Tyler, the Creator on Delusion, Gatekeeping, and His Latest Collaboration With Converse

The Collaboration Between Tyler, The Creator and Converse: A Testament to Trust and Innovation

Just over a year ago, the collaboration between Tyler, The Creator and Converse took a significant leap forward when Tyler headlined Coachella and presented a dossier of printouts from the back catalogue to the Converse team. This presentation sparked the impetus for a new collection of shoes, which, according to Lindsay Almeida, Converse’s global senior director of entertainment and sports marketing, became the fastest shoe they have ever made.

For Almeida, working with Tyler just makes sense. The trust between them has been built over the years, with Almeida stating, “Nine-point-nine times out of 10, we say yes to [Tyler’s ideas]. That’s the kind of trust we’ve built over the years.” This level of trust didn’t happen overnight. Tyler had been building a resumé of successful projects from 2011 to 2016, which gave Converse a reference point to trust his ideas when they collaborated in 2016.

Tyler’s entrepreneurial spirit and knack for fostering strong working relationships have been evident throughout his almost 20-year career. From his early days with Odd Future to creating his own record label, Tyler has always been a trailblazer in the music industry. His tight-knit network of collaborators, including Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, and Syd, have been instrumental in changing the landscape of music-making.

One of the driving forces behind Tyler’s creative vision is his longtime managers, Kelly and Christian Clancy. The Clancys left their high-flying jobs at Interscope Records to join forces with Tyler, recognizing his unique approach to music and art. Christian Clancy explains, “He has to go over there and let the algorithm adjust to him,” highlighting Tyler’s willingness to break the mold and pave his own path.

Tyler describes himself as “delusional” when it comes to creating music and art, emphasizing the importance of having a trusted team around him to bring his visions to life. He credits his managers and collaborators for helping him stay true to his artistic vision since he was a young child. “I knew what I wanted to do since I was legit five years old. This is the only thing I was supposed to do,” Tyler affirms.

The collaboration between Tyler, The Creator, and Converse is not just about creating a new collection of shoes; it’s a testament to trust, innovation, and staying true to one’s creative vision. As Tyler continues to push boundaries and defy expectations, his partnership with Converse serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when creativity and trust converge.