It's safe to say that Tyler, the Creator caused an “Earthquake” at Hawthorne High School on Friday afternoon.
South Bay High School graduates gathered in the school auditorium for what they considered a spiritual rally. Little did they know rapper Tyler, the Creator was waiting, ready to surprise them with words of inspiration and an iPad Pro.
Surrounded by screaming teenagers and a sea of recording phones, the rapper was taken back to when he was in school from 2005 to 2006. He shared memories of drawing on his pants, rap battles in the yard and skating down El Segundo Boulevard with dreams of stardom.
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“I come from this town, man, it's kind of a weird place because it's not Inglewood or Manhattan Beach, it's just its own little world. I always told myself, 'One day I'm gonna really get out of this place and make something of myself,'” the rapper said from center stage.
The event was organized by Apple Music, which named the 34-year-old rapper artist of the year. Before Tyler came along, the streamer gathered local vendors like Crenshaw Juice Co. and Happy Ice, as well as a photo booth and DJ for senior entertainment.
Tyler, the Creator talks to students at South Bay High School on Friday afternoon.
(Apple Music)
After Tyler finished his speech, senior Kennesha Silester was one of the first students to receive a gift of an iPad. She said she knew someone would come to surprise the class, but she heard rumors that it would be YouTuber Mr. Beast.
“Honestly, him coming back to school shows that he really cares about the school. [at the iPad] I'll think about how I got it from Tyler, the Creator,” Sylvester said. “I really admire him for the way he expresses himself and really does whatever he wants.”
In light of Tyler's banner year, he thought it fitting to return to the halls where it all began and give back to the community that raised him. He attended both his freshman and sophomore years at Hawthorne High School before founding the quirky hip-hop group Odd Future. This group would be both Tyler's introduction to the music industry and his ticket to worldwide fame.
South Bay High School students hold iPads given to them by Tyler, the Creator.
(Apple Music)
Now, almost 20 years later, he has become one of the biggest names in rap. Within a year, he was headlining music festivals including the Governor's Ball, Lollapalooza, The Outsiders, Osheaga, and his own festival. Camp Flog Gnaw. He began his biggest world tour back for his eighth studio album, Chromakopia. While he was on the road, he simultaneously released his latest record, “Don't Tap the Glass,” in the summer, which became one of the highlights of his career to date, the funk worm “Sugar on My Tongue.” Both of these projects brought him five Grammy nominations.
Apart from music, he has also made a name for himself in the fashion industry. his streetwear brand Golf Wang and his luxury brand Le Fleur.. He is also set to make his feature film debut this month in the upcoming film Marty Supreme.
He left his senior year with one final piece of advice: “I know it sounds corny sometimes, but let me be an example. You can be whoever you want to be in this life. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Don't let the version of you you are today dictate the version you plan to be. Rock that shit.”
He then proceeded to point at members of the crowd and shout, “You have an iPad,” referring to the ever-viral clip of Oprah Winfrey giving away free cars.
