Bastard (Tyler, the Creator album)

Last updated

Bastard
BASTARDCOVER.png
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 25, 2009
Recorded2007–2009
Genre
Length55:50
Label Self-released
Producer Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator chronology
Bastard
(2009)
Goblin
(2011)

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]

Contents

Concept and content

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]

Reception and controversy

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
RapReviews5/10 [11]
Cokemachineglow.com74% [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]

Track listing

All songs produced by Tyler, the Creator.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Bastard" Tyler Okonma 6:09
2."Seven"Okonma3:29
3."Odd Toddlers" (featuring Casey Veggies)
3:36
4."French!" (featuring Hodgy Beats)
4:03
5."Blow"Okonma2:55
6."Pigs Fly" (featuring Domo Genesis)3:35
7."Parade"Okonma2:23
8."Slow It Down" (featuring Hodgy Beats)
  • Okonma
  • Long
3:08
9."AssMilk" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt)3:40
10."VCR / Wheels"Okonma3:28
11."Session" (featuring Hodgy Beats, brandUn DeShay, and Mike G)3:35
12."Sarah"Okonma4:47
13."Jack and the Beanstalk"Okonma3:51
14."Tina" (featuring Jasper Dolphin and Taco)3:07
15."Inglorious"Okonma4:05
Total length:55:50
Notes
Sample credits

Notes

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