Last week, Tyler, the Creator sent out a cryptic tweet implying that something big was coming in seven days. Most assumed the answer appeared yesterday with the arrival of the trailer for his new TV series Nuts + Bolts, but now comes a far more exciting piece of news: Tyler has shared two brand new songs, “Who Dat Boy” with A$AP Rocky and “911 / Mr. Lonely” with Frank Ocean.
Though “911 / Mr. Lonely” has yet to come with an accompanying music video, Tyler has flexed his directorial chops once again with a (quite literally) face melting clip for “Who Dat Boy.”
The video is directed by Tyler’s alter ego Wolf Haley, and features Tyler and Rocky as a pair of mad scientists. Throughout, the oddball almost buddy comedy vibes are strong, riding the line between cartoonish and demented.
In the opening seconds, Tyler is tinkering with something he shouldn’t be, blowing up his house and about half his face. From there, he hides out from police at A$AP’s place, where his pal proceeds to perform surgery and sew on a new, white face. It appears to do a good job of disguising Tyler, but only temporarily, because in the next scene Tyler’s fleeing from the cops, racing down the highway in a McLaren (as the lyrics make sure to point out).
The ‘Who Dat Boy’ track itself sees Tyler and Rocky exhibiting their new-found creative chemistry as they trade frightening bars with one another, with Tyler at one point declaring: “Fuck the rap, I’m tryna own a planet.”
Meanwhile, “911 / Mr. Lonely” is a sweet little collaboration with Frank Ocean, and also features contributions from ScHoolboy Q, which Tyler confirmed in a since-deleted tweet.
The end of the video clip teased “911 / Mr. Lonely,” which credits The Gap Band on Spotify, before the full song was officially released at midnight on Thursday. The funk-grooved tune opens with a pleading, “Call me, call me, call me,” before Tyler, the Creator introduces himself. “How you doing, my name is Lonely, nice to meet you,” he sings. “Here’s my number, you can reach me.” The sweet, lush old-school R&B chorus repeats, “911, call me/ Call me sometime.”
Last fall, Tyler, the Creator also teamed with A$AP Rocky for A$AP Rocky’s “Telephone” alongside Playboy Carti and Yung Gleesh. Meanwhile, Frank Ocean recently enlisted Tyler, the Creator and Jay-Z for “Biking.” In May, Tyler, the Creator unveiled a making-of documentary about 2015’s Cherry Bomb.
Check out the video for “Who Dat Boy” as well as a streaming link for “911 / Mr. Lonely” below.
Photo Credit: Mauricio Alvarado
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