Tyler, The Creator took a well-deserved victory lap and brought festival-goers along for a joyful ride down memory lane on Saturday (Nov. 16) when he headlined the first night of Camp Flog Gnaw at his Los Angeles hometown’s Dodger Stadium.
The ambient sounds of a shipping dock — deep-toned ship horns, squawking seagulls and crashing waves — play before Tyler marches onto the stage and incites “Chromakooooooopia” chants from the crowd. A single green light highlights the masked and military uniform-donning headliner standing atop a “Chromakopia” shipping container. Tyler introduced the album’s aesthetic exactly one month ago on Oct. 16, when he released the “St. Chroma” video. And already, he’s created another definitive character in the Tyler Cinematic Universe, where commitment to world-building is paramount for every one of his projects.
He forges ahead to the next three songs off CHROMAKOPIA’s track list. “The biggest out the city after Kenny, that’s a fact now,” he reaffirms on the subsequent track “Rah Tah Tah.” Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem, who were billed as The Hillbillies, headlined the first night of Camp Flog Gnaw just last year. Tyler isn’t typically one to do the honors given the fact that it’s his festival (and he already rewards himself with the most performance time out of any other artist on the lineup). Giving other luminaries the primetime slot is a courtesy, but this year’s different because Tyler gradually ascends into a higher echelon of stardom with each album.
He’s reached cult icon status without having a definitive “hit,” and now he’s earned his first three Billboard Hot 100 top 10s with an album that was released on an off-cycle Monday but has become Tyler’s biggest album to date. His star continues to burn even brighter, but the overexposure proves it can sometimes be destructive. “Noid” feels particularly poignant given his recent heated encounter with paparazzi as he was leaving the GQ Men of the Year party on Thursday night.
“No cameras out, please, I wanna eat in peace/ Don’t wanna take pictures with you n—as or bi—es,” he spits on the second verse with an extra splatter of vitriol.
But Tyler doesn’t marinate in the sour feeling. Over the instrumental outro of “Darling I,” he pauses to prematurely celebrate his album’s three-week No. 1 streak on the Billboard 200. “Thank all you motherf–kers for supporting me, man, for real. To do that, at my 10th carnival in my f—ing city, what’re we talking about?! I don’t even have no heartfelt message. I’m really filled with so much love and joy,” Tyler beams. “We did the new sh–, y’all clearly know it and like it. So if you don’t mind, I’mma go through my old sh– real fast.”
Tyler takes it back to last year with “WUSYANAME,” “LUMBERJACK” and “DOGTOOTH” from his Grammy-winning album Call Me If You Get Lost before rewinding all the way back to 2011 with “She” and “Yonkers” from his Goblin LP and splicing in cuts from 2013’s Wolf, 2017’s Flower Boy and 2019’s IGOR. He asks the audience to take over Playboi Carti‘s verse on “EARFQUAKE” because “this n—a in Vegas” headlining ComplexCon, but he’s slated to close out the second and final night of Camp Flog Gnaw on Sunday (Nov. 17).
“I wanted to build a place where n—as could just come and just be, and it’s beautiful to see that y’all have been rocking with me for real. All this s–t really be starting from my notebook. It’s f—ing crazy, bruh! N—as is really three weeks No. 1, and I’m like, ‘What the f— going on? This is crazy!’” he says. “This is a test run ’cause all the songs are so new. The first four went great, could I continue to do some new s—?”
He shushes the festival-goers’ affirmative response so they can pick up the introductory whistle of his Hot 100 top 10 hit “Sticky,” where B-roll of step teams and marching bands complement the song’s cheerful energy. But Sexyy Red‘s surprise appearance cranks it up a thousandfold. Tyler gasses her up while she twerks for the crowd, and he even throws it back and earns a satisfactory smack from her.
They match each other’s freak as well as the same IDGAF energy of their viral booty-popping, middle-finger-flinging photo. “I love you, girl. She’s so sweet,” Tyler sings her praises as she heads off the stage and repeats the “It’s gettin’ sticky!” hook. But the raunchy rapper can’t deliver more fitting final words than “He was sucking up on my coochie, y’all.”
Tyler invites more CHROMAKOPIA guests like ScHoolboy Q for “Thought I Was Dead” and the “motherf–king swamp princess” Doechii and “my motherf—ing brother” Daniel Caesar for “Balloon.” “This n—a helped me with this album, I get emotional when I see this n—a ’cause he came through for me for CHROMAKOPIA,” Tyler says of Caesar, who performed on the main stage just right before him and is featured on “St. Chroma” and “Take Your Mask Off.” It took a village to make his latest masterpiece, but he built an even bigger one right before his eyes.
Check out the full set list for Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw headlining set below:
1. “St. Chroma”
2. “Rah Tah Tah”
3. “Noid”
4. “Darling, I”
5. “WUSYANAME”
6. “LUMBERJACK”
7. “DOGTOOTH”
8. “She”
9. “Yonkers”
10. “Tamale”
11. Boredom
12. “Who Dat Boy”
13. “I THINK”
14. “EARFQUAKE”
15. “Sticky” (with Sexyy Red)
16. “Take Your Mask Off”
17. “Thought I Was Dead” (with ScHoolboy Q)
18. “Like Him”
19. “Balloon” (with Doechii and Daniel Caesar)
20. “NEW MAGIC WAND”
21. “See You Again”
Tyler, The Creator delivered an unforgettable performance at Camp Flog Gnaw, taking fans on a nostalgic journey through his music catalog. From headlining the event at Dodger Stadium to showcasing tracks from his latest album, CHROMAKOPIA, Tyler’s set was a highlight of the festival. Let’s dive into the details of his epic performance and the special moments that made it truly memorable.
Memorable Moments at Camp Flog Gnaw
The atmosphere at Camp Flog Gnaw was electric as Tyler, The Creator took the stage amidst the sounds of a shipping dock. The crowd erupted into “Chromakooooooopia” chants, setting the tone for an incredible performance. Tyler’s attention to detail, from his masked appearance to the “Chromakopia” shipping container set, highlighted his commitment to creating a unique visual experience for his fans.
Ascension to Stardom
Tyler’s journey to stardom has been marked by his unconventional approach to music. Despite not having a traditional “hit” song, he has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success with CHROMAKOPIA. His Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits showcase his evolution as an artist and his ability to connect with audiences on a deeper level. However, with fame comes challenges, as seen in his candid lyrics on tracks like “Noid.”
Emotional Moments and Surprises
One of the standout moments of Tyler’s set was his interaction with special guests like ScHoolboy Q and Daniel Caesar. Their performances added an emotional depth to the show, highlighting the collaborative spirit behind CHROMAKOPIA. Additionally, surprises like Sexyy Red’s appearance brought a new energy to the stage, showcasing Tyler’s ability to connect with both his fans and fellow artists.
Set List Highlights
Tyler’s set list was a mix of old favorites and new hits, showcasing his versatility as an artist. From tracks like “Yonkers” and “She” to newer songs like “Sticky,” each performance was a testament to Tyler’s growth and evolution as a musician. The audience’s enthusiastic response to both classic and recent tracks solidified Tyler’s status as a revered artist in the music industry.
Conclusion
Tyler, The Creator’s headlining performance at Camp Flog Gnaw was a testament to his artistry and creativity. From his engaging stage presence to the emotional moments shared with special guests, Tyler captivated the audience and delivered a show to remember. As he continues to push boundaries and defy expectations, Tyler’s impact on the music world remains undeniable.
FAQs
Q: What was the highlight of Tyler, The Creator’s set at Camp Flog Gnaw?
A: The highlight of Tyler’s set was his emotional performances with special guests like ScHoolboy Q and Daniel Caesar, adding a personal touch to the show.
Q: How did Tyler, The Creator engage with the audience during his performance?
A: Tyler interacted with the audience by inviting them to participate in certain songs and creating a lively atmosphere throughout his set.
Q: What was the significance of CHROMAKOPIA in Tyler’s music career?
A: CHROMAKOPIA marked a new chapter in Tyler’s music career, showcasing his growth as an artist and earning him critical acclaim and commercial success.
Credit: www.billboard.com
