Maps of Music

Flower Boy (2017)

Where the lyrics of Flower Boy take you, and where it was really made.

The album was first planned under the title Scum Fuck Flower Boy, but it was shortened to Flower Boy shortly before release.

Key places

Chalice Recording Studios, Los Angeles (2017)

Recording site Chalice Recording — Listed as a recording location for Flower Boy in Los Angeles. Recording of the album began in late 2015. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Paramount Recording Studios, Los Angeles (2017)

Recording site Paramount (Hollywood) — Listed as a recording location for Flower Boy in Los Angeles. It is a separate studio from the Chalice location in the same city. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Fifth studio album by American rapper and producer Tyler, the Creator
• Released 21 July 2017 by Columbia Records
• Alternatively titled Scum Fuck Flower Boy
• Produced entirely by Tyler himself
• Guest vocals from Frank Ocean, ASAP Rocky, Anna of the North, Lil Wayne, Kali Uchis, Steve Lacy, Estelle, Jaden Smith and Rex Orange County
• Four singles: "Who Dat Boy" / "911", "Boredom", "I Ain't Got Time!" and "See You Again"

Background

• Tyler took a more personal approach than on his previous album, Cherry Bomb
• He felt the general response to Cherry Bomb was poor and wanted to deliver a successor that did better
• Max Martin, Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake were named as musical inspirations
• Tyler has noted flowers as a recurring theme, which ties to the title
• The official title was originally thought to be Scum Fuck Flower Boy, later confirmed simply as Flower Boy

Recording

• Recording began in late 2015
• Tyler produced the album himself, as on earlier releases
• He kept his rap verses short and direct to give guest artists and instrumentation more focus
• Austin Feinstein played guitar on many songs
• The beat for "I Ain't Got Time!" was first made for Kanye West during sessions for The Life of Pablo

Cover

• Two covers were unveiled at the announcement
• The main cover was designed by Michigan-born artist Eric White
• The alternative cover was designed by Tyler himself

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Tyler Gregory Okonma, born March 6, 1991, in Hawthorne, California.
• Co-founded the alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future in 2007 with Hodgy, Left Brain, and Casey Veggies.
• Released the self-produced debut album Bastard in 2009.

Members

• Solo artist known as Tyler, the Creator, and the founder and leader of Odd Future.

Career

• Goblin (2011) brought mainstream attention through the single "Yonkers" and its music video.
• Wolf (2013) marked a shift away from horrorcore toward jazz, soul, and R&B.
• Flower Boy (2017) received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.
• Igor (2019) and Call Me If You Get Lost (2021) both debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and won Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards.
• Chromakopia (2024) and Don't Tap the Glass (2025) also debuted at number one in the U.S.
• Founded the clothing brands Golf Wang and Le Fleur, and the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival festival.
• Has won three Grammy Awards in total.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Flower Boy was met with widespread critical acclaim
• AllMusic: Andy Kellman gave a positive review
• Pitchfork named it "Best New Music"
• The Independent: Andy Gill praised a surprisingly sensitive, thoughtful personality on the album
• HipHopDX: Jesse Fairfax called it Tyler's shortest and most cohesive album to date
• The A.V. Club: Renato Pagnani said it was the first time Tyler was equally forthcoming in his actual music
• XXL: Scott Glaysher praised the album as both a deeply digested work of art and easy-listening music
• Consequence: Kelly McClure gave a mixed review

Reappraisal

• In September 2022, Consequence regretted its mixed review
• Eddie Fu of Consequence said the album represented musical growth characterized by neo soul and jazz

Records

• Metacritic: average score 84 based on 18 reviews
• AnyDecentMusic?: 7.9 out of 10
• Debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200
• First-week total of 106,000 album-equivalent units, of which 70,000 were pure album sales
• Lead single "Who Dat Boy" / "911" peaked at number 87 on the US Billboard Hot 100
• Nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards
• Named among the best albums of 2017 and of the decade by multiple publications

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The album leaked 11 days before its announced release date of 21 July.
• The beat for "I Ain't Got Time!" was sent to Nicki Minaj after Kanye West declined it, and it was reportedly turned down by her then-team.
• "Glitter" was written for Justin Bieber, and Tyler kept it after Bieber did not return any of his calls.
• "See You Again" was written for Zayn Malik, and was kept after Malik rejected the song twice.
• The final track, "Enjoy Right Now, Today", is an instrumental with backing vocals from Pharrell Williams.
• The alternate title Scum Fuck Flower Boy was shortened shortly before release.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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