Tyler, The Creator has paid tribute to one of his all-time favorite albums, N.E.R.D.âs Fly or Die, on its 20th anniversary.
The Odd Future founder took to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (March 23) to celebrate the sophomore project from Pharrell, Chad Hugo and Shay Haleyâs genre-bending band.
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Alongside photos of Fly or Die memorabilia, including a copy of the CD, a framed poster and a skate deck, Tyler reflected on falling in love with the project.
â20 years ago ( 3/23/04) FLY OR DIE by N.E.R.D came out. i begged my mom to take me to their meet and greet at tower records day of; didnt happen but she did snag the album,â he said.
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âBridge after bridge after bridge. THRASHER bridge outta of the abrasive guitar and crowd yellsâŚsheesh. MAYBE bridge with Lenny Kravitz and QuestloveâŚ.come on. THE WAY SHE DANCES bridgeâŚi still dont understand how it was made.â
He continued: âAt the time ive never heard what i considered ârockâ music use melodies and chords typically for âsoulâ and âjazzâ, so i was drawn in cause there was a slice of familiarity. i would record every tv appearance 03-05 ( MTV needs to release the black history month she wants to move in full) and as corn [sic] as it is i have a collection of stickers to put on my passports.
âFIND MY WAY is the first song i remember coming up with a video concept for. i was 13 and it was terrible. piano version of thrasher in full is still needed. what a time. i love this album.â
20 years ago ( 3/23/04) FLY OR DIE by N.E.R.D came out. i begged my mom to take me to their meet and greet at tower records day of; didnt happen but she did snag the album. bridge after bridge after bridge. THRASHER bridge outta of the abrasive guitar and crowd yellsâŚsheesh.⌠pic.twitter.com/W6oqkCovP3
â T (@tylerthecreator) March 23, 2024
Tyler, The Creator has been very open about his love of all things Pharrell, who he has long cited as one of his chief influences.
Back in 2021, the Grammy-winner penned a similar tribute to Skateboard Pâs debut solo album In My Mind.
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âIn My Mind turns 15 today,â he wrote next to a picture of him at 15 years old. âCame out around the time of this photo. Was at Hawthorne High summer school and man I cant articulate what it means/ did for me.
âI made Odd Future that summer and set out to be where I am now before 10th grade began. Very important piece of art to me.â
The âSee You Againâ rapper also credited Pharrell for changing the trajectory of his career, which he detailed in the 2023 Hulu docuseries Rap Caviar Presents.
âI didnât have a father. I didnât have a big brother. I didnât have a big cousin,â Tyler said. âSo as a kid since 10/11, Pharrell is who I looked at.â
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âSo through that we just developed like, a friendship where he would ask me advice on certain things,â Pharrell added. âAnd Tyler was talking about where he was and feeling low. He wants that respect.â
Pharrell also shared advice that would change Tylerâs life: âMake something undeniable and make it equally as infectious. Why are you doing music? Is it just because you just want to look cool?
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ââCause that will burn out. When it becomes purpose-oriented, it can be as cool as the flashy shit but it will be much more meaningful.â