Tyler, The Creator is one of the most exciting artists in hip-hop. The LA rapper recently released his project, Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale, to great critical acclaim and remains at the forefront of alternative rap music.
Widely considered one of the most creative minds in contemporary hip-hop, through his music alone, it is evident that he draws on a vast, eclectic array of influences to bring us the fantastic material he does. From Goblin to IGOR and Flower Boy, the emcee and producer has sampled many acts, from the English rock band Czar to Japan’s Tatsuro Yamashita; his knowledge knows no bounds.
Born Tyler Okonma, Tyler The Creator has always been a forward thinker concerning hip-hop music. However, in an interview with the renowned Rap Radar podcast, the Ladeira Heights native explained why the notion of a top-five list when discussing rappers and their work doesn’t make sense.
During his conversation with the hosts Elliott Wilson and Brian’ B. Dot’ Miller, Okonma explained, “You know what annoys me? When people are like, ‘This is my top five,’ and people argue it. You got 17-year-olds like, ‘Yeah, dude, f**king Ready to Die and Enter the Wu-Tang is my top ten albums ever.’ Like, bro, you just got hair on your d**k.”
The ‘Potato Salad’ musician continued, “It’s performative, and again, some people might be right, but you got YoungBoys and Babys out here, and that’s your favourite album? I don’t care about people’s objective top nothing. Tell me what is your favourite sh*t because you learn so much from people. You get context. I want to know why you think Pookie Dookie’s second album is your favourite. ‘Oh, I have memories attached to it … My brother did this and that, and on track seven, he talks about this… I found out I was going through it.’ Like, I want to hear that.”
Tyler, The Creator, even disclosed to the hosts that he doesn’t like it when fans try to rank his music, stating, “The kids be doing it with me! They do a tier list of like ‘A, B, C and D’ of the albums they like of me and then ask people’s thoughts. You’re asking people their thoughts on what you hold to your heart? What kind of stupid s**t is that?”
Throughout the podcast, Okonma made it clear that he doesn’t think art needs to be quantified or ranked but simply appreciated and absorbed. You can listen to Tyler, The Creator’s Rap Radar interview below.
