Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA (Album Review)

Chromakopia Album Rollout

One of the most surprising yet eagerly anticipated albums of 2024 is CHROMAKOPIA. On October 16, Tyler shared the news of CHROMAKOPIA alongside the lead single, “Noid.” A series of CHROMAKOPIA world tour announcements and dates would soon follow. The night before the album’s release, a listening party in Los Angeles hosted by Tyler was held. It offered fans a unique opportunity to engage with the music at an accessible price of $5. The album officially dropped on October 28th at 6 AM, turning heads and igniting conversations among listeners.  

Featuring 14 tracks, the album showcases a stunning mix of collaborations. Guest artists like Doechii, Daniel Caesar, Teezo Touchdown, Childish Gambino, Schoolboy Q, Willow, GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne contribute their styles, enriching Tyler’s vision. However, one standout aspect of CHROMAKOPIA is undoubtedly the voice of Tyler’s mother, who lends personal insights throughout the album.

24 hours after release, CHROMAKOPIA has already surpassed 85 million global Spotify streams. It is projected to have the largest Hip Hop debut of 2024.

Leading Guest Appearance – Tyler’s Mother

While the guest artists bring their flair, Tyler’s mom is undoubtedly one of the most memorable contributors to CHROMAKOPIA. Throughout the project, she shares insights on dating and life choices with her son.

Starting off “St. Chroma,” the album’s introduction, listeners hear her voice say, “You are the light, it’s not on you, it’s in you. Don’t you ever in your MF life dim your light for nobody.” This sets the mood for the album’s rich artistic expression and exceptional musicianship. It’s worth noting that Tyler writes, produces, and arranges all the tracks on this album, himself.  

Another poignant advice from his mother appears in “Darling, I.” She states, “Whatever you do, don’t ever tell no B*tch you love her. If you don’t mean it, Don’t tell her.” Tyler then dives into themes around the constraints of a monogamous lifestyle and long-term commitments in the subsequent verses.

In the track “Hey Jane,” she shares thoughts on safe practices, telling him, “Always, always, always wear a condom. Don’t trust them.” As the track progresses, he expresses his fears about fatherhood. In the second verse, he details the concerns surrounding a woman’s perspective on abortion. This song is among the most reflective and honest offerings on the album.

Themes Throughout the Album

One notably intricate song is “Take Your Mask Off.” It’s an emotionally layered piece that showcases both personal and universal struggles. Tyler emphasizes authenticity over appearances in this track. He confronts feelings of imposter syndrome in the first verse. While unraveling the interplay of sexuality within the Black church context and its ties to the down-low community, in the second verse. His third verse addresses postpartum depression and the regrets some women face concerning unachieved aspirations during early motherhood.  

‘Keep that sh*t 100 with you, with self. You don’t have to put on a costume. You ain’t ever gotta lie to kick it’-Tylers Mom speaks halfway through the song, echoing the overall theme. 

A rite of passage, CHROMAKOPIA examines Tyler’s growth as well as relationships with others whose lives contrast with his own. It encapsulates wisdom handed down by his mother alongside knowledge gained through years in the music industry as a creative individual and a partner in various relationships. Comparing this to his past work in “Call Me When You Get Lost,” one can truly appreciate Tyler’s evolution as an artist, man, and son.  

Tracks like “Rah Tah Tah” and “Sticky” bring a lively energy to the album. Meanwhile, both “Balloon” and “I Hope You Find Your Way Home,” the concluding track, feature stunning arrangements and instrumentals, beautifully wrapping up this artistic compilation.

In “I Hope You Find Your Way Home,” we hear Tyler’s mother expressing heartfelt emotions one last time. She acknowledged his journey and reinforced her pride in him as an artist, urging him to continue “shining.” Her heartfelt gratitude provides a fitting finish to this remarkable musical gift Tyler has presented to the world.  

Where to See Tyler Live

Fans who wish to experience Tyler live can sign up for the waitlist for Camp Flognaw’s 10-year Anniversary festival. Additionally, tickets for the CHROMAKOPIA World Tour will go on presale this week on Ticketmaster. The tour is set to kick off in St. Paul, MN, in February and wrap up in Newark, NJ, in July.

Genre- Hip Hop/Alternative Hip Hop/Funk

Track Ranking

St. Chroma-3

Rah Tah Tah-3

Noid-4

Darling, I-4

Hey Jane-4

I Killed You-3

Judge Judy-3

Sticky-4

Take Your Mask Off-4

Tomorrow-2

Thought I Was Dead-3

Like Him-3

Balloon-4

I Hope You Find Your Way Home-4

Score/Excellent: A master level of musicianship and production is evident throughout this very thoughtful body of work. With its beautiful musical arrangements, this album provokes deep thought and uncontainable joy. It will age incredibly well and will become a standout in Tyler’s already impressive portfolio.