Album: Goblin
Song: Yonkers
Over a bone-dry sample, a guiro coughed through a mouthful of dust, Tyler the Creator spits gristle. At its bleakest a glimpse of a better outcome: a life-affirming gospel-inflected rhythm 'n' jazz break. A false hope, the deathly, insistent percussion scraping to its bitter end.
I'm not quite sure what to make of this tune. It's shocking, but is it anything more? There's lyrical prowess here, and an interesting rhythmic flow, and a creative use of samples, but I can't help shake the nagging feeling that there is also something deeply childish about all of this. Petulant and childish. Like an angst-ridden teen eager to prove that his daily existence is more horrifying, more profound, more important.
Then again, Tyler the Creator is only 19 years old. Lots of time to grow as an artist. And I must admit that as much I harbor doubt about the artistic merit of this track I keep returning to it. It's compelling, to be sure, and much more interesting than the vast majority of commercial hip-hop. I mean, Tyler > Kanye, without a doubt.
Not to mention he is the leader of the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All collective. They've been active since 2007. I am just pleased to see alternative hip hop taking off.
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