It's safe to say that Tyler, the Creator caused an “earthquake” at Hawthorne High School on Friday afternoon.
The graduating class of South Bay High School gathered in the school auditorium for what they thought was a spiritual demonstration. Little did they know, rapper Tyler, the Creator was waiting, ready to surprise them with words of inspiration and iPad Pros.
Surrounded by screaming teenagers and a sea of recording phones, the rapper reminisced about being a student at school from 2005 to 2006. He shared memories of doodling on his pants, rap battles in the playground, and skating down El Segundo Boulevard with dreams of being famous.
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“Being from this city, man, it's like a strange place, because it's not Inglewood or Manhattan Beach, it's just its own little world. I always told myself, 'One day I'm really going to get out of this place and do something for myself,'” the rapper said from center stage.
The event was organized by Apple Music, which had named the 34-year-old rapper its artist of the year. Before Tyler's appearance, the streamer brought together local vendors like Crenshaw Juice Co. and Happy Ice, a photo booth and a DJ for seniors to enjoy.
Tyler, the Creator speaking to students at South Bay High School on Friday afternoon.
(Apple Music)
After Tyler finished his speech, senior Kennesha Sylester was one of the first students to get her iPad. He said he knew someone was coming to surprise the class, but he had heard a rumor that it would be YouTuber Mr. Beast.
“To be honest, the fact that he revisited the school he attended shows that he really cared about the school. Every time I look [at the iPad] I'm going to think about how I got it from Tyler, the Creator,” Sylvester said. “I really admire him for how he expresses himself and really does what he wants.”
In light of Tyler's signature year, he saw fit to return to the halls where it all began and give back to the community that raised him. He attended his freshman and sophomore years at Hawthorne High School before founding the quirky hip-hop collective Odd Future. The group would be both Tyler's introduction to the music industry and his ticket to global stardom.
South Bay High School students holding iPads given to them by Tyler, the Creator.
(Apple Music)
Now, almost 20 years later, he is one of the biggest names in rap. Within a year, he headlined music festivals such as Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Osheaga, as well as his own festival. Camp Flog Roer. He embarked on his biggest world tour yet for his eighth studio album, “Chromakopia.” While on tour, he simultaneously released his latest album, “Don't Tap the Glass,” over the summer, which produced one of the biggest tracks of his career to date, the funky “Sugar on My Tongue.” Both projects have earned him five Grammy nominations.
Outside of music, she has also established herself in the field of fashion with both his streetwear brand, Golf Wang, and his luxury brand Le Fleur. This month, he will also make his film debut in the upcoming film “Marty Supreme.”
He left the senior class with one last piece of advice: “I know it sounds cheesy sometimes, but let me be the example. You can be whatever you want to be in this life. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Don't let the version of you today dictate the version you plan to be. Rock this m…”
He then pointed at members of the crowd again, yelling, “You have an iPad,” in reference to the ever-viral clip of Oprah Winfrey handing out free cars.
