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Tyler, The Creator -
NOT JUST THE RAPPER “And the Grammy goes to … LA stand up! IGOR, Tyler, the Creator!” Tyler Okonma, creator of albums “Flower Boy” and “IGOR,” stands up, in absolute shock. He is immediately surrounded by an outpouring of cheers, claps, and tears as he walks up to receive his Grammy at the Los Angeles Staples Center. Though a monumental milestone to be celebrated, he recognized the deeper meaning and implications of his Grammy award for the Best Rap Album. Tyler, the Creator has been on a journey of reinventing himself. Starting from his beginnings as a rapper to his current style of music that is much more complex, he has been praised by the media for redefining what it means to be a black rapper in the 21st century. The rap community has historically been overwhelmed with messages of hypermasculinity by creating songs that pertain to dominating women, avoiding vulnerability, and exuding strength, most times through violence. Specifically, these messages impact young black men because the lack of inclusive representation that portrays only one image of blackness can limit identities. These stereotypes are
WRITTEN BY SOFIA CIPRIAN // ILLUSTRATIONS BY MEREDITH FISHER
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