Bianca Rullo Journal Staff
“Every time I come here, y’all are crazy,” said controversial Los Angeles-based rapper Tyler, the Creator during a sold out show at the Paradise on last Thursday evening.
It’s true – chaos has ensued each time Tyler, the Creator and his Odd Future cronies have come to Boston. During their first visit in 2011, the hip-hop collective incited a riot on Newbury Street after an appearance at Newbury Comics. The following year, Boston Police prematurely shut down Odd Future’s show at the House of Blues and arrested one of the group members. Despite these instances, fans were hopeful there would not be any arrests, shut downs, or riots occurring at his first solo show in Boston.
Without an opening act, restless attendees waited a grueling hour and forty-five minutes for the rapper to take the stage and were initially greeted by DJ, and cast member of Odd Future’s sketch comedy show, Loiter Squad, Taco Bennett. For several minutes, Bennett pumped up the crowd with popular rap tunes like Chief Keef’s “Love Sosa.” The entire venue shook rapidly with each deafening bass drop.
Tyler, the Creator then stormed the stage and performed Bastard hit “French.” Joining him and Bennett on stage were hype-men and Loiter Squad cast members Jasper Dolphin and Lionel Boyce.
The aggressive crowd shoved and climbed on top of each other for a chance to briefly shake the rapper’s hand or grab at his clothing. With such a hostile audience, Paradise security seemed overwhelmed by the constant crowd-surfing, moshpits, and pushing.
“They can stand closer to the stage, it won’t bother me,” he said to security which they replied to with stern headshaking and rolling eyes.
The rapper performed a few songs from his highly anticipated new album Wolf, including the recently released singles “Domo 23” and “Bimmer.” He smiled at the audience’s warm reception to these songs and commented that he was afraid they would not stack up to the success of his previous hits on 2011’s Goblin.
Tyler, the Creator ended the show dynamically with the high energy Goblin single “Sandwitches.” As with every other song performed that night, the audience passionately shouted every lyric along with him.
“Don’t get your hopes up, but this has been the tightest show of the tour so far,” admitted the rapper.
The admiration is mutual between Tyler, the Creator and his mostly fresh-faced fans that stood outside the venue hours before doors opened in the snow. Pedestrians walking down Commonwealth Avenue stared in astonishment at the never-ending line of teenagers donning Odd Future merchandise featuring crude images of cats, donuts, and upside-down crosses.
The rapper further expressed his love for the Boston crowd by tweeting his admiration for their enthusiasm. Fans exiting the venue had similar sentiments.
Tyler, the Creator will continue touring North America and Europe in support of his upcoming album Wolf, which drops on April 2. Fellow Odd Future rapper Earl Sweatshirt will join him on select dates.
