Tyler the Creator of Controversy

One of my fondest memories as a child is that of my father going through my CD collection and being pretty upset about some of my choice of records. BG's Chopper City, Pimp Daddy, Outkast, Too Short, Master P...he just hated their lyrics and what they promoted. He thought that would have a strong impression on me.

My memory of me at that age is a blur. Maybe by choice. I am pretty sure I would not want to hang out with the younger me. I was probably an ass hole, naive and way too much into myself. Though I am sure if you ask some of my friends they would say I haven't changed much. And that brings me to Tyler.

Tyler, the Creator has just released his second album, Goblin, at the ripe age of 19. He comes with a lot of hype and attention due to his lyrics, though he doesn't get to this attention level without the quality of music that he makes being very high. Very often a lot of this can be forgotten when the focus is on his controversies.

A lot of the controversy derives from his choice of language and stories. Some may call him a homophobe, some may call him a chauvinist and some may just call him a lier. I lean more to calling him young and immature. What he is doing is what all the good rappers have done before him, telling stories. Most good story tellers must embellish in order to draw our attention. Our lives are not as exciting as we think. I just always wonder why it is that Rappers must be assumed and expected to live the life they proclaim over their lyrics. The world they talk about is the world that they perceive as cool and fun. And, who doesn't believe that most young urban skateboarding kids don't deep down feel the way that Tyler feels.

Words can hurt and cause people a lot of pain emotionally and can lead to physical harm once you degrade someone to a point where you don't feel like they are an equivalent human being. In a capitalist society, the most powerful way to quiet someone is by not supporting them or paying attention. My parents always told me that acknowledging the bully only empowers them to continue with what they are doing, because that means they have gotten your attention. If you are at the age where you have children or you still live with your parents than you probably shouldn't listen to this album. Also, if combinations of letters that make words that are placed in a combination make you upset you may want to start a CD burning session over this one.

I myself have listened to this album a few more times than I would normally have if it hadn't been for this review that I wanted to write. The language starts to get to me, but the beats are strong and the lyricism and cadence are uniquely delivered. After a while of derogatory words being thrown your way it just doesn't have the same impact and I just zone out all the words being said.

I look forward to watching Tyler grow because with time and success he could change into something that will propel his music into something that goes beyond the discussion of language and more about the whole body of work. His latest work is already showing a lot of growth in a year. He is openly having a discussion with his critics which is nice to see from a controversial artist. And the first way to get over a perceived problem is to be aware that you have said problem. At least that's what they told me at AA.

"Here is the number to my psychiatrist, tell him all your problems he is f**king awesome at listening" - Tyler, The Creator