Few artists have undergone a more radical and compelling transformation in modern music than Tyler, The Creator. From the shock-rap provocateur of the Odd Future era to the Grammy-winning, genre-bending auteur, his discography is a winding road of sonic and emotional evolution. As of late 2024, with the release of his latest critically acclaimed album, CHROMAKOPIA, the conversation about his "best" work has been completely refreshed, challenging long-held fan favorites and introducing new masterpieces that showcase a depth few could have predicted.
This list is not just a collection of popular hits; it is a curated journey through the essential tracks that define his artistic narrative, blending commercial success with critical consensus and the freshest, most talked-about entries from his 2024 output. Understanding these songs is key to understanding the artist—Tyler Okonma—who continuously reinvents himself while maintaining a singular, uncompromising vision.
Tyler, The Creator: A Brief Biography and Profile
Tyler Gregory Okonma, professionally known as Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and music video director. He is widely considered one of the most influential figures in alternative hip hop of his generation.
- Born: March 6, 1991, in Ladera Heights, California.
- Early Career: Gained prominence in the late 2000s as the co-founder and de facto leader of the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future (OFWGKTA).
- Debut Mixtape: Bastard (2009).
- Major Studio Albums:
- Goblin (2011)
- Wolf (2013)
- Cherry Bomb (2015)
- Flower Boy (2017) (Grammy nomination)
- IGOR (2019) (Grammy Award for Best Rap Album)
- CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST (2021) (Grammy Award for Best Rap Album)
- CHROMAKOPIA (2024)
- Other Ventures: Founder of the clothing brand Golf Wang, the annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival music festival, and the Golf Media app.
- Key Collaborators/Entities: Frank Ocean, Kali Uchis, Pharrell Williams, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky.
- Signature Style: Known for his distinctive deep voice, complex narrative songwriting, and a production style that evolved from abrasive, horrorcore-influenced beats to lush, jazz-rap, and neo-soul arrangements.
The Evolution: From Shock-Rap to Neo-Soul Auteur
To appreciate Tyler’s best songs, one must grasp his monumental shift in sound. His early work on albums like Goblin (2011) was characterized by dark, controversial themes and raw, unsettling production, which established his reputation as a disruptive force in hip hop. The shift began subtly with Wolf (2013) and solidified with Flower Boy (2017), where he embraced melodic, introspective, and lush arrangements, moving toward a sophisticated blend of jazz, R&B, and soul. This evolution is the core of his topical authority, showing a rare willingness to shed a successful persona for artistic growth.
10 Essential Tyler, The Creator Songs That Define His Legacy
This list is ranked by their significance in his career and their current critical standing, ensuring a mix of streaming favorites and deep-cut essentials.
1. See You Again (feat. Kali Uchis) (Flower Boy, 2017)
This track is arguably Tyler's most popular and commercially successful song, routinely topping his streaming charts. Moving away from his abrasive roots, "See You Again" is a dreamy, neo-soul ballad about yearning and infatuation, featuring a captivating, airy chorus from Kali Uchis. It was the definitive track that announced his transformation into a melodic, emotionally vulnerable artist, paving the way for the success of IGOR.
2. A BOY IS A GUN* (IGOR, 2019)
A centerpiece of the Grammy-winning IGOR album, this song is a masterclass in sampling and emotional storytelling. Built around a sample of "Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One, the track is a raw, heartbreaking reflection on a volatile relationship. The song’s structure, which includes a dramatic beat switch, perfectly encapsulates the album’s narrative arc of love, betrayal, and heartbreak.
3. Yonkers (Goblin, 2011)
The song that launched a thousand controversies and made Tyler a household name. "Yonkers" is a stark, minimalist track with a menacing beat and shocking, often humorous, lyrics. While musically simple compared to his later work, its cultural impact is undeniable. It cemented his early shock-rap persona and serves as the perfect historical bookend to his current, more refined sound.
4. Like Him (feat. Lola Young) (CHROMAKOPIA, 2024)
For the most current perspective, "Like Him" is a standout from his 2024 album, CHROMAKOPIA. Critics have hailed it as one of the best-written songs of his career, showcasing a deep, emotional vulnerability as he grapples with feelings of inadequacy and a yearning for a life he sees others living. Its lush, cinematic production and honest lyrical content prove that even after a decade, Tyler continues to reach new peaks in artistic maturity.
5. WUSYANAME (feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again & Ty Dolla $ign) (CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, 2021)
A smooth, undeniable R&B groove that highlights Tyler's exceptional production skills and his ability to craft a catchy, almost playful narrative. The song is a throwback to 90s R&B, with Tyler adopting his "Tyler Baudelaire" persona to flirt with a woman, showcasing his lyrical flexibility and his mastery of the "pimp-rap" aesthetic that defined the CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST era.
6. SMUCKERS (feat. Lil Wayne & Kanye West) (Cherry Bomb, 2015)
An explosive and experimental track from his most polarizing album, Cherry Bomb. "SMUCKERS" is a hip-hop spectacle, featuring career-defining verses from two rap legends, Lil Wayne and Kanye West, alongside a confident, boastful Tyler. The song's complex, multi-layered production, which shifts from distorted synth chaos to a luxurious orchestral finish, is a testament to his ambition as a producer.
7. GONE GONE / THANK YOU (IGOR, 2019)
A two-part epic that captures the duality of his emotional state: the painful realization of a love lost ("GONE GONE") and the gratitude for the experience ("THANK YOU"). The track is a beautiful fusion of psychedelic soul and pop, with a seamless transition that demonstrates his narrative and structural genius. It is frequently cited by fans as one of his deepest and most complex emotional statements.
8. Answer (Wolf, 2013)
A deeply personal and raw acoustic track that serves as a quiet moment of reflection on the tumultuous Wolf album. Over a simple, melancholic guitar riff, Tyler addresses his absent father and his complex relationship with his mother. It’s a moment of vulnerability that foreshadowed the emotional honesty of his later work and remains a fan favorite for its sincerity.
9. St. Chroma (feat. Daniel Caesar) (CHROMAKOPIA, 2024)
Another essential track from the 2024 album, "St. Chroma" is a perfect example of Tyler's current sound—a blend of grand, cinematic scope with deeply personal lyrics. The track features chanting and marching rhythms mixed with phenomenal vocals, creating an almost spiritual or epic feel that has already led some fans to call it one of his best songs ever.
10. SORRY NOT SORRY (CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST: The Estate Sale, 2023)
Released as part of the deluxe version of CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, this track acts as a powerful, career-spanning retrospective. It features Tyler speaking to various facets of his life—his mother, his younger self, his fans, and his critics—apologizing for past mistakes while simultaneously asserting his self-acceptance. It’s a stunning, vulnerable conclusion to one of his most celebrated eras, summarizing his journey into a self-assured artist.
Tyler’s Enduring Topical Authority and Influence
Tyler, The Creator’s influence extends far beyond mere streams; he has fundamentally changed what a hip-hop artist can be. His discography serves as a blueprint for artistic freedom, showing a clear, linear progression from the chaotic energy of Goblin to the polished, genre-fluid brilliance of CHROMAKOPIA. The constant reinvention of his sound, from the dark textures of Goblin to the vibrant palettes of Flower Boy and IGOR, demonstrates his commitment to pushing boundaries.
The entities and themes woven throughout his music—including his exploration of identity, love, and ambition—provide a rich tapestry for listeners. His collaborations with artists like Frank Ocean and Kali Uchis are not just features; they are integral parts of his musical world. For any music enthusiast in 2024, delving into these 10 songs offers a complete, essential understanding of one of the most important creative voices of the last decade.
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