Goblin

"I wanted to, nay did, write a review of Tyler, the Creator's new album Goblin. It was a scathing piece, focusing on the Odd Future head honcho's inability to go a complete sentence without uttering a misogynist, anti-homosexual phrase, or a pointless, virulent obscenity. I picked at his repulsive depictions of rape and beating of women, his violent retelling about a dream of murdering Bruno Mars and how often self-loathing seeps into the music as Tyler trashes his own worst enemy - himself." 

-Chris D. Davies, How Tyler, the Creator is killing rap

So much hate surrounding this album, one would think that the person behind Goblin was some middle-aged politician instead of a 19 year old kid from LA. There is no denying that the tracks featured on this album (and indeed most of Tyler's productions) make several abhorrent and taboo references. Yes, his lyrics constantly push buttons; his violent demeanor and indifferent swagger break the faint hearts of the easily offended. 

However, if anyone would care enough to actually listen to all the lyrics and appreciate the diverse and entertaining aspects of each track's message, unique beats, and creative cameos, one might actually understand that this is more than just shock value profit. Keep in mind that this is not Tyler, the Creator's first album (see Bastard). Some of his earlier fans had fears that his sophomore album would make an attempt at mainstream media by leaving the obscenities behind and switching to more acceptable and conservative hip hop topics. Did they forget who they were dealing with?



 A self proclaimed now 21 year old emotional wreck of a skater/rapper with daddy problems and a tendency to spew obnoxious lyrics, Tyler Okonma, better known by his stage name Tyler, the Creator, possesses a sick mind with an even sicker flow. Founder of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA) and designer of the rap group's merchandise and fashion line, Tyler has stated on multiple occasions he has no time to be concerned what others think of him. He taught himself to play the piano at age 14 and created most of the instrumentals found on his own and Odd Future's tracks. 

The truly unique aspect about Goblin is that it is set as a progression of 15 sessions with a therapist known as Dr. TC (a continuation of Bastard). In these sessions, we discover the innermost thoughts of this "fucking walking paradox".  

0:00:00 to 0:06:47 - Goblin

The introduction into Tyler's mind begins with Dr. TC stating that Tyler wouldn't actually commit suicide, and all Tyler really needs is some therapy. Here, we understand that Tyler was already a troubled individual, but the focus now is on the his struggle with the spotlight. He has had support from artists such as Kanye West and Lil Wayne, but with the hype also comes the hate and the pressure to lose his individuality. The actual instrumentation itself is rather strange and eerie: a low rattle, the sound of a rain drop hitting a puddle (also pitched low), constant  and steady bass throb, the alternation of two piano keys, brass, stringed instruments, and a brief and slight vocal harmony: the composition itself is a work of art. And then there's his flow:

Nigga fuck a mindset, my brain is an obscenity

I'm fucked in the head, I lost my mind with my virginity

Oh, that's a triple three six, isn't he a devil worshiper

'cause I'm too fucking ignorant to do some research?

For reasons that are difficult to comprehend or fully explain, Tyler's patterning of words and focus on his disturbing message are not impaired by his vulgarity, and indeed seem to offer him more freedom in addressing his problems. 

0:10:58 - Radicals

This track is an anthem for rebels and an abomination to artists who believe a chorus should consist of something other than "kill people, burn shit, fuck school". Tyler begins with a disclaimer and a stab at Bill O'Reilly, a summary of Tyler's involvement with politics.

 "Fuck Bill O'Reilly" 

-Tyler, the Creator

With the intro comes an apocalyptic ambiance and vocal distortion, leading the senses to believe the general tone of this track is destruction. The impression of a cult or gang is strongly felt here by the "harmonies" on the chorus. The unified shouts of multiple young, rowdy African American teenagers radiate these vibes of malice and mind control, leaving the listener either curiously entertained or completely unsettled and/or enraged. Getting under people's skin and into their heads, regardless of his intentions, seems to be Tyler's favorite hobby.

Fuck cops, I'm a fucking rock star

Rebellion and defiance makes my muthafuckin' cock hard

Fuck pigs, fuck guards, all some fucking retards

Fuck school, I'm a fuck up? Fuck Harvard

I ain't got no fucking money (hey mom)

I ain't got no muthafuckin' daddy, he ain't teach me shit

As these radical messages crash over the listeners ears with a force similar to that of several tidal waves, the song briefly subsides to a more rational and enlightening lecture:

  

I'm not saying to go out and do some stupid shit, commit crimes

What I'm trying to tell you is, do what the fuck you want

Stand for what the fuck you believe in, and don't let nobody tell you can't do what the fuck you want

I'm a fucking unicorn, and fuck anybody who say I'm not. Wolf Gang

As vulgar and obscene as he is, his words are not any less valid than the messages of Bob Marley or even Martin Luther King Jr. There does seem to be a side of Tyler that allows him to express his rough but realistic wisdom, contrasting the multitude of tracks containing nothing but his own proclamations of murder and rape.

1:08:11 - Golden

After Tyler allegedly murders his friends at the end of "Windows" and a complex-yet-mellow 4 minute instrumental, the listener is returned to the private conversation between Tyler and Dr. TC. His final words address his loathing towards his new life. He mentions the cons of the fame and how they seem to control his life. He then mentions how his predominately black skater friends that were with him when he first started rapping have been replaced with a cult of young caucasian kids. He then ultimately loops back to his original outcry: suicide. He expertly spits an entire verse comparing his death to a marriage. At the end of his verse he screams "I'm not crazy, I'm a fucking table!" and is sedated by a nurse. As he falls under the tranquilizers, he asks why no one asked him, and concludes that it's because no one gave a fuck. Thus prompts the monologue from Dr. TC:  

[Dr. TC]

Someone gave a fuck Tyler

And, uh, the person that gave a fuck was me

See, you’re not, going crazy, it’s me, I’m your best friend Tyler

I know everything, I know everything about you

You’ve been helping yourself this whole time

Your friends, they’re just figments of your imagination

Dr. TC, see Tyler, I’m your conscience

I’m Tron Cat, I’m Ace, I’m Wolf Haley, I’m...

[Tyler, the Creator]

me.

This is the true genius of the album. This plot twist entices the mind and causes one to double take the entire experience. Tyler utilizes the many depths of his own sanity as well as the subject materials of his songs to create a spectrum of emotional discord resulting in a chaotic yet magnetic work of art.    

I could have denied this as a masterpiece on the first listen and jumped on the wagon with Mr. Davies, but then we would both be wrong. Tyler, the Creator isn't ruining rap, he's just casually grinding on the line between acceptable and abominable (and looking very stylish while doing so).