Tyler, the Creator's Chromakopia Tour Makes History At London's O2 Arena

Returning to London, one of rap music’s finest brains Tyler, the Creator kicked off night two of three at the O2 Arena last night. Marking six years since his last show from the IGOR tour, the Chromakopia tour has already been met with astoundingly positive reception as well as being very, very green. With fans taking it upon themselves to wear green to the shows, it makes us realise just how much influence Tyler really has on at least two generations already with no signs of slowing down.

Opening for the tour was Paris Texas, a musically adventurous and radically honest hip-hop duo who brought the hype right from the start. Performing some of their popular hits such as ‘girls like drugs’, ‘PANIC!!!’ and ‘FORCE OF HABIT’, many fans in the crowd and on social media have said they came into the show not knowing who they were and left a big fan.

Also joining the opening lineup was bubblegum trap rapper Lil Yachty with a nonchalant, leaning rap set performing songs like ‘Strike’ and ‘Broccoli’ to the already eager fans. Dressed in long camo shorts, a red jersey and Timberlands, he helped infuse the air with the energy of the night. Blending his experimental side, he provided a dynamic set that was appreciated by the crowd ahead of the main event.   

As the lights went black and the bright green pleated curtain began to raise, Tyler, the Creator emerged from the smoke dressed in a green authoritarian-style suit, mask donned, and hair perfectly sculpted like the soldiers from the Chromakopia teasers. "CHROMAKOOOOPIA" the crowd jeers before he kicks off with ‘St. Chroma’. The screams were almost deafening as the rapper kicked, danced and jumped around. “London…” he says, standing with his head down amongst the cheers. “This is night number two out of three of these mother*cking shows in your city. I will say, tonight’s energy is better than the first one already.” He went through the album performing ‘Rah Tah Tah’ and ‘Noid’ before taking a short moment to sit through ‘Judge Judy’.

When a long walkway started to descend from the ceiling, it’s when we knew this was going to be a memorable show. As he danced and stomped through ‘Sticky’, every word spoken was deliberate, every move made was calculated. Whether he was screaming through verses or gliding over more vulnerable tracks, the lights beaming out from the sides of the walkway ebbed through the audience, painting waves on faces in vivid colours. He chucks out some Tyler-bills to the moshing crowd below him before retreating back to the stage.

With a projection of a house slowly lifting, revealing a living room set-up fit with sofa, coffee table, stack of suitcases and a vinyl player and crate. After a swift outfit change into some GOLF le FLEUR* attire and loafers, he flicked through some of the vinyl where a camera showed us what he was looking through, presumably vinyl of some of his favourite artists like Outkast or Erykah Badu. He keeps flicking and pulls out IGOR, the crowd roars whilst the thundering bassline of ‘IGOR’S THEME’ pierces through the speaker. Moving into ‘EARFQUAKE’, he finishes off with an acapella moment before flicking through the crate again. “This is a Tyler concert.” He affirms to a fan who suggested he put Stankonia on. “These white kids think I give into peer pressure… shut the f*ck UP!” we have a chuckle before he throws on Goblin, performing some of his classic tracks such as ‘She’, ‘Yonkers’ and ‘Tron Cat’, some classic Tyler, the Creator songs that not only caused a lot of controversy when he started to get more popular but are synonymously some of his most indispensable listens. He puts on Wolf and Flower Boy before making his way back to the main stage to finish off the rest of the show.

‘Thought I Was Dead’ marked the beginning of the close, like the final act. His theatrical mannerisms were maintained as though the shipping container stage revived it within him, but no outfit change, no St, Chroma but just Tyler. The one man behind the genius of it all with the power to influence millions whether that be listening to the music he posts on his Instagram story, showing the openers to his shows to thousands of fans, helping blow up the features on his albums right down to the clothes he wears. ‘See You Again’ was a sweet collective singing moment before ending on ‘I Hope You Find Your Way Home’ fit with zooming fireworks and pyrotechnics.

“Have a safe journey home, and I hope you find your way home.” He says before bowing under the falling curtain.