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Chromakopia - Wikipedia

Chromakopia (stylized in all caps) is the eighth studio album by American rapper and producer Tyler, the Creator. It was released through Columbia Records on October 28, 2024,[1] serving as the follow-up to Call Me If You Get Lost (2021).[2] Chromakopia was written, produced, and arranged by Tyler himself.[3] The album features guest appearances from Daniel Caesar, Doechii, GloRilla, LaToiya Williams, Lil Wayne, Lola Young, Santigold, Schoolboy Q, Sexyy Red, and Teezo Touchdown, with physical releases of the album additionally featuring Playboi Carti.[4]

Chromakopia
A photo in a single chroma of a masked man in a suit, with his right hand stretched out
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 28, 2024
Genre
Length52:54
LabelColumbia
ProducerTyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator chronology
Call Me If You Get Lost
(2021)
Chromakopia
(2024)
Singles from Chromakopia
  1. "Noid"
    Released: October 21, 2024

Chromakopia received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised the lyricism, cohesiveness, and production, and even noted its messy and confusing nature as a positive.[5] The album was supported by its lead single, "Noid", as well as two promotional samples, from "St. Chroma" and "Thought I Was Dead".

Background and recording

On October 27, 2024, during Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia exclusive listening event, Tyler revealed the meaning behind the album, noting that the album was originally about him growing up in Hawthorne, Inglewood. He revealed on stage that "no one knows anything about [him] from before [he] was like 17" and that the record turned into Tyler "taking a bunch of shit [his] mom told [him] as a kid."[6]

I was born and raised in L.A., Inglewood, Hawthorne to be exact. This album originally started about growing up in these areas. I was like, "Oh, shit, no one knows anything about me from before I was like 17." Folks are like "Oh, he's from the suburbs." No, nigga, I was down the street here. And I don't mirror what they expect, so ... But the album now has turned into me taking a bunch of shit my mom told me as a kid. Now that I'm 33 all of that stuff is like, "Oh, that's what the fuck she was talking about. Oh, I'm not the guy that I was at 20. Like, oh shit, people are getting older ... Folks having kids and families and all I got is a new Ferrari." And it does feel kind of weird. I'm gaining weight, I've got grey hair on my chest, life is life-ing. I don't know, I just wanted to kind of just write about stuff that I think about when I'm dolo. And I'm happy y'all got a chance to experience it in my hometown. So thanks y'all for coming.

Composition

Music

Primarily a hip hop, R&B, and jazz album, Chromakopia embraces eclectic instrumentation.[7] It blends musical styles reminiscent of Tyler's fourth album Flower Boy (2017), such as neo soul melodies and synthesizer-based arrangements.[7] Military cadences and soulful elements are also present on the album.[8]

Themes and lyrics

Chromakopia is narrated by Tyler's mother, Bonita Smith.[9] Its concept was inspired by his experience growing up in Greater Los Angeles and the life lessons he learned from Smith as a child, that he began to understand and appreciate as he grew older.[10] Before the album's release, publications speculated that the album could be based on the story of Chroma the Great, a powerful conductor whose orchestra creates the colors of the world, from the 1961 children's novel The Phantom Tollbooth.[11] Dork's Jake Hawkes notes the character ties into the album's aesthetics, but has little impact on the lyrical material.[12]

Music critics characterized Chromakopia as an early midlife crisis album revolving around the concerns young adults have over their newfound adulthood.[13] Its protagonist, St. Chroma, is introduced on the opening track of the same name. Smith describes him as the light and tells him to never dim his light for anyone.[14] "Rah Tah Tah" features braggadocios lyrics, as Tyler declares himself as the biggest rapper from Los Angeles after Kendrick Lamar.[12] "Noid", on the other hand, explores his anxieties with celebrity culture and parasocial relationships.[15] In "Darling, I", featuring vocals by Teezo Touchdown, Tyler reflects on his artistic ambition and the practice of monogamy.[10]

Titled after the abortion-related healthcare company, "Hey Jane" stages a conversation between Tyler and an anonymous, older woman in the wake of an unplanned pregnancy.[16] Billboard's Mackenzie Cummings-Grady wrote that on the record, Tyler "speaks on his consuming paranoia" while narrating his "desire for children".[17]

Release and promotion

 
The Chromakopia logo, using the font Poleno Semi Bold, with horn-like accents

Provoked by Beyoncé's surprise release of her 2013 self-titled album,[18] the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) changed the day of the week when music is released worldwide from Tuesday to Friday.[19] Tyler criticized the industry standard in a 2023 interview with Nardwuar, suggesting that it promotes "passive listening".[20] He chose to release Chromakopia on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 6 a.m. ET.[21]

Trucks and shipping containers promoting Chromakopia were spotted in various cities across the U.S., including Tyler, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbus, Philadelphia, Roswell, Phoenix, Hawthorne (Tyler's hometown), and Los Angeles.[22] One day before its release, Tyler held an album listening party at the Intuit Dome.[6]

Singles

On October 16, 2024, Tyler posted a teaser for Chromakopia's opening track, "St. Chroma", on his social media accounts.[23] He revealed the album's name, release date, and cover art the following day.[24][25] The album's lead single, "Noid" was released on October 21.[26][27] A teaser for its eleventh track, "Thought I Was Dead", was shared on October 26.[28][29] Three more songs were teased in a promotional video for the album's limited edition vinyl.[30]

Tour

Chromakopia: the World Tour was announced on October 23, 2024, with additional shows announced October 29, 2024.[31] Promoted by AEG Presents, the tour will feature special guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas, with 50 dates across North America, including the U.S. and Canada, 18 dates in Europe and the UK, and 10 shows scheduled in Oceania, covering Australia and New Zealand. The tour will take place throughout 2025.[32]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.0/10[33]
Metacritic82/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash9/10[34]
ConsequenceA-[35]
Dork     [12]
The Guardian     [13]
The Line of Best Fit9/10[9]
Rolling Stone     [36]
Pitchfork7.6/10[37]

Chromakopia was met with widespread critical acclaim. According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Chromakopia received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 from 10 critic scores.[5] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 8.00 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[38]

Writing for Clash, Niall Smith wrote that "the project's mid-section advances the album's winning streak", however, "while there aren't any outright weak tracks" on the record, occasionally, "the pacing feels slightly less focused than Tyler's previous work". Smith concluded that "while some elements feel a bit safe, the sound design is chiseled and sharper" while noting that the album showcases Tyler's "now-mastered style in HD glory".[34] Consequence's Jonah Krueger wrote that "the maternal presence is felt throughout the tracklist" and that Tyler "[explores] his anxieties and trauma" throughout the record.[35] Writing for Dork, Jake Hawkes noted that Chromakopia is a project "that bulges at the seams" and that "Tyler somehow wrangles it into something cohesive". Hawkes continued, "lyrically, Tyler seems at his most confessional in years", before concluding, stating that the album "has depth, it has worldbuilding, but just as importantly, it has some absolute bangers, too".[12] The Guardian's Alexis Petridis wrote that "tracks shift and slip their moorings, lurching from one sound to another" and that often, they change "completely over the course of a few minutes". Petridis concluded that "Chromakopia ultimately seems to manifest a state of confusion, in which everything is in flux and nothing is quite as it initially seems".[13]

Steven Loftin for The Line of Best Fit wrote that "Chromakopia's execution has been well thought out and finessed", however, "it is messy and it is truthful". Loftin expressed that the album "continues piecing together the Tyler, the Creator puzzle without making the picture any clearer".[9] Tom Breihan, writing for Stereogum, mentioned the album's similarity with Kendrick Lamar's album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022), noting that Chromakopia is "Tyler's therapy record, his self-conscious attempt to figure his shit out in full view of the public".[39] Billboard's Mackenzie Cummings-Grady wrote that the album "contains something for everyone" and that "within this universal and at times nostalgic construction, the album is also incredibly reflective".[17]

Commercial performance

Chromakopia earned over 85,665,784 first-day streams on the global Spotify chart, averaging over 6 million streams per song. This makes it the biggest hip hop album debut on Spotify of 2024 and top 20 of all time. It also simultaneously occupied the entire top 14 on the US Spotify charts, with St. Chroma being #1 with 5.261 million streams.[40] Chromakopia also reached #1 on the US Apple Music Albums chart and simultaneously occupied the entire top 12 on the US Apple Music Songs Chart with St. Chroma also being #1.[41]

Despite being released on Monday, Chromakopia is predicted to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with as high as 300,000+ album equivalent units sold in its partial week.[42] If Chromakopia sells what is predicted or more, it will surpass Call Me If You Get Lost (169,000 units) as Tyler's biggest first week sales. The album will also mark as the biggest debut, by units, for a rap album released in 2024.[43]

Track listing

All tracks are written, produced, and arranged by Tyler Okonma, with additional writers noted. "Balloon" additionally produced by Jayda Love.[3]

Chromakopia track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."St. Chroma" (featuring Daniel Caesar)3:17
2."Rah Tah Tah" 2:45
3."Noid"4:44
4."Darling, I" (featuring Teezo Touchdown)4:13
5."Hey Jane" 4:00
6."I Killed You" 2:48
7."Judge Judy" 4:29
8."Sticky" (featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne)
4:15
9."Take Your Mask Off" (featuring Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams)
  • Okonma
  • Kathryn Thomas
  • Gregory Cook
4:13
10."Tomorrow"Simmonds3:02
11."Thought I Was Dead" (featuring Schoolboy Q and Santigold) 3:27
12."Like Him" (featuring Lola Young) 4:38
13."Balloon" (featuring Doechii)2:34
14."I Hope You Find Your Way Home" 4:29
Total length:52:54
Vinyl test pressing bonus track
No.TitleLength
15."Mother" (also known as "Told Me/Turned Out Fine"[44])4:14
Total length:57:08

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[45]

Musicians

  • Tyler Okonma – lead vocals, production, arrangement, executive production (all tracks)
  • Daniel Caesar – featured vocals (tracks 1, 9), background vocals (tracks 6, 10), bass (track 10)
  • Teezo Touchdown – featured vocals (track 4)
  • GloRilla – featured vocals (track 8)
  • Lil Wayne – featured vocals (track 8)
  • Sexyy Red – featured vocals (track 8)
  • LaToiya Williams – featured vocals (track 9)
  • ScHoolboy Q – featured vocals (track 11)
  • Santigold – featured vocals (track 11), additional vocals (track 6)
  • Playboi Carti – featured vocals (track 11)[e]
  • Lola Young – featured vocals (track 12)
  • Doechii – featured vocals (track 13)
  • Bonita Smith – additional vocals (tracks 1, 3, 4–5, 9–15)
  • Willow – additional vocals (track 3)
  • Jazmine Freeman - additional vocals (track 8)
  • Laila S. Freeman - additional vocals (track 8)
  • Donald Glover – background vocals (tracks 6, 7)
  • Rex Orange County - background vocals (track 7)
  • Justin Levy - background vocals (track 12)
  • Robert Stevenson - background vocals (track 12)
  • Pedro Martins – guitar (tracks 1, 3-6, 10)
  • Thundercat – bass (tracks 3, 6, 7, 9, 12)
  • Steve Lacy – guitar (track 7)
  • Inflo - drums (track 3), additional vocals (track 3)
  • Kevin Kendricks - piano (tracks 3, 7, 9, 14)
  • Biako - guitar (track 10)
  • Johnny May - strings (track 10), keyboard (track 13)
  • Klynik - keyboard (track 13)
  • Vic Wainstein - keyboard (track 13)
  • Christopher Burns - horn (tracks 8, 11)
  • Jason P. Freeman - horn (tracks 8, 11)
  • Jerry E. Freeman Jr. - horn (tracks 8, 11)
  • Kebbi Williams - horn (tracks 8, 11)
  • Brandon Lee Brown - whistles (track 8)

Technical

  • Vic Wainstein – engineering (all tracks)
  • Tyler Okonma – recording engineering (all tracks)
  • NealHPogue – mixing (all tracks)
  • Mike Bozzi – mastering (all tracks)
  • Andrew Keller – additional engineering (track 4)
  • Donald Glover – additional engineering (tracks 6, 7)
  • Aaron Bolton – additional engineering (track 8)
  • Adam Clark – additional engineering (track 8)
  • Chris Carmouche – additional engineering (track 8)
  • Manny Galvez – additional engineering (track 8)
  • Mikaelin BlueSpruce – additional engineering (track 8)
  • Salvador Majail – additional engineering (track 8)
  • Romil Hemnani – additional engineering (track 11)
  • Jayda Love – additional engineering (track 13)
  • WavyBoyJodii – additional engineering (track 14)
  • Zachary Acosta - engineering assistance (all tracks)
  • Collin Clark – engineering assistance (track 4)
  • Danforth Webster – engineering assistance (track 4)
  • Garrett Duncan – engineering assistance (track 4)
  • Jonathan Lopez Garcia – engineering assistance (track 4)
  • Patrick Gardner – engineering assistance (track 4)
  • Terena Dawn – engineering assistance (track 4)
  • Jordan Schneider – engineering assistance (track 14)
  • Nicole Llorens – engineering assistance (track 14)
  • Nathan Hoffeldt - engineering assistance (tracks 1, 14)

Charts

Chart performance for Chromakopia
Chart (2024) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[47] 11

Notes

  1. ^ "Noid" contains excerpts from "Nizakupanga Ngzo", written by Paul Nyirongo, performed by Ngozi Family.
  2. ^ a b "Darling, I" contains a sample from "Vivrant Thing", written by Kamaal Fareed and Barry White, performed by Q-Tip.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Sticky" contains a sample from "Get Up Offa That Thing", written by Deanna Brown, Deidre Brown, and Yamma Brown, performed by James Brown; and a sample from "Get Buck", written by David Brown, Timothy Clayton, Jamal Jones, Zachary Wallace, and Elvis Williams, performed by Young Buck.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Balloon" contains excerpts from "I Wanna Rock", written by Luther Campbell, Harry Wayne Casey, and Richard Finch, performed by Luke and Rob Base.
  5. ^ Playboi Carti only appears on the physical edition of the album.[46]

References

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  2. ^ Murray, Robin (October 28, 2024). "Listen To Tyler, The Creator's Chromakopia Now". Clash. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cowen, Trace William (October 28, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia Album: Features and Credits". Complex. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  4. ^ Monroe, Jazz (October 28, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Releases New Album Chromakopia: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
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  7. ^ a b Clarke, Simone (October 28, 2024). "Tyler The Creator Drops Chromakopia, His Boldest Album Yet". MEFeater. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  8. ^ Hudson, Alex (October 17, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Announces New Album Chromakopia". Exclaim!. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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  10. ^ a b Cowen, Trace Willam (October 28, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Reflects on Monogamy and Artistic Ambition in "Darling, I" Song: 'Lonely With These Grammys'". Complex. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
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  23. ^ Kreps, Daniel (October 16, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Hints at New Music With 'St. Chroma' Teaser". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
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  25. ^ Saponara, Michael (October 17, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Announces Chromakopia Album Release Date & Reveals Cover Art". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  26. ^ Diaz, Angel (October 21, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Tries to Outrun His Celebrity in "Noid" Video Featuring The Bear Star Ayo Edebiri". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  27. ^ Blistein, Jon (October 21, 2024). "Tyler, the Creator Keeps One Eye Open on "Noid," Taps Ayo Edebiri for Music Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
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