What is Chromokopia? I have no idea.
Who is Tyler the Creator? A huge rap star who is highly regarded by his fans.
The result? First week sales of 300,000 for “Chromokopia” this week. It’s on Sony Columbia Records.
His real name is Tyler Gregory Okonma. He’s 33. This week he woke up the slumbering record biz with this release. No artists have been selling at all recently. Halsey, also popular, didn’t crack 100,000 with her new release. She finished at number 2. (She’s also on Sony. Good week for them.)
Tyler not only writes the music, he also directs the videos. One of them is below and is quite cool.
Does he have cred? Yes. He’s had some minor brushes with the law, but nothing very extreme. According to Wikipedia he may also be bisexual. He’s also had feuds with Eminem and with DJ Khaled.
“Chromakopia” is Tyler’s 8th album. Noted: album sales were evenly divided between physical product and streaming. That makes him unusual right there. Fans want to own his music.
Tyler’s last album, in 2022, won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. “Chromakopia” will have to wait until January 2026 for that honor. But there’s a good chance we’ll see him on the show this winter.
