OK TYLER THE CREATOR

IV. album cover

III. VISUAL ANALYSIS

II. THE SONG

I. THE ARTIST

Tyler the Creator

"Buffalo"

IV. album cover

III. VISUAL ANALYSIS

II. THE SONG

I. THE ARTIST

tyler the creator

Tyler the Creator was born on March 1991 in California. He grew up in a middle-class family and was raised by his single mother. Tyler attended various schools in the Los Angeles area and showed an early interest in art, particularly in graphic design and music. He was introduced to hip-hop as a teenager and began producing his own beats and experimenting with music at a young age. Tyler has never been known for being a sensitive man. he's known for unambiguous lyrics about disturbing subjects such as rape, murder, homophobia, and infanticide. Over the past decade, Tyler has been banned from the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for “inciting terrorism”. His 4th album "Flower Boy" is regarded as one of Tyler’s most accomplished and critically acclaimed works and was nominated for the Grammys for the Best Rap Album in 2017.

IV. album cover

III. VISUAL ANALYSIS

II. THE SONG

I. THE ARTIST

"buffalo" (ft. shane powers)

Tyler the Creator’s song "Buffalo" from his 2015 album Cherry Bomb, is about the struggles and experiences of Black individuals, particularly focusing on issues of racial discrimination. Through his narrative, Tyler reflects on the feeling of being marginalized because of one's race. He criticizes how these external forces shape the lives of Black individuals, forcing them to navigate a world that constantly places barriers in their path "And fuck them crackers up at Mountain Dew them n**** is racist" "I bought me a mansion, and bought some attention Ain't give none to Hopsin And dear Boyce Watkins Why you mad? It's the slave in me" "It's facts boy I'm back like Rosa Parks least favorite seat"

IV. album cover

III. VISUAL ANALYSIS

II. THE SONG

I. THE ARTIST

"buffalo" (ft. shane powers)

I chose this song because of the violence in the lyrics and the video clip. Indeed, Tyler's songs are often exaggerated or metaphorical rather than literal, acting as a form of emotional release rather than an incitement to harm. In this song, Tyler is showing the multiple aspects of his personality and talents, while using the video to focus on the racial themes. To me, the shocking and violent imagery in this clip video is a strong and straightforward representation of racism, especially in the United States. His lyrics is a form of rebellion against conventional standards.

IV. album cover

III. VISUAL ANALYSIS

II. THE SONG

I. THE ARTIST

In the video clip, Tyler is covered in white paint, being lynched by a group of Afro-American men, mimicking Klu Klux Klan lynching. The branch he’s hanging from breaks, so Tyler proceeds to run from the group. The situation changes when he wipes the makeup off to reveal a blackface, which calms the mob enough to allow him to deliver a sermon. The video clip is devoided of bright colors, there is only shades of black and white. But Tyler and his clothes are standing out. We can see he is wearing a tshirt with a rainbow, symbol of the LGBT community. All along the clip video, we can feel his frustration and anger for being viewed as a threat and weird to people who fear the difference. He also criticizes people who rather listen and follow instead of actually leading something.

IV. album cover

III. VISUAL ANALYSIS

II. THE SONG

I. THE ARTIST

In order to represent the song, I would chose this illustration made by the polish artist designer Marlena Buczek Smith, renowned for her impactful posters, commercial graphic designs, and paintings. Marlena's work is deeply rooted in social and political commentary, addressing critical issues such as war, peace, human rights, and environmental concerns. In this illustration we can see a black person chained upside down with a red band across the mouth. It suggests the enslavement,the violence and the loss of freedom of speech. In the top right-hand corner, we can read "Where are my rights" According to me, this image symbolizes the oppression, dehumanization and injustice towards the black community. It transcripts perfectly the song of Tyler the Creator, provoking a protest message.

To conclude, Black singers from the United States like Tyler the Creator who use their voices to highlight the oppression of the Black community play a crucial role in both music and social change. From the soul-stirring blues of the past to the hip-hop anthems of today, these artists have kept the fight for equality alive, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed are heard worldwide. Their music educates, empowers, and unites people in the ongoing struggle against racial injustice. By listening, sharing, and acting upon the messages in their music, we contribute to the fight for a more just and equal society.