Tyler, The Creator was That Guy in Manila

One of hip-hop’s most polarizing and creative minds stunned Manila in his debut two-night extravaganza showcasing his emotional earnestness at the world-famous Big Dome.

The larger-than-life style aficionado, producer, rapper, and seemingly everything in between wrapped up his Chromakopia: The World Tour by turning up and kicking things off with new tracks from his latest LP Don’t Tap the Glass, which is guaranteed to cultivate the boogie in any arena.

We can’t ignore the bombshell Tyler dropped on the final day of the tour where he hinted at a hiatus or even a retirement after a strenuous, year-long tour that saw him go all out and even drop an album in between.

“I’m excited to go home and think about if I’ll ever really tour again... I’m at that part of my life where, man, I’ve done enough. Let me go take a very, very, very long break,” the rapper told the Manila crowd as he wrapped up a global tour across several continents.

Day one of the Chromakopia show saw the megastar pull out all the stops and dance moves starting out with “Big Poe,” and “Sugar on My Tongue,” from his latest dance record.

Tyler, The Creator performs "St. Chroma" in Manila

ALSO READ:

Tyler, The Creator Brings The Boogie With Don’t Tap The Glass

This is the Quintessential Tyler, The Creator Track Starter Pack

Tyler flexed on the Philippine crowd with sheer aura and an undeniable presence about him as one of the hip hop game’s modern icons as he reeled in a slew of influences into his music.

He donned a yellow leather jacket and trouser combo, a variation of his red outfit displayed on his distorted self for Don’t Tap the Glass’ cover art. The signature red outfit made its appearance on the tour’s final Manila show on a Sunday headlined by mass protests in the country’s capital.

After that brief dance record intro, we then got the iconic thematic muted dim, dark green Chromakopia for the show’s lighting as “St. Chroma,” rolled in.

Araneta Coliseum erupted as the packed arena belted out “can you feel the light, inside can you feel the fire?” which is an anthemic bar from what we consider the title track featuring Daniel Caesar to the acclaimed 2021 record.

The next few tracks also came from the highly introspective and vulnerable record, where the rapper details the struggles of hiding behind a mask, keeping up an image, and the constant paranoia that comes with superstardom and fame.

“Rah Tah Tah,” welcomes in Tyler’s commanding flow steps on the gas appropriately like  his recurring LaFerrari in a performance that is reminiscent of MCs rapping to cameras with aggressive hand gestures.

A seamless transition into “Noid,” a heavily revealing and cathartic track for the 34-year-old artist. The live rendition of the song was a spectacle because of the song’s deeply layered and nearly experimental production; it's a nuanced introspection on Tyler’s fears over an almost two disc affair that involves sparkling synth lines, for a complete antithesis of his flex-loving “Tyler Baudelaire” persona on Call Me If You Get Lost (2019).

Tyler, The Creator performing "Noid"

The rapper then delivered an emotional reflection on stuff that has been weighing down on him. “I’m paranoid, the jealous fucks they got me paranoid. My fans they weird as fuck they got me paranoid. I swear to God I swear to God I’m fucking paranoid,” he roared, as  fans roared right back.

In his more recent records, the rapper has been leaning on his unique singing style and his knack for making catchy R&B melodies and this is encapsulated in “Darling, I.”

“Because honestly, T is not perfect. So how can I get everything from one person? I’m at the altar but I’m still searching… Nobody could fulfill me like this music shit does. So I'll be alone with these Grammys when it’s all said and done, c’mon,” he spit bars on love, commitment, and freedom.

Manila’s world famous concert crowds reknowned for singing in perfect harmony did not disappoint in bringing Teezo Touchdown’s vocals to life in the chorus.

Who can blame him when he says “forever’s too long?" Commitment is scary stuff.

“Sticky” was another personal favorite that went hard live, giving a nod to classic school band, foot stomping classroom cafeteria freestyle battles in the US.

Tyler then told us to be real people and to “Take Your Mask Off,” a poignant self-awareness that is the epitome of his evolution as an artist. It’s quite a sight to see how far the goofy, controversial rapper, who relied too heavily on relentless yelling, has come. The '70s style Motown instrumentals live was a guaranteed head bopper and made us involuntarily do a two-step in place.

We also got classic Tyler and his morbid and edgy persona back through “She” from his Goblin album released way back in 2011 with Frank Ocean. And no, it didn’t feel weird at all vibing to a song about obsession and stalking. “"The blinds' wide open so he can see you in the dark when you're sleepin'," the Manila crowd sang back at the rapper, the hook originally sung by Ocean. "Naked body, fresh out the shower/ You touch yourself after hours."

Other older and fan favorite tracks from his Wolf (2013) album “Tamale”and “IFHY” were a shot of nostalgia for the OG fans.

“I haven’t been here yet so I’ve got some making up to do,” the rapper says as he queues in his massive hit songs "Earfquake," and "Are We Still Friends?" from one of the greatest breakup albums of all time Igor (2019), which he made the fans sing for him.

Tyler’s biggest hit “See You Again,” which is probably his most recognizable chorus, was also a dream to see live. “20-20,20-20 vision/ Cupid hit me, Cupid hit me with precision. I wonder if you look both ways when you cross my mind.”

“Wusyaname,” from Call Me When You Get Lost was probably the song we danced to the most with the 90s R&B goodness just jolting through the Manila crowd.

He also blew the roof off the place in his trademark boisterous and ultra intense performance of “New Magic Wand,” also birthed from Igor (2019). The song was described as a slow burn in terms of gaining traction since it only really took off after the rapper’s live performances of the track, which is really a must-see in person. Although we might have to wait and see if we are getting another Tyler show in Manila anytime soon.

“Mama I’m chasing a ghost, I don’t know who he is,” Tyler crooned in his signature messy falsetto in “Like Him,” one of his biggest hits off Chromakopia and in turn one of his most vulnerable creations. The pristine production and his earnest singing about his estranged father couldn’t help trigger a tear or two.

With what is surely to go down as legendary shows, we sincerly hope Tyler, The Creator doesn't leave us now at a time where we need his esoteric artistry.