“Yonkers” - Tyler The Creator
Genre: Hip-Hop
If you still don’t know the sheer wit and raw emotion that is Tyler The Creator (sometimes better known as Wolf Hayley), then jump on the wagon to enlightenment - because this man is bringing the meaning of real underground hip-hop back. Standing as leader of the OFWGKTA group (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) Tyler at only age 17 is laying down the foundations of a new generation of hip-hop, along with other Odd Future members such as Earl Sweatshirt and Hodgy Beats. Already they have released a compilation album, and Tyler has recently released his solo album (Bastard) with new album Goblin yet to come.
Yonkers (from the upcoming album) is a particularly noteworthy effort. Every rhyme Tyler spits is one of wisdom and betrays an intelligent mind that is filled to the brim with sickening thoughts almost on the verge of insanity. One of my favourite lines: “Swallow the cinnamon I’ma scribble this sin and shit” is a pun on the “sin of men” and how he simply writes lyrics about the criminal things that people commit. Even his music video is symbolic and holds hidden meanings. Directed by Tyler himself, the video is meant to portray his view on the industry and mainstream hip-hop (symbolized by the cockroach) and how he is disgusted by it, the false and meaningless wealth that derives from it (represented by the gold necklaces he wears), and what it leads him to do after his realization (ending in his suicide).
Although it might seem as though Tyler is a man that is somewhat crazy, his interviews and online videos will prove against it, as he proves himself to be a humble and grounded guy who “sits at home and watches Cartoon Network” and simply loves what he does. Much respect to him and the rest of Odd Future, and I’m definitely looking forward to the release of Goblin this May.
If you liked this song, check out: Bastard (from the “Bastard” album)
