Anonymous asked: I'm interested in knowing your thoughts of Tyler The Creator (if you are familiar with him). Like him or hate him, he is making huge waves.
The Latest:
http://stereogum.com/706042/tyler-the-creator-responds-to-tegan-sara/franchises/wheres-the-beef/
The only exposure I’ve had to Tyler The Creator’s music was a few nights ago at a live music venue when, between sets, a song of his came over the loudspeakers. I remember LOVING the beat, but trying hard not to focus on the lyrics.
Based on what I’ve read about Tyler, I’m really not interested in hearing any of his work. I made a conscious decision about 3 years ago to avoid listening to music that contained messages that perpetuated the psychological terrorism that sexism, homophobia, and other social ills plague so many of us with on a regular and constant basis. As a result, I listen to a lot more instrumental hip-hop (e.g. Flying Lotus, Fat Jon The Ample Soul Physician, J Dilla) than hip-hop that contains vocals.
I understand the OFWGKTA collective is made up of a bunch of kids as young as 17 (Tyler is only 20) who are “still finding their way” or “doing it for attention, publicity, and shock value,” but that doesn’t mean anyone is obligated to put up with that. Like Tegan & Sara, I think it’s disappointing that people are in such deeply passive collusion with these kids making songs that are full of so much ignorance and hate. If they are talented and intelligent enough, they will do better in the future. For now, I cannot support what they do.
Not all of the work that comes from the Odd Future collective gives that affect, though. I actually really enjoy singer-songwriter Frank Ocean’s Nostalgia, Ultra mixtape. Frank’s voice (which I’m looking forward to hearing an increase in range and strength in as time passes) takes me back to the Tevin Campbell days, and his lyrics demonstrate self-awareness and nuance. On “We All Try,” a mid-tempo jam about having faith in humankind, he sings “I believe that marriage isn’t between a man and woman, but between love and love.” Though age is not a litmus for maturity, it should come as no surprise that Frank, at 24, is among the oldest of OFWGKTA.
There’s a movement happening in music right now where men are, not only singing again, but expressing emotional vulnerability in their lyrics (see also: The Weeknd “Wicked Games” and Drake “Find Your Love”). Frank Ocean’s a definite stronghold in this movement and, for now, one of very few reasons anyone who feels the way I do should peruse Odd Future’s collective discography.
