Music

Tyler, The Creator is bummed that fans don't like his newfound happiness

by Dan MacRae

Do you like Tyler, The Creator’s new album? One fan wasn’t all that nutty about Cherry Bomb and took to Reddit to voice their displeasure and declare they’ve outgrown the former “kill people, burn shit, fuck school” advocate. People moaning about the direction of a cherished act is nothing new (see: the last 20 years of Weezer) but it’s always fascinating to get a glimpse of an artist directly addressing the criticism.

Let’s get to the call and response side of this story, shall we?

Reddit user cocomok outlined their issues with Tyler’s recent trajectory in a post on r/OFWGKTA. Take it away, cocomok.

Used to love the guy, was a huge fan of him/OF for 3 years.

After the sort of disappointment of Cherry Bomb, (I only liked 5 songs, realized most of the lyrics are either bragging or no substance) I think I’ve realized I’ve outgrown Tyler as a whole.
He’s done some cool stuff and I will always respect that but I’m tired of his arrogant, braggadocios and unretalable recent attitude. I can’t relate to him talking about wanting a McLaren, having big chains, or being a god like I related to him rapping about his life and feeling depressed because he was stuck in a house arguing with his grandma or about girl trouble.

I’m 19 now and it was a fun couple of years but honestly he’s just annoyed me so much recently. I will always enjoy some of his old stuff and production (Answer, Partyisntover, Bastard) will always be great to me but I think it’s time I move on. Honestly, I’m not surprised most of OF no longer hangs out with him, he can really seem arrogant and pretentious sometimes. I think especially with him saying he hates “depressing” music (Even though he used to make it and we all related/loved it) and kind of sneak-dissing Earl/Kendrick by saying conscious rap/deep rap is bad.

Yes, I know he’s happy now and that’s great. But he’s gotta realize many of the old fans aren’t big on this new stuff. And being happy doesn’t = saying you’re happy all the time. It means making great stuff. Some of which he’s done. But for the most part, I’m over it. I also don’t care about shelling out 5 dollars for an app with stuff that’ll show up on the internet most likely within a few weeks. Or spending hundreds of dollars on clothes. If you want to, that’s totally fine but I liked the old Tyler who was less materialistic/pretentious much better.

That’s a heavy assortment of criticism right there. Tyler gets blasted as coming across as arrogant and pretentious with allegations of sneak-dissing and being too damn happy and materialistic on his new offerings. No complains about Loiter Squad, though.

Tyler took to spring.me and responded to that assessment with a big blast of text that’s definitely worth a read.

WOW THATS CRAZY

i feel it tho, for most people when you cant relate or arent on the same wave length, you move on, that what ive done with friends over time. cant argue with him if thats how he feels, but i will say this

the only songs i talk abut my jewels or cars on is
1. 2 seater
2. brownstains ( rocks on rainbow, pink and yellow on my neck, is that diamonds on ya neck, thats mclaren)
3. opening line on smuckers i say im tryna get the mclaren

other than that

DEATHCAMP
BUFFALO
PILOT
RUN
FINDYOURWINGS
CHERRYBOMB
BLOWMYLOAD
QUARTZ
HAIRBLOWS
FUCKINGYOUNG
PERFECT
KEEPDAOS
OKAGA,CA

dont mention those things, so idk i find it weird dude made it seem like thats all i talk about on there

he said he releated to me when i was depressed and living with my grandmother.

dude, that was in 2011. its 2015, if he really thinks that 4 years later i would still be living on my dead grandmothers floor, and still be sad with all these amazing things happening around me, then he is stuck in 2011. and i dont mean that in a bad way, when you have a favorite artist, you tend to grasp onto an era, trust me i do that with artist that i love but i also know they grow and see new things and change and mature and all of that. im sorry that im not in the same place to talk about those things that were happening in 2011. i dont know what to tell you, my life is in a different spot right now and like on every album, i talk about whats going on in my life AT THAT MOMENT. shit, that would be sooo sad if i was making the same album over and over again. and when i talk about depressed stuff, i know niggas who think its cool as fuck to be sad and negative. i remember being in a somewhat dark spot and now that im not there i understand that its not healthy and it sucks, that shit is NOT TIGHT and it sometimes rubs off on others, you dont have as much fun and blah blah but take that how you want dude

he said that “hes not suprised that OF dont hang around ME anymore”. ok, im not gonna go into that. the thing that does suck is that people that dont know what goes on in our personal lives always seems to think they know whats really going on. trust me, you dont know. and to read that comment made me kinda bummed, cause the tone made it seem like im sus or the bad guy, ha.

i never said anything about kendrick and thebe, in that interview i do recall said its either you talking about trapping and selling drugs, or doing the opposite talking about black power and all that. dont twist my fucking words dude.

and being hapy doesnt mean you have to say it all the time? why not? why cant i share my joy with the world? ohhh, it was cool when i was raping girls and telling you how sad i was on records, but when shit changes and im feeling great and i fuck with myself you cant deal with it? cause you cant relate? is that why? or maybe its my ego talking. idk know what it is, but after a while you realize you dont want to be around people who isnt positive, who isnt focused who dont want more. why would you want to be around someone is is a downer? and i dont even mean depressed, i mean niggas who is always just fucking everyones mood up? everytime they talk its something negative? am i wrong cause i dont want that in my life? its crazy, all im doing is spreading good vibes and tryna give some confidence to people and at least telling them they can accoplish something. sometimes giving some people some hope can really push people to be great. i know i had a couple teachers and my role models always reminded me that i can really do something if i put my mind to it, and everything i EVER put my mind to I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED!, so excuse me if its in my nature to project that kind of attitude, THATS ALL I KNOW. sorry im not sad, sorry i didnt have a story line to cover up my flaws of sound b, sorry the last album was 100 percent me and not from the perspective of a bunch of made up people, sorry that i can gives all my boys jobs and my mother and sister have a roof over their head, sorry i have big plans to do stuff outside of rap like maybe open a movie theater or a park, sorry that im getting started on those things now, sorry that im into stones now ( its a video from 2011 sxsw where i had the icy GOLF pendant, but yall prolly dont remember that, didnt i wear chains in yonkers?) sorry that i like cars and like to talk about it, soooo sorry that ive turned into the guy i hated ( idk if thats true but that what yall think , i have not worn leather pants or been to the club ha) sorry for being me, i apologize in advance cause IM GONNA CONTINUE TO DO THAT FOREVER

PS: i am making overalls for F/W GOLF

That response could also double as a 2015 State of Tyler, The Creator address too, for what it’s worth.