“Yonkers,” a track from Tyler, the Creator’s debut album Goblin, not only marked a turning point in the rapper’s career but also stirred controversy that fueled his popularity and recognition internationally. Released digitally on February 14, 2011, the album’s second single quickly gained attention for its unconventional sound and provocative lyrics.
The song’s title unsurprisingly pays homage to Yonkers. However, its creation was initially a humorous take on 1990’s New York Hip Hop. As Tyler describes in Pitchfork, his inspiration for the concept was rooted in satire:
That beat was made as a joke. I was trying to make a shitty New York beat and we was just rapping like we was from New York […] And then, I just had some random verses and I was just like, ‘I’ll just record it to this beat, this beat is kinda cool.’ And then [people] really liked it.
Despite its mocking undertones, the track resonated with audiences and became a breakout hit.
Celebrity Controversy Fuels Popularity
“Yonkers” stirred controversy due to its aggressive lyrics. In particular, the disses aimed at musicians such as Bruno Mars, B.o.B, and Hayley Williams. Mars responded to the track with self-deprecating humor. In an interview with Spin magazine, he stated, “[Tyler] has to wait in line if he wants to stab me.” The diss-track drama and celebrity responses added to the song’s notoriety, sparking debates within the music industry and interest from audiences worldwide.
The accompanying music video, which has more than 145 million views on Odd Future’s YouTube channel alone, was directed by Tyler himself. Featuring a live cockroach, the raw black-and-white video showcased his creativity and contributed significantly to the song’s success. Acclaimed by critics and labeled by some as performance art, the viral video earned Tyler the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 2011.
“Yonkers” Climbs the Charts
Following its release, “Yonkers” achieved notable chart positions, reaching number two on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) and number nine on the US Heatseekers Songs (Billboard). The single received Platinum certifications in the United States (1,000,000 units), Canada (80,000 units), and Silver certification in the United Kingdom (200,000 units). Landing on several “Best Songs of the Year 2011” lists, including Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and XXL, “Yonkers” by Tyler, the Creator marks a pivotal chapter in his career and a breakthrough moment in Hip Hop.
