Tyler, the Creator had nothing short of a monumental year.
Releasing the now certified platinum “CHROMAKOPIA” in October, the more recent Billboard No. 1 “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” and embarking on a global tour, there is little that could further push his success.
A headlining spot at Lollapalooza is just one more thing to add to the 34-year-old’s never-ending list of accolades.
Since Tyler, the Creator’s early beginnings in Odd Future, he has been a prolific figure in both music and media. Over the years, the brashness of his personality became more charming than crude, and the early albums of his audacious, immature persona eventually turned into something more refined. Nine albums later, the rapper may have reached his peak.
Though it was the first day of the festival, T-Mobile was crammed with people, and a sea of bodies sprawled from the barricade back towards the Lakeshore stage. People shoved and weaved their way in between the masses in an attempt to get the best view, chattering eagerly about the upcoming performance.
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At 9 p.m., three rules illuminated the screen, each appearing one after the other — a demanding declaration of “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” that would resonate with his live performance.
“Body Movement, No Sitting Still; Only Speak in Glory, Leave Your Baggage at Home; and Don’t Tap the Glass,” the screen ordered.
After the last rule disappeared, fire blasted from the stage and red lights blazed into the crowd as Tyler, the Creator’s voice boomed over the multitude of people.
“Chicago,” Tyler, the Creator shouted, his silhouette appearing on the screen as the shuffling beat of “Big Poe” resounded through the crowd. The rhythm vibrated under his gravelly voice as he spat each line vehemently, prancing from each side of the stage.
Following “Big Poe,” Tyler, the Creator addressed the audience again, announcing that he would be doing some “new s—, some old s—.”
He held true to his word, transitioning from songs off of “DON’T TAP THE GLASS” to older songs from “Wolf” and “Goblin,” the more sinister beats of his older music still managing to resonate with his audience.
“For this next one, I just wanna dance and groove with ya’ll if ya’ll don’t mind,” Tyler, the Creator said, eliciting drawn-out screams from the crowd.
“Sugar on My Tongue” was the artist’s second song, and despite its recent release, festivalgoers sang almost every word, chanting loudly in unison and bobbing to the rhythmic beat with phones held high in the air.
Tyler, the Creator bounced around the stage, illuminated in green lights as he moved his shoulders from side to side, the jumbo screens showcasing his every movement as beads of sweat dripped down his forehead.
“Sugar on My Tongue” transitioned directly into “St. Chroma,” the rhythmic melody of the former giving way to the whirring start of one of “CHROMAKOPIA’s” most popular songs. Tyler, the Creator marched along to the beginning of the song in sharp steps, jerking his body with every strike of the beat.
Tyler, the Creator put on a tireless performance, each song segueing into the next with no breaks. Occasionally, he would ask the crowd if “they were good,” more of a command than a question, or endearingly demand that they sing the lyrics.
At 10 p.m., he ended his set with “See You Again,” the infectious melody of the 2017 song creating a dreamily nostalgic finish to an unforgettable set.
