Last Updated on November 17, 2023
Tyler Gregory Okonma, popularly known by his stage name Tyler the Creator (stylized as Tyler, the Creator), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, comedian, visual artist, graphic designer, and fashion designer.
While he’s evidently a multi-faceted artist, Tyler Okonma is most famous in the music industry. Okonma gained initial recognition in the early 2010s as the co-founder and leader of the alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future. He has performed on as well as wrote and produced nearly all songs by the group.
As a solo artist, Tyler rose to prominence after releasing his debut mixtape in 2009, titled Bastard. In April 2011, he released his debut studio album titled Goblin through XL Recordings. He subsequently followed up with Wolf (2003), Cherry Bomb (2005), and three more studio albums.
Despite his highly successful music career, Tyler the Creator has come under heavy criticism for some of his lyrics which critics believe contain homophobic and misogynistic undertones.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Tyler Gregory Okonma |
Popular Name: | Tyler The Creator |
Nicknames: | Tyler Baudelaire, Tyler Haley, Wolf Haley, Tyler The Masturbator, Ace The Creator, Dr. TC, Tron Cat, Gap Tooth T, DJ Stank Daddy, The Devil, Thurnis Harley, and Unicorn |
Birth Date: | March 6, 1991 |
Age: | 32 years |
Parents: | Walter Whitman and Louisa Van Velsor Whitman |
Siblings: | Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Edward Jefferson, Jesse Jefferson, and Thomas Jefferson |
Birth Place: | Ladera Heights, California |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | African-American and European-Canadian |
Religion: | Unknown |
Education: | 12 different schools, including Elk Grove High School and Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets |
Marital Status: | Unmarried |
Sexual Orientation: | Unknown |
Children: | None |
Net Worth: | USD 18 million |
Source of Wealth: | Album & Music Sales, Songwriting, Record Producing, Acting, Comedy, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 2″ (1.88 m) |
Weight: | In kilograms: 79 kg; In pounds: 174 lbs. |
Early Life

Tyler Okonma was born on March 6, 1991, in Ladera Heights, California, to Walter Whitman and Louisa Van Velsor Whitman. His father is a Nigerian with Igbo ancestry, whereas his mother is of mixed European-Canadian and African-American descent. Tyler’s parents separated while he was still young and he never got to meet his father.
Okonma took an interest in music in his preteen years. At the age of seven, he reportedly began creating covers for his fantasy music albums. When he was 14, he taught himself to play the piano.
Like many big names in the hip-hop industry, Okonma experienced a rather troubled childhood. He attended at least 12 different schools in the Sacramento and Los Angeles areas during his 12 years of schooling. That works out as one school in every academic year.
After school, Tyler Okonma worked momentarily for several firms, including Starbucks and FedEx.
Music Career
Tyler Gregory Okonma began his professional music career in 2007 as a co-founder of the alternative hip-hop group Odd Future. Other co-founders include Hodgy Beats, Casey Veggies, and Left Brain. In November 2008, the trio self-released their debut mixtape, titled The Odd Future Tape.
Okonma self-released his debut solo mixtape, titled Bastard, on December 25, 2009. The mixtape debuted at # 32 on the Top Albums of 2010 list by Pitchfork Media.
In April 2011, Tyler the Creator and the other Odd Future members signed a recording deal with Red Distribution/Sony. Tyler went on to release his debut studio album, Goblin, on May 10, 2011. He has since followed up with five more studio albums, including;
• Wolf (2013)
• Cherry Bomb (2015)
• Flower Boy (2017)
• Igor (2019)
• Call Me If You Get Lost (2021)
Film and Television Career
Tyler the Creator has made several film and television appearances over the years. The rapper made his television debut on February 16, 2011, by performing “Sandwitches” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, alongside fellow Odd Future member Hodgy Beats. The same year, he appeared in several other television shows, including When I Was 17, Workaholics, and Regular Show.
On March 25, 2012, Odd Future premiered their own television show known as Loiter Squad. The show ran for 3 seasons and was graced by high-profile celebrities, such as Lil Wayne, Johnny Knoxville, and Seth Rogen. The same year, Tyler appeared in a couple of television shows, such as Punk’d, Ridiculousness, and The Mindy Project.
In 2013, Tyler appeared in Late Show with David Letterman, The Arsenio Hall Show, and in two episodes of Axe Cop. The following year, he landed roles in Black Dynamite, The Eric André Show, and Tavis Smiley.
On August 3, 2017, Tyler Okonma’s television series known as Nuts + Bolts premiered on Viceland. The show is based on the things Tyler finds fascinating.
In 2020, Tyler appeared as Cornell in a Season 2 episode of the series Kidding.
Awards and Recognition
Tyler the Creator has won several high-profile awards for his outstanding contribution to the music industry. Examples include one Grammy Award, one BRIT Award, and one MTV Video Music Award.
Tyler the Creator’s Net Worth

As of July 1, 2021, Tyler the Creator had a net worth of $18 million. Tyler has earned a huge chunk of his fortune from his various endeavors in the music industry, which include rapping, singing, songwriting, and record producing.
In addition to music-related earnings, Okonma also draws paychecks from the film and television industries. He has appeared in several movies and television shows, as well as produced and starred in his very own television series.
The following are other income-generating ventures that Tyler has pursued over the years;
• Launching the clothing company Golf Wang in 2011
• Creating a streaming service app known as Golf Media, which was active from 2015 to 2018
• Events hosting
• Music video directing
Lessons from Tyler the Creator
1. It’s never too early to start working on your dreams
Tyler Okonma took an interest in music right from his childhood. At the age of 7, he began creating covers for his fancy music albums. His continued efforts to nurture his music ambitions eventually paid off.
2. Have a finger in every pie
Tyler the Creator is best known for his impressive rapping skills. However, Tyler doesn’t draw all his paychecks from music-related ventures. He also earns from pursuing other endeavors, such as events hosting, fashion design, music video directing, and television appearances.
3. Partner with others
Tyler has partnered with numerous established celebrities over the years, including Kanye West, Lil Wayne, The Game, to mention but a few. Plus, he’s a founding member of the alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future.
Famous Quotes by Tyler the Creator
• For the record, I don’t worship the devil. I just hate religion.
• I think I’m cool. That’s all that matters.
• I want to take Justin Bieber for a month and just lock him up in a cage where we sit and make music. He’s one of the most successful people in the world, but his music could be so much tighter.
• I’m not a follower. I’m a leader. And anyone who speaks their mind is always criticized.
• Youth is something I never wanna take for granted. I just want to smile and live life.
Final Word
Tyler the Creator is a rapper, singer, actor, fashion designer, and graphic designer…all rolled into one. The multi-talented artist has raked in a net worth of $18 million from his various income-generating endeavors.