Since his debut with “Off Future,” Tyler, The Creator has experienced a significant artistic evolution. With this eighth album, “Chromakopia,” which was released through Columbia Records on Oct. 28, 2024, Tyler, The Creator pushed into new territory, challenging assumptions about what a hip-hop album can be.
Breaking industry norms from the start of the album’s release, Tyler chose to release the album on a Monday at 6 a.m. EST rather than the standard Friday releases that are normalized within the industry. This decision likely stemmed from his dislike of releasing music on Fridays, which he argued promotes “passive listening” in a 2023 interview with Nardwaur. The promotion of the album included mysterious shipping containers appearing across U.S. cities like Houston, Atlanta and Tyler’s hometown of Hawthorne, which culminated into an intimate listening party at Intuit Dome the day before the album’s release.
The album’s title presents multiple layers of meaning, ‘Chroma’ refers to Chroma the Great from “The Phantom Tollbooth,” an animated conductor of an orchestra that creates the colors of the world. In his album, Tyler plays the character of Chroma the Great, which is further exemplified as the album’s trailer video shows Tyler ‘conducting’ people into a shipping box. While Chroma ties into the album’s aesthetics, the narrative takes a more personal turn, exploring Tyler’s journey and growth.
“Chromakopia” serves as a midlife crisis album, exploring the intricacy of newfound adulthood. Through a narration by his mother, Bonita Smith, the album explores Tyler’s upbringing in the Los Angeles area and the wisdom he gained over time. Smith’s voice adds an emotional aspect throughout the album.
Throughout the tracklist, Tyler exposes his personal struggles and raw emotions more openly than in his previous works. The lead single, “Noid,” dives deep into Tyler’s anxieties about celebrity culture. While “Rah Tah Tah” showcases his arrogant side as he declares himself the biggest rapper from Los Angeles, other than Kendrick Lamar. “Hey Jane,” named after the healthcare company known for providing abortion-related healthcare services, follows a powerful conversation between Tyler and an older woman about an unplanned pregnancy.
The impressive lineup of collaborators enhances this project, bringing together acclaimed artists. Daniel Caesar’s vocals on “St. Chroma” sets the tone for the album. While collaborations with Lil Wayne, Childish Gambino and Frank Ocean demonstrate Tyler’s ability to bring out the best in his featured artists. Additionally, rising stars like GloRilla and Sexyy Red add fresh energy to tracks like “Sticky,” which are one of the album’s biggest hits.
Commercially, “Chromakopia” has shattered records, gaining over 85 million first-day streams globally on Spotify, and becoming the biggest hip-hop album released in 2024. Additionally, critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with Metacritic awarding it a score of 85 out of 100. Critics have praised the album’s complex nature, with The Line of Best Fit describing it as “messy and truthful,” while highlighting its well-thought-out execution.
The album’s impact will extend into 2025, with “Chromakopia: The World Tour,” which will feature special guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas. “Chromakopia” will bring Tyler’s colorful vision to stages worldwide.
Through “Chromakopia,” Tyler continues to push artistic boundaries while maintaining his distinctive voice. The album stands as a testament to his evolution in the music industry, challenging expectations of what hip-hop can achieve, while creating something personal and universally relatable. In doing so, he has created not just an album, but a complete artistic statement that solidifies his place as one of hip-hop’s most innovative voices.