Tyler Okonma
Born 1991 · Age 34
American rapper, producer, director, fashion designer and founder of Odd Future, Golf Wang and Camp Flog Gnaw; acclaimed for genre-bending albums including Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Tyler Okonma and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Hawthorne, California
Tyler Gregory Okonma was born in Hawthorne, California.
Designed imaginary album covers as a child
At age seven he would remove covers from CD cases and create his own imaginary album covers and tracklists.
Began skateboarding and BMX collecting
Started skateboarding (noted as since 2002) and later became a BMX collector — activities that influenced his aesthetic and public persona.
Taught himself piano
At 14 he taught himself to play the piano, an early musical milestone.
Co-founded Odd Future collective
Co-founded Odd Future (OFWGKTA) with Hodgy, Left Brain, Casey Veggies and others, becoming the group's de facto leader.
Uploaded first YouTube video (bloxhead channel)
His first YouTube video was uploaded to his channel (then named 'bloxhead') on February 28, 2008; he uploaded until Oct 2009 before focusing on Bastard.
Released The Odd Future Tape (mixtape)
Odd Future self-released their debut mixtape, The Odd Future Tape, in November 2008.
Self-released debut 'Bastard'
Tyler self-released his first solo album Bastard on December 25, 2009.
Bastard ranks on Pitchfork's Top Albums of 2010
Pitchfork ranked Bastard 32nd on its Top Albums of 2010 list.
I Smell Panties / early Myspace identity
Stage name and persona development: his stage name originated on a Myspace profile; early duo I Smell Panties with Jasper Dolphin.
Founded fashion label 'Golf Wang' (approx.)
Tyler launched his clothing brand Golf Wang (TeachRock and other sources date it to around 2011), expanding into fashion/merch.
Established/expanded Odd Future Records (label activity)
Odd Future began formal label activity — Odd Future Records established in 2011 to release group and solo material.
Began directing music videos as 'Wolf Haley'
Tyler directed many early videos under the pseudonym Wolf Haley; early credits include 2010–2011 videos.
Worked short retail jobs (FedEx, Starbucks)
Worked briefly at FedEx for under two weeks and at Starbucks for over two years prior to mainstream success.
Attended 12 different schools
During 12 years of schooling he attended 12 different schools in the Los Angeles and Sacramento areas, a formative childhood detail.
Released 'Yonkers' music video
'Yonkers' video released Feb 11, 2011; viral attention propelled Tyler into mainstream view.
Television debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Tyler and Hodgy Beats performed 'Sandwitches' on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Feb 16, 2011).
Performed at mtvU Woodie Awards
Performed 'Yonkers' and 'Sandwitches' at the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards.
Signed distribution deal with RED/Sony (Odd Future/solo)
Tyler and Odd Future signed a distribution/deal with Red Distribution / Sony in April 2011.
Released second studio album 'Goblin'
Goblin released May 10, 2011; produced largely by Tyler and fueled by 'Yonkers' exposure.
Won MTV Video Music Award – Best New Artist
Won Best New Artist at the 2011 MTV VMAs for 'Yonkers' (VMAs in August 2011).
Loiter Squad TV show confirmed
Loiter Squad was announced as a 15-minute live-action sketch show produced with Dickhouse Productions (confirmed Sept 8, 2011).
Arrested on suspicion of vandalism at The Roxy
Arrested Dec 22, 2011 after allegedly destroying equipment during a show; later paid $8,000 in damages.
Founded Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival (annual festival)
Tyler founded the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, first held in 2012; it became an annual festival with major headliners.
Loiter Squad premiered on Adult Swim
Odd Future's Loiter Squad premiered March 25, 2012 on Adult Swim; ran three seasons (2012–2014).
Voice acting / GTA V additional voices credit
Credited as additional voices in Grand Theft Auto V (2013).
North America and Europe tour for Wolf
Tyler toured North America and Europe in March–April 2013 in support of Wolf.
Released single 'Domo23' (promo for Wolf)
First single 'Domo23' (with music video) released Feb 14, 2013 to promote Wolf.
Performed 'Domo23' and 'Treehome95' on Fallon
Tyler performed songs from the upcoming Wolf on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Feb 26, 2013.
Released third studio album 'Wolf'
Wolf released April 2, 2013 on Odd Future Records/RED Distribution; debuted at #3 on Billboard 200 with ~90,000 first-week sales.
Reported collaboration with Mac DeMarco
January 31, 2014 report indicated Tyler was working with Mac DeMarco.
Arrested in Austin for inciting a riot (charges dropped)
Arrested Mar 15, 2014 for inciting a riot after SXSW performance; faced possible jail/fine but charges were later dropped.
Australian tour leg cancelled due to activist campaign
Cancelled Australian Cherry Bomb tour dates in 2015 after a campaign by Collective Shout objecting to his lyrics.
Cherry Bomb world tour (North America, Europe, Asia)
Supported Cherry Bomb with a world tour from April to September 2015, concluding in Tokyo.
Released 'Fucking Young' video and announced Cherry Bomb
Released music video for 'Fucking Young' on April 9, 2015 and announced upcoming album Cherry Bomb.
Performed at Coachella (Cherry Bomb tour kickoff)
Performed at Coachella April 11, 2015 and used the festival as the start of his Cherry Bomb world tour.
Released fourth album 'Cherry Bomb'
Cherry Bomb released digitally April 13, 2015 (physical copies later); featured guests including Kanye West and Lil Wayne.
Banned from the United Kingdom (3–5 years)
On Aug 26, 2015 he revealed he had been banned from visiting the UK for 3–5 years due to past lyrics, forcing tour cancellations.
Featured on Frank Ocean's 'Biking' and Bill Nye theme revealed
Featured on Frank Ocean's 'Biking' (Apr 8, 2017). Shortly after it was announced Tyler would write, produce and perform Bill Nye Saves the World theme.
Trailer for 'Nuts + Bolts' premiered
Trailer for Tyler's Viceland show 'Nuts + Bolts' premiered June 28, 2017; series premiered August 3, 2017.
Released 'Who Dat Boy' and '911 / Mr. Lonely'
Released 'Who Dat Boy' featuring A$AP Rocky and '911 / Mr. Lonely' featuring Steve Lacy, Frank Ocean and Anna of the North on June 29, 2017.
Released fifth studio album 'Flower Boy'
Flower Boy released July 21, 2017 to widespread critical acclaim; it marked a stylistic shift and earned a Grammy nomination.
Announced 'The Jellies!' TV show
Announced Tyler's animated series 'The Jellies!' on Sept 14, 2017; premiered Oct 22, 2017; Tyler as creator and executive producer.
Released music inspired EP for 'The Grinch' soundtrack
Released an EP 'Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss' The Grinch' (2018) including a cover of 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch'.
Released standalone single 'Okra'
Released 'Okra' on March 29, 2018, part of a string of freestyles and singles.
Released single '435'
Continued releasing standalone tracks with '435' on May 22, 2018.
Announced collaborative project WANG$AP with A$AP Rocky
Tyler and A$AP Rocky announced a collaborative project WANG$AP (video 'Potato Salad' released July 23, 2018).
Named Wall Street Journal 'Music Innovator of the Year'
In 2019 Tyler was named 'Music Innovator of the Year' by The Wall Street Journal.
UK ban believed to be lifted
BBC reported the UK ban was believed to be lifted in Feb 2019, facilitating scheduled UK performances.
Released sixth studio album 'Igor'
Igor released May 17, 2019; debuted at #1 on the US Billboard 200; featured the single 'Earfquake' which peaked at #13 on Hot 100.
Released unreleased songs 'Best Interest' and 'Group B'
Released two songs on Dec 23, 2019: 'Best Interest' (leftover from Igor) and 'Group B'.
Won International Male Solo Artist at BRIT Awards (referenced)
After winning a BRIT Award (noted in sources as International Male Solo Artist around 2020) he referenced the earlier UK ban in his acceptance.
Won first Grammy — Best Rap Album for 'Igor'
At the 62nd Grammy Awards Tyler won Best Rap Album for Igor on Jan 26, 2020.
Released lead single 'Lumberjack' for new album
'Lumberjack' was released June 16, 2021 as the lead single for Call Me If You Get Lost.
Released seventh studio album 'Call Me If You Get Lost'
Album released June 25, 2021; debuted at #1 on Billboard 200; included interactive billboard/phone marketing; created persona 'Tyler Baudelaire'.
Announced as headliner for Forecastle Festival (May 2022)
Tyler was announced Jan 5, 2022 as a headliner for Forecastle Festival scheduled for May 27–29, 2022.
Scored Louis Vuitton Men's Fall-Winter 2022 show
Tyler scored Louis Vuitton FW22 show in Paris; score arranged by Arthur Verocai and conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Won Grammy — Best Rap Album for 'Call Me If You Get Lost'
At the 64th Grammy Awards (2022) Tyler won Best Rap Album for Call Me If You Get Lost.
Featured on Nigo's album 'I Know Nigo!'
Appeared on two tracks of Nigo's album released March 25, 2022; 'Come On, Let's Go' video showcased Golf le Fleur line.
Announced 'Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale'
On March 27, 2023 Tyler announced the deluxe/companion release 'The Estate Sale' containing unreleased tracks.
Released 'Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale'
The Estate Sale released March 31, 2023 with singles like 'Dogtooth', 'Sorry Not Sorry' and 'Wharf Talk' visuals.
Featured in Los Angeles Times 'L.A. Influential' series
In 2024, the LA Times featured Tyler in its 'L.A. Influential' series as a creator leaving a mark on Los Angeles.
Louis Vuitton capsule collection collaboration (released)
Collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a capsule collection (Louis Vuitton capsule launched in early 2024).
Headlined Coachella (Saturday closer)
Headlined and closed Saturday night at Coachella April 13, 2024; performance included guest appearances from big-name artists.
Announced album 'Chromakopia' (teaser 'St. Chroma')
On Oct 16, 2024, Tyler revealed the title of his next album Chromakopia via a teaser video.
Released single 'Noid' from Chromakopia
Released the single 'Noid' on Oct 21, 2024 ahead of the album.
Announced Chromakopia: The World Tour
Announced Chromakopia: The World Tour (Oct 23, 2024) — scheduled Feb 4, 2025 to Sep 21, 2025 with Lil Yachty & Paris Texas as support.
Released album 'Chromakopia'
Chromakopia released Oct 28, 2024; debuted at #1 in the US and yielded the highest first-week sales of his career.
Performed Chromakopia at Camp Flog Gnaw (10th edition)
Performed Chromakopia material at the 10th Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival on Nov 16, 2024.
Began work on album 'Don't Tap the Glass' while touring
Reportedly began work on his ninth album, Don't Tap the Glass, in January 2025 while on tour.
Held private listening party at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
On the eve of the Don't Tap the Glass release he held a closed listening party for ~300 guests with phones/cameras banned.
Erected art installation and teased Don't Tap the Glass
During a concert July 18, 2025, he erected an art installation teasing the album; a website was launched July 19, 2025.
Released album 'Don't Tap the Glass'
Released July 21, 2025 through Columbia Records; described as dance/techno/house–leaning and received generally positive reviews.
Released self-directed video 'Sugar on My Tongue'
On Aug 12, 2025 he released the self-directed video for 'Sugar on My Tongue' from Don't Tap the Glass.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Tyler Okonma and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Aidan Gomez
Born 1996 · Age 29
British-Canadian computer scientist and entrepreneur focused on AI and natural language processing; co-founder and CEO of Cohere; co-author of the 2017 Transformer paper.
Jonas Vingegaard
Born 1996 · Age 29
Danish professional road racing cyclist, two-time Tour de France winner (2022, 2023) who rides for UCI WorldTeam Visma–Lease a Bike. Known as an elite climber and Grand Tour contender.
Liza Koshy
Born 1996 · Age 29
American YouTuber, actress, host and producer who rose from Vine and YouTube to mainstream film/TV and hosting roles.
Lele Pons
Born 1996 · Age 29
Venezuelan–American internet personality, comedian, actress, singer and author who rose to fame on Vine and expanded into YouTube, music, film and podcasting.
David Dobrik
Born 1996 · Age 29
Slovak-born Internet personality, Vine star turned YouTuber, vlogger, podcaster, app co-founder and entertainer; leader of the Vlog Squad.
Nick Needham
Born 1996 · Age 29
American professional football defensive back. Played college football at UTEP (2014–2018). Undrafted in 2019, signed with the Miami Dolphins and played there through 2024; signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2025.