‘Chromakopia’ follows a familiar formula but still surpasses expectations
Graphic via The Revolver Club.
Masquerading is nothing new for Tyler Okonma, known more commonly by his stage name Tyler, The Creator. From his animated commercial appearances and fashion line to album covers and many monikers (Tyler, The Creator, Wolf Haley, Gap Tooth T), the rapper consistently offers a different version of himself. And true to form, on the cover of his latest studio album, Chromakopia, he graces the cover — wait for it — wearing a mask.
This is no coincidence.The vulnerability at the core of Chromakopia is hidden behind a mask of sorts.
Chromakopia is yet another victory lap for the California native, following 2021’s Call Me If You Get Lost, a personal story of identity and fatherhood, and the winning vulnerability heard on 2019’s Igor. But Chromakopia takes a step forward on the storytelling front.
On “Hey Jane,” Okonma raps about impregnating someone, and struggling with the idea of fatherhood — a recurring theme throughout. “Like Him” pays tribute to his mother while admonishing his absentee father. “Mama, I’m chasin’ a ghost,” he raps. The track closes with a poignant and revelatory clip from his mother, taking blame for his father’s absence. It’s a full circle moment for long-time fans, as Okonma has struggled with paternal problems since the early 2010s.
Chromakopia has moments of levity: “Noid,” the lead single, is an eclectic banger with a Zambian flavour, while “Darling, I” and “St. Chroma” balance sweet and sappy. Several others (“Judge Judy” and “Take Your Mask Off”) play with the idea of identity. Despite the flashy style, Okonma’s hip-hop roots remain, with layered lyrics and complex beats.
The album lacks anything overwhelmingly new, however. The sound sticks close to what we’ve heard before, and these arrangements are anything but surprising. But he finds a sense of peace by the end, shedding his mask and encouraging listeners to seek their own comfort.
