‘The modern day Ian Curtis’: Tyler, The Creator and his love of Joy Division
“Fucking modern day Ian Curtis I oughta been,” Tyler, The Creator raps on the Odd Future track ‘Leather Head,’ which featured on the collective’s second mixtape, Radical, in 2010.
“The motherfuckin’ bulls was hotter than a Dennis Rod-a-Man.” It may seem strange or unexpected to hear someone like Tyler mention an old English post-punk like Joy Division’s frontman Ian Curtis, but, as it happens, the Manchester group’s legacy goes way beyond guitar-driven music. It bleeds into hip-hop, too, and Tyler is just one of many rappers to look to Joy Division for inspiration.
Speaking to The Guardian way back in 2011, Tyler mentioned some of his musical influences from that period. But what’s interesting to note about those he mentioned is the distinct lack of hip-hop artists. “I listen to Washed Out, Beach House and Broadcast,” he said. “That’s what I’m influenced by. [That’s why] the music is a mixture of pretty chords, fuckin’ hardcore drums and basslines, and really nice strings.”
Listening to Tyler’s early music, one wouldn’t necessarily pick up on these dreamy, softer influences, but, once he points it out, it’s certainly discernible. But he didn’t stop with them, mentioning that he also was inspired by “a bunch of French jazz, old soundtracks, library music, shit with crazy chord progressions and changes in it.” And, on top of that, he singled out Roy Ayers, whom he claimed to adore. “Listening to him,” he said, “it’s like, ‘How the fuck did he find that?’ That shit’s tight.”
But his love for Joy Division is perhaps the most jarring revelation from that interview, especially in light of the particular way in which he expressed his admiration. He didn’t just plainly state that he really liked Joy Division and its frontman, Ian Curtis, and that he took inspiration from them. No. He went weird with it, saying that, if he could interview three people, his ideal choices would be the late US comedian Bernie Mac, Ian Curtis, and… Adolf Hitler. Hmm.
Moving swiftly past that particular idea, it does make sense for an artist like Tyler to gravitate towards Joy Division. Their respective sounds may not seem obviously linked, but there is a certain darkness that runs through both. The desolate atmosphere and sense of alienation that Curtis is uniquely capable of conjuring up is appealing to lots of people, but especially to young people. That aspect of Joy Division is certainly evident within lots of young punk-inflected bands, but it is interesting to note it in Tyler’s hip-hop. But he isn’t alone in that.
Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Vince Staples and several other rappers have also cited Joy Division as an inspiration at one point or another. Danny Brown, too, is a big fan, even naming his 2016 album Atrocity Exhibition, after the opening track of Joy Division’s second—and final—album Closer. “I just relate to that song a lot,” Brown explained to Rolling Stone following his album’s release. “That song, [Ian Curtis is] pretty much talking about how he feels like he’s part of a freak show almost. People just wanna come see him and they just wanna see him be a certain type of way. I totally relate to that. That’s just how I felt with this album, ’cause a lot of people expect for me to be some crazy drugged-out I-don’t-know.”