“St. Chroma” is the first track on Tyler, The Creator’s brand new album ‘Chromakopia,’ and also the track that introduces the fans to a brand new side of the artist. The track also features some vocals by R&B artist Daniel Caesar.
‘Chromakopia’ is Tyler’s eighth studio album released on October 28, 2024. The album was introduced to the fans on October 16, 2024, with “St. Chroma” and introduced a new masked character representing a more mature and grounded version of Tyler, The Creator. The album follows Tyler’s highly acclaimed project ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’ from 2021.
“St. Chroma” also features vocals by Tyler’s mother Bonita Smith. Her endearing words have had a profound impact on Tyler’s life as witnessed throughout the lyrics of the album.
Listen to “St. Chroma” by Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator “St. Chroma” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
The intro to the song and thus the ‘Chromakopia’ album comes from the voice of Tyler’s mother Bonita Smith. She talks about the ‘light’ that shines within his son and how important it is that he tries his best to preserve this light as he progresses through his life. She says that this light is not ‘on you’ but rather ‘in you,’ meaning that light, representing all things good in life, comes from within one and not by anyone/anything else external.
In the first verse of the song, Tyler goes into his riches. He has been in the music scene since 2009 when he was eighteen years old. And his journey has been quite progressive so far. With eight albums under his buckle, he is one of the few artists who has been able to keep improving his craft and retain mainstream success.
Give a f*ck about traditions, stop impressin’ the dead
Tyler, The Creator has always been going against the grain with his music. His music is unique. However, this lyric applies to many facades of life. He tells people not be scared of doing new things–trying new things. Be a changemaker and it might just work out for you. Don’t hang on to ghosts of the past and limit your potential.
The chorus of the song is performed by Daniel Caesar, and repeats the chant of assuring that the ‘light’ is always inside of you. Some have this light shunned by outside factors. You have to believe in it and let it shine.
In the second verse of the song, Tyler tells us how his mother reinforced his believes from a younger age. She kept on assuring that he was special and he turned out to be so. Maybe it was her influence or maybe Tyler was really special. However, she helped spark that fire inside of him and he ran with it.
Do I keep the light on or do I gracefully bow out?
Every person comes to a stage in their lives when they have to decide to step away from the ‘game.’ For artists, it’s when they consider themselves peaked in the industry. Tyler, The Creator, by all definitions of success, has achieved it. He could retire today and be comfortable for the rest of his life. But should he? Eminem has been an artist of similar longevity. He has been in the game for over two decades. Should he bow out? Or they could decide to keep the light on for much longer. But it all depends on each person’s drive or motivation to keep the light on. The moment you lose the motivation, will, or drive, you lose the light.
Considering how Tyler, The Creator came up with this concept album introducing a new side of him, we can say that he still has the drive to keep the light on.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics to the song on Genius.