMIYGL is less thematic than most but it makes up for it in its vibe and production that holds up some of the best rhyme schemes and entendres that Tyler has made.
Rating: 9.5/10
1. “IGOR”
“IGOR” is an album that is near and dear to my heart. It is perfect. The artistry instrumentally, lyrically, and creatively is mindblowing and was a step forward for not just Tyler but also music. The story of the circle of toxic love that ends as it begins with the held synth on “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS” into “IGOR’S THEME”. Every song has a purpose as it creates a chronological timeline of starting and ending love. It has no weak songs, only has classics such as the soulful “EARFQUAKE” with a killer Playboi Carti verse that speaks to both of their talents or the solemn “PUPPET”. The only way to experience this album is in full. From front to back, it is not only a thematic masterpiece but a master class in production, vocal performance, and lyrical density. Comparing it to his first album shows the enormous strides in music making and even emotional maturity that Tyler The Creator has made in his career.
Rating: 10/10
