Let's talk Tyler The Creator: Rapper or Mega Trendsetter?

When I think of Tyler The Creator I imagine Will's jokes and larger-than-life persona, Carleton's preppy fashion style, and Jazz's chill, nonchalant attitude, from the 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Tyler has been in the rap game for about a decade now and his rise to fame has largely been due to his focus on living in the moment, making art, and expressing himself through his favourite outlet, music. Throughout his decade-long experience in the music industry, he's made friends with artists larger and smaller than himself, and his career has even grown alongside other artists; watching and aiding to their rise to fame from artists such as Kali Uchis to Vince Staples. His most well-known friendship is probably with renowned rapper, and now partner to Rihanna, A$Ap Rocky. Their friendship is really one to be marveled at for many reasons. One is that these two are polar opposites, Rocky is more a hardcore gangsta rapper from Harlem (although he's secretly a softie,) and exudes his type of music through his clothes, and especially music videos. His best friend Tyler is in many ways on the other end of the "gangsta rap" spectrum.

Reading Will Smith's memoir, appropriately titled, Will, allowed me to travel back in time and understand the core roots of how the rap/hip-hop scene came to be. As a non-black person, it was interesting to read about his experience in dealing with the certain cultural dynamics of the early industry that did not always provide the support he expected, "Hip-hop was not just our music-it was dance; it was fashion, street art, politics, social justice. It was everything; it was life; it was us." He goes on to explain that when he entered the game he was scrutinized by other artists of the same genre for being "too soft" for keeping his music as clean as possible, due to a life-changing request from his grandmother, Gigi. It was a very raw insight into the experiences "non-conventional" rappers go through when they do not fit the mould of what a mega rap star should embody.

However, that was 40 years ago, and today we can see immense change in the music industry, fashion industry, and overall belief systems in society in terms of open-mindedness, diversity, and sexuality. To me, this is Tyler's secret ingredient: he embodies the time period. If he rose to fame exactly 10 years ago the world certainly would not have been ready; and if he rose to fame 10 years from now, perhaps he would be just like every other ushanka-wearing rapper. Thankfully, this is not the case. Tyler has a certain magic about him that draws people in and peaks curiosity from all angles. He doesn't have to be the most good-looking guy in the room, vocally talented, or anything else to be noticed; all he has to do is be himself. Now, as cliché as that sounds, I believe this is true for 3 reasons, let me break it down:

1- He's found what fashion style suits him and what doesn't. For example, if he dressed exactly like Rocky, then he would be exactly like Rocky... and how is that supposed to get him noticed? His posh, calculated, preppy look is what sets him apart from the rest. He looks like a high-fashion celebrity. I don't know if he manifested this, but whatever crystal he's using sure seems to be working.

2- His style is gender-fluid, meaning men, women, babies, children, infants, aliens, unicorns, and even whales can figure out a way to incorporate his classy, 70s business casual look into their own style.

3- At the end of the day, he just doesn't give a flying f*uck about what you think about him. Whether you like him or hate him, you must admit his mindset has garnered him an air of status and respect. In his 2017 Cherry Bomb documentary, one of his fans even went as far as to call him "uncancellable" (perhaps a synonym for invincible.)

Overall, Tyler The Creator is an artist. He makes music, he performs, he tells jokes, and he looks stunning while doing it all. Part of Tyler's genius is that he doesn't even use the art of fashion as an extension of himself, it is wholly and authentically who he is.