“When you’re delusional, you need people around you that trust you” — Tyler, The Creator opines on how an artist can succeed

While participating in a Tyler Talk panel for Converse in London earlier this week, Tyler, the Creator highlighted the importance of being “delusional” for artists. Tyler is in the UK for his Chromakopia: The World Tour, when he headed a panel talk, saying:

"To make stuff, you gotta be delusional. And when you're delusional, you need people around you that trust you. Because what the f**k they gon' trust?' You say some normal stuff like, 'The sky is blue.' Yeah, you don't need people to trust you to say that. I'm delusional, but I knew what I wanted to do since I was five years old."

Later during the talk, the artist recalled a conversation when a girl asked him what he would have done if not music, to which Tyler said:

"My imagination doesn't even go that far because this is the only thing I was supposed to do. Like, I was legit the 12-year old delusional kid like, 'So, I'mma get a Grammy.' and n****s was like, 'Shut up, Charizard just beat Pikachu.' So, just be delusional."

Tyler, the Creator began creating music at 12. The artist would often post his music on MySpace, where he gained online recognition and eventually co-founded the music collective Odd Future at just 16.

"I'm mentally drained" - says Tyler, the Creator on touring in his 30s

Elsewhere during his panel, Tyler Talk, Tyler, the Creator also opened up about how his Chromakopia world tour — which began on February 5, 2025, in Minnesota and runs until September 2025 — is taking a toll on him.

"Touring now at 34 is not as fun as it was at 20. I'm mentally drained."

The artist clarified that while he’s “physically OK” with the performances, the constant travel is difficult.

"The unfamiliarity, a different bed every night, the food - I'm not from this side of the world, so as much time I spend on thinking about where I'm going to eat, bro it's draining."

Tyler, the Creator stressed that since it’s a “brand new” environment every day, it gets a “bit stressful.” The artist also noted that his “temperament” is Los Angeles — with its wide streets, low buildings, and open skies — and called places in Europe “claustrophobic.”

Trending

The people on the street all the time feels “heavy” for the creator, since he has to go everywhere with a “bunch of security.” The artist started his Europe tour on April 25, beginning in Belgium, with performances in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, England, Ireland, and Scotland.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback