Frank Ocean coming out of the closet has been a bigger deal for total strangers than it has been to his closest friends.īut if that seems like a shallow or sophomoric commentary on a topic that He wanted the audience to laugh, but he also wanted to reject the import of the subject. Tyler's kneejerk reaction to heavy questions (say, about race or sexuality) is to trivialize them because he thinks the accepted wisdom and polite talking points are stale and divisive. Much-discussed coming-out last summer further complicated the homophobic slurs in Odd Future's songs - and Tyler launched into a story about rummaging for snacks in Ocean's kitchen and finding only granola, unfrosted Pop Tarts and turkey bacon: proof positive. Like when Wilson asked Tyler when he realized OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean is gay - Ocean's brave and As an interviewee he rambled and went off-topic, but he's an entertainer.
Though he dismissed the event as soon as he got onstage - "f-ing retarded," in his words - he was not able to resist a captive audience and an open mic. The mood in the room was alternately rapturous and rapt, as often Wolf during the hour before the 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night was as much an introduction to the musician for the casual listener as it was a forum for the committed fans who hung over second floor balcony banisters to yell questions, shout "I want to have your babies!", throw gifts onstage and rap every lyric off his recently-released This is Your Life structure, trotting out the usual questions - did TylerĮat the roach? (he did) - and probing deeper - where and when did Tyler lose his virginity? (age 17, in his grandmother's bed). Tyler's buoyancy contrasting with Wilson's laid-back style, and Wilson's high-pitched, semi-automatic titter competing for space with Tyler's hacking, baritone guffaw.īut they were compatible, and the interview flowed smoothly. The mostly-teenage audience peppered Tyler with questions and requests from the moment he took the stage until Wilson wrested control back with a stern, "Yo, can I interview first? HI TYLER," like a teacher rapping his ruler on a desk. They make sense of his contradictions.Īnd they followed him to the Highline. Not knowing which Tyler is going to walk through any given door is frustrating for some people, but his unpredictability and high-energy charisma has attracted a fan base that follows his every move. Like most things with Tyler, it was somehow both, simultaneously. So when Tyler announced last week that he'd be sitting down for a live one-on-one interview at New York City's Highline Ballroom with journalist and RapRadar founder Elliott Wilson - to whom Drake had just givenĪ convivial and forthcoming interview - I didn't know what to expect. It's unclear whether he considers talking to reporters a grating obligation or another among the many platforms he performs on as a multimedia artist. Treehome95 Featuring – Coco Owino*, Erykah Badu Recorded By – Sterling Winfield Written-By – E.Interviewing Odd Future visionary Tyler, the Creator is a crapshoot. Trashwang Featuring – Jasper Dolphin, L-Boy, Lee Spielman, Left Brain, Lucas*, Na'Kel, Taco* Written-By – D. Rusty Featuring – Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt Vocals – Jason Dill Written-By – D. Parking Lot Featuring – Casey Veggies, Mike G (10) Written-By – C. PartyIsntOver/Campfire/Bimmer Featuring – Frank Ocean, Laetitia Sadier Vocals – Elijah Hall, Jaslyn Leonti, Parys Hall Written-By – F.
Long*Īnswer Vocals – Syd Bennett*Ĭolossus Mixed By – Andrew Dawson Piano – Colin Boyd (2) Jamba Featuring – Hodgy Beats Written-By – G.