Tyler the Creator was originally known as the edgy teen who’s music was very controversial, and as the leadman of Odd Future. Tyler has made an extremely large name for himself over the years and has evolved musically in very big ways, changing hip-hop and its boundaries forever, and I believe his music will stand the test of time.   

Tyler’s first big recognition was receiving new artists of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards, for his song Yonkers which was very controversial. The music video showed Tyler eating a cockroach and his lyrics were very dark. This drew attention from young kids such as myself that didn’t really understand themselves, and I’ve been a fan ever since. 

Even though Tyler's first couple projects are very dark, very gritty, and very much hard hip-hop that mostly attracts a younger audience, he has evolved into an artist that has music for all kinds of people of all ages. Tyler's most recent 2 projects Flower Boy and Igor are very heavily soul and jazz influenced, which does connect with teens and young adults but also brings back an older style that more adults enjoy. 

Tyler has proven he can handle just about any genre which no other artists are doing right now, Tyler crosses hip-hop with jazz with rock with soul and so much else. Artists rarely ever do this and there aren’t any artists out right now that are doing anything even close to what Tyler is doing. All of the songs off of Tyler’s Igor debuted on the Hot 100 Billboard and he was a nominee for album of the year, which was written, produced, and arranged completely by him.  

The topics that Tyler discusses in his music vary from self confidence issues, relationship problems, sexuality, family hardships, money, life his music has so much relatable qualities. When listening to Tyler’s music it connects to the listener in a very personal way because Tyler is completely transparent and lets you see into his mind. 

Tyler has provided musical therapy for many young teens, I being one of them can say that I will be listening to his music when I’m a father. 

Many artists nowadays follow music trends or styles that aren’t fresh or new, but Tyler has never watered down his music or followed trends on any of his albums. Tyler is the perfect role model for our youth, he creates things the way he wants to and doesn’t let anybody dumb down his ideas and he’s not a follower (which is what needs to be “cool” in this society).  

In terms of creativity Tyler is one of the most creative musicians alive right now, he has amazing beats that don’t really draw influence from anybody he almost stands in his own lane. And the way he’s evolved, no other artist has made such dramatic changes in their music from one album to the next. 

Tyler is far ahead of his time, he ran out of ideas for plain rap music so he made it more, jazz rap, soul rap, heavy metal rap, Tyler has created so many routes for up and coming artists that weren’t generally accepted by the public. If Tyler hadn’t made the music he’s made we wouldn’t have artists like Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, there wouldn’t have been an Odd Future, and Kanye West said in the Cherry Bomb documentary “ there wouldn’t have been a Yeezus without you (Tyler)” and called Tyler his mentor.   

Tyler has been making music since 2009 and his oldest project still holds up to today's standards of music 10 years later. He was ahead of his time in 2009 and he is definitely ahead of his time now. There is no doubt that when I have kids I will be playing Tyler in the car saying “this one’s a classic kids I remember when this came out” and I can guarantee the next generation of kids will enjoy at least some of his music, and my parents will still be enjoying his music as grandparents.