Exploring Tyler, The Creator's Paranoia in "Noid"

Tyler, The Creator is back with a new single titled "Noid," which serves as the lead song from his upcoming seventh studio album Chromakopia.

In "Noid," Tyler showcases a haunting atmosphere propelled by a chopped guitar riff. This track features a sample from the Zambian rock band Ngozi Family's 1977 song "Nizakupanga Ngozi," and the guitar break is reminiscent of the heavy sounds found in Black Sabbath's iconic "War Pigs."

Despite the compelling sound, the song reveals Tyler's struggle with paranoia that comes from the challenges of fame, which seems inescapable.

Somebody's Watching Me

The concept of being monitored isn’t new in music. Rockwell's 1984 hit, "Somebody's Watching Me," similarly deals with themes of feeling hunted and followed, especially around Halloween times. Tyler draws inspiration from this notion, expressing the realities of celebrity life, where he feels constantly pursued by fans and the paparazzi.

In his lyrics, he candidly admits his fears, singing: I can't even buy a home in private / Home invasions got my brothers dying / Notice every car that's driving by / I think my neighbors want me dead / I got a cannon underneath the bed / Triple-checking if I locked the door / I know every creak that's in the floor / Motherf—-r I'm paranoid.

He echoes Rockwell's feeling of despair with the line: Someone's keeping watch / I feel them in my shadow.

Ngozi Family

The song also leans on contributions from Ngozi Family, taking its chorus hook from their track "Nizakupanga Ngozi", where Paul Ngozi's lyrics emphasize the need for respect and caution against gossip.

The original song appears on Ngozi Family's album 45,000 Volts and is a cornerstone of the Zamrock genre, fusing African music elements with psychedelic rock influences from bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.

Blessed (and Cursed)

In his prior album Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler exuded confidence, appearing relaxed in his status as a leading voice in the alt-rap scene. However, with "Noid," he hints that success comes with its own set of claustrophobic challenges.

Since his debut in 2011 with Goblin, Tyler has consistently explored the darker side of fame and obsession. In earlier work, specifically in the song "She," he delves into themes of a stalker watching someone while they sleep, and the feeling of unwanted attention is prevalent.

With "Noid," the narrative progresses to his present-day anxiety, as shown in the music video where Tyler often hides behind masks and locked doors. He peeks out from behind curtains, suspicious that someone is stalking him.

A striking moment includes him seeing mysterious figures in the mirror, only to discover he is alone in the room.

Watch Your Surroundings

The characters pursuing Tyler in "Noid" can be interpreted as either real threats or products of his imagination, as he navigates the genre-blending track filled with frenetic energy. The imagery conjured throughout reflects a constant fear of being watched by not only fans but also by the ghosts of his anxieties.

Tyler encapsulates this sentiment with the line: Privacy? Yeah, right, I got a better shot in the NBA.

The track culminates with unresolved piano keys as he pleads for solitude: Leave me alone / What you want?

Tyler, Noid, Paranoia