Bastard | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | December 25, 2009 | |||
Recorded | 2007–2009 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 55:50 | |||
Label | Self-released | |||
Producer | Tyler, the Creator | |||
Tyler, the Creator chronology | ||||
|
Bastard is the debut studio album by the American rapper Tyler, the Creator. It was self-produced by Tyler, the Creator, and self-released on December 25, 2009. [2] [3] Due to its free online release and lack of retail availability, Bastard was commonly considered a mixtape, however Tyler later clarified that it was his album debut. [4] The album was self-released on Odd Future's Tumblr page for free. [5] [6]
The songs were written and recorded by Tyler from 2007 through 2009, and released on December 25, 2009. [3] Tyler produced most of the album using FL Studio. [7] In 2019, he recalled that some of his influences for the album were Eminem's Relapse (2009), James Pants' Seven Seals (2009), Nite Jewel's Good Evening (2009), Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest (2009), Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury (2006), and the music of the Cool Kids. [4] Bastard features Tyler speaking to a character named Dr. TC, who acts as Tyler's therapist and guidance counselor. The title track contains Dr. TC hinting that the album would be the first of three therapy sessions. Both songs "Odd Toddlers" and "Slow It Down" were previously released on The Odd Future Tape (2008). [8] The chopped and screwed version (which was hosted by fellow rapper and label-mate Mike G) was released for free online. [9] [ better source needed ]
On December 25, 2010, one year after the album's initial release, Bastard was re-released with Brandun DeShay's verse on "Session" being replaced with a verse from Mike G, due to a dissension between Tyler and DeShay. The project was available on Odd Future's online music store, before being removed from the website, with DeShay's vocals returning to that same track.[ citation needed ] Tyler later announced plans on re-releasing Bastard in a remastered physical form through Odd Future Records. However, since this announcement, nothing has materialized. [10]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
RapReviews | 5/10 [11] |
Cokemachineglow.com | 74% [5] |
Bastard was met with much praise from critics. [12] Pitchfork called it "a minor masterpiece of shock art" and the first great Odd Future-related project, noting the thrilling juxtaposition between humorous and hateful lines. [6] RapReviews praised the innovative production and Tyler's rapping skills but viewed the lyrics as unacceptable, calling the "frequent references to rape ... a deal-breaker". [11] It was ranked at number 32 on Pitchfork's list of "The Top 50 Albums of 2010", [13] with the single "French!" being ranked at number 61 on their list of "Top 100 Tracks of 2010". [14] The album was later ranked number 118 on Rolling Stone's 2022 list of "The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time" and number 38 on Complex 's 2018 list of "The 50 Best Rapper Mixtapes". [15] [16]
Bastard, alongside Tyler's second album, Goblin (2011), caused controversy among members of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, which led to Theresa May, who was Home Secretary at the time, imposing a ban on Tyler from entering the country for three to five years. [17] The ban was met with uproar, which was revisited when May became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Tyler and many of his fans believe the ban was racially motivated, with Tyler stating he felt he was being treated "like a terrorist", and that they did not like the fact that their children were idolizing a black man. [18] The ban was lifted in May 2019. [19]
In the album's title track, the first words Tyler says are cursing 2DopeBoyz, NahRight, and other blogs who Tyler viewed as snubbing him early in his career. [20] [21] After several attacks on different tracks in the following years, 2DopeBoyz founders Joel Zela and Meka Udoh addressed Tyler's comments in a February 17, 2011 post, claiming they weren't even aware of him as an artist until he started insulting them in interviews and on tracks. They said they never received music from Tyler or Odd Future and they would not work with him in the future, calling Tyler's outrage a marketing ploy. [22]
All songs produced by Tyler, the Creator.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Bastard" | Tyler Okonma | 6:09 |
2. | "Seven" | Okonma | 3:29 |
3. | "Odd Toddlers" (featuring Casey Veggies) |
| 3:36 |
4. | "French!" (featuring Hodgy Beats) |
| 4:03 |
5. | "Blow" | Okonma | 2:55 |
6. | "Pigs Fly" (featuring Domo Genesis) |
| 3:35 |
7. | "Parade" | Okonma | 2:23 |
8. | "Slow It Down" (featuring Hodgy Beats) |
| 3:08 |
9. | "AssMilk" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt) |
| 3:40 |
10. | "VCR / Wheels" | Okonma | 3:28 |
11. | "Session" (featuring Hodgy Beats, brandUn DeShay, and Mike G) |
| 3:35 |
12. | "Sarah" | Okonma | 4:47 |
13. | "Jack and the Beanstalk" | Okonma | 3:51 |
14. | "Tina" (featuring Jasper Dolphin and Taco) |
| 3:07 |
15. | "Inglorious" | Okonma | 4:05 |
Total length: | 55:50 |
Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., known professionally as B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. Raised in Decatur, Georgia, Simmons signed with producer Jim Jonsin through his Rebel Rock Entertainment label in 2006. Two years later, he signed a joint venture recording contract with fellow Georgia rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records. Following his major-label deal, Simmons quickly achieved commercial success when his 2009 debut single, "Nothin' on You", peaked the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and received three nominations—Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration—at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, The Creator, is an American rapper and record producer. He has been cited as an influential figure in alternative hip hop during the 2010s.
Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, better known as Odd Future and often abbreviated as OF or OFWGKTA, was an American alternative hip-hop music collective formed in Los Angeles, California in 2007. The group consisted of rappers, producers, filmmakers, skateboarders, and clothing designers. The original members were Tyler, the Creator, Casey Veggies, Hodgy, Left Brain, Matt Martians, Jasper Dolphin, Earl Sweatshirt, Travis "Taco" Bennett, and Syd. Later members included Brandun DeShay, Pyramid Vritra, Domo Genesis, Mike G, L-Boy, Frank Ocean, and Na-Kel Smith.
Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, also known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper and record producer. Kgositsile was originally known by the moniker Sly Tendencies when he began rapping in 2008, but changed his name when Tyler, the Creator invited him to join his alternative hip hop collective Odd Future in late 2009.
Brandun DeShay, stylized as brandUn DeShay, is an American rapper and record producer from Chicago, Illinois. He produced for all of his releases. Aside from his solo career, DeShay was an early member of the Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future.
MellowHype was an American hip hop duo from Los Angeles, California, that consisted of rapper-producer Hodgy and producer-rapper Left Brain. Both were members of hip hop collective Odd Future. They have released two studio albums which both charted on the Billboard 200 albums chart and four mixtapes.
Earl is the debut mixtape by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt. It was released as a free digital download on March 31, 2010, on the Odd Future website.
Dominique Marquis Cole, known professionally as Domo Genesis, is an American rapper, DJ, and songwriter. He is best known for being a member of Los Angeles hip hop collective Odd Future. He has since continued his solo career, releasing his debut album Genesis in 2016 and founding his own record label in 2018.
Goblin is the second studio album by the American rapper Tyler, the Creator. It was released on May 10, 2011, by XL Recordings. Goblin continues Tyler's dialogues with his fictional therapist Dr. TC, first heard on his 2009 album, Bastard. The album's songs were produced almost entirely by Tyler himself, along with a contribution from fellow Odd Future member Left Brain. The album features guest appearances from Odd Future members Frank Ocean, Hodgy Beats, Jasper Dolphin, Taco, Domo Genesis, Mike G and Syd.
The Jet Age of Tomorrow is an American production duo from Atlanta, Georgia and a sub-group of hip hop collective Odd Future that consists of producer-singer Matt Martians, and producer-rapper Pyramid Vritra. According to Martians, the group's music originated from instrumentals turned down by Tyler, the Creator and Hodgy, who liked the tracks Martians sent them, but could not use them in their own music. Outside of their work with the Jet Age, Martians is a member of The Internet with Odd Future member Syd, while Vritra is a member of his own hip hop collective, NRK.
Davon Lamar Wilson, better known as Jasper Dolphin, is an American actor, stunt performer. He is best known for being a founding member of American hip hop collective Odd Future, but has since ventured further into his career in acting. He starred in Jasper & Errol's First Time on Viceland in 2019, and was featured as a new member of Jackass on Jackass Forever (2022).
YelloWhite is the debut mixtape by Odd Future sub-group MellowHype. It was made available for free download on February 24, 2010, fellow Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt's 16th birthday.
Vincent Jamal Staples is an American rapper. He first became known for his association with alternative hip hop collective Odd Future, namely Mike G and Earl Sweatshirt. He signed with Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Records prior to releasing his collaborative mixtape with Mac Miller, Stolen Youth (2013). The following year, he signed with No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings to release his debut extended play, Hell Can Wait (2014)—which marked his first project to chart on the Billboard 200.
Matthew Robert Martin, known professionally as Matt Martians, is an American record producer, illustrator, singer and songwriter. Aside from his solo career, Martians is a founding member of the hip hop music collective Odd Future and the alternative R&B band The Internet, and is one half of the production duo The Jet Age of Tomorrow with Pyramid Vritra, a sub-group of Odd Future.
"Radicals" is a song written, produced, and performed by American rapper Tyler, the Creator, and features as the third song from his debut studio album Goblin. The song sparked controversy due to its lyrical themes, and it would receive even more controversy after a student attending the University of South Alabama wrote the lyrics to the chorus of the song on school property.
Rolling Papers is the debut mixtape by American rapper Domo Genesis. The mixtape was self-released for free on Odd Future's Tumblr page on August 30, 2010. The mixtape's production was handled by Left Brain, Syd tha Kyd, and Tyler, the Creator.
The OF Tape Vol. 2 is the only studio album by American hip hop collective Odd Future. It was released on March 20, 2012, by Odd Future Records and RED Distribution. It serves as the sequel to their debut mixtape, The Odd Future Tape (2008). The album features appearances from Odd Future members Hodgy Beats, Tyler, the Creator, Domo Genesis, Frank Ocean, Mike G, the Internet, Taco, Jasper Dolphin, Left Brain and L-Boy, as well as an uncredited appearance from Earl Sweatshirt. Production on the album was primarily handled by Left Brain and Tyler, the Creator, with Frank Ocean, Pyramid Vritra and Matt Martians also receiving production credits. Lyrically the album ranges from being serious to being satirical, with some tracks offering an overly absurdist take on rap.
Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, better known by his stage name Ab-Soul, is an American rapper. Raised in Carson, California, he signed to indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2007, where he eventually formed West Coast hip hop group Black Hippy, alongside fellow California-based rappers Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. He is perhaps most known for his introspective lyrics and his six independent albums under TDE, Longterm Mentality, Control System, These Days..., Do What Thou Wilt., Herbert, and Soul Burger, which were all released to positive reviews and commercial success.
The Dena Tape is the debut mixtape by American rapper Hodgy Beats. It was self-released on July 7, 2009. It is also the first solo project from any Odd Future member, with its only predecessor being The Odd Future Tape. It stood as the only solo project from Hodgy Beats until three years later, when he released Untitled in early 2012.
2DopeBoyz, stylized in all caps, is an online hip hop music review, news and criticism website launched in 2007 by Meka Udoh and Joel "Shake" Zela, who were former editors at HipHopDX. The website played a central role in hip hop's blog era of the mid-2000s and early 2010s, a period of growth for non-mainstream outlets as music media transitioned from primarily print and radio-based to online outlets and social media. 2DOPEBOYZ and other blogs like it helped promote unsigned and unknown rappers to notoriety, launching the careers of many of the star artists of the period.
Tyler has decided to pay homage to his debut album, Bastard, on its tenth anniversary"... "on christmas 2009 i released my first album BASTARD on zshare to 46 people.
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