Tyler, The Creator

Lyrics

[Intro]
Random disclaimer!
Hey, don't do anything that I say in this song, okay?
It's fucking fiction
If anything happens, don't fucking blame me
White America, fuck Bill O'Reilly
Four, three, two, one

[Verse 1]
What the fuck I look like? Sayin' I'm sorry
To a bunch of fucking fags that can't potentially harm me?
I ain't never gonna bow down to your expectations
By the way, I got sixty fucking wolves that'll guard me
That skate hard, Thrash' black hoodies, try something
Make sure your fuckin' feelings end up up in a Glad bag
Fuck all your opinions, I'm tyin' 'em with a shoestring

[Pre-Chorus]
And fuck the fat lady, it's over when all the kids sing

[Chorus]
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
[Post-Chorus 1]
(Left, right, left, right, left, right)
Odd Future, Wolf Gang (Left, right, left, right, left, right)
We came together 'cause (Left, right, left, right)
We ain't have nobody else (Left, right, left, right)
Do you? (Left, right, left, right)
You just might be one of us (Left, right, left, right, left, right)
Are you? (Left, right)

[Verse 2]
Fuck cops, I'm a fucking rockstar
Rebel and defiance makes my motherfucking cock hard
Fuck pigs, fuck guards, all some fucking retards
Fuck school, I'm a fuck up? Fuck Harvard
I ain't got no fucking money (Hey, mom)
I ain't got no motherfucking daddy, he ain't teach me shit
Child support ain't come, that faggot still ain't bought me anything

[Pre-Chorus]
Fuck the fat lady, it's over when all the kids sing

[Chorus]
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
[Post-Chorus 2]
(Left, right, left, right)
They want us to go to they schools and (Left, right, left, right, left, right)
Be fucking miserable at they fucking college, studying that bullshit (Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right)
Fuck that (Left, right)
Do what the fuck makes you happy (Left, right, left, right)
'Cause at the end (Left, right, left, right)
Who's there? You (Left, right, left, right)

[Chorus]
Fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
Kill people, burn shit, fuck school
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
I'm fucking radical, nigga, I'm fucking radical
I'm fucking radical, I'm motherfucking radical
[Post-Chorus 3]
You hear that, nigga?
That's cult shit right there, nigga
Wolf Gang!
Fuck everybody else, nigga!
Stand for somethin', get money, nigga!
Wolf Gang in this bitch, nigga, we sixty deep
Fuck with me, nigga
Odd Future, nigga
Stand the fuck up! (Left, right, left, right)
I'm not sayin' just to go out and do some stupid shit, commit crimes (Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right)
What I'm trying to tell you is (Left, right, left, right)
Do what the fuck you want (Left, right, left, right)
Stand for what the fuck you believe in, and don't let nobody tell you can't do what the fuck you want (Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right)
I'm a fucking unicorn (Left, right)
And fuck anybody, who say I'm not (Left, right, left, right)
Wolf Gang

[Bridge]
Fuck your traditions (and), fuck your positions (and)
Fuck your religion (and), fuck your decisions
(See) They're not mine, so you gotta let 'em go
See, we can be ourselves, but you gotta let us know
Fuck your traditions (and), fuck your positions (and)
Fuck your religion (and), fuck your decisions
(See) They're not mine, you gotta let 'em go
See, we can be ourselves, but you gotta let us know
Fuck your traditions (and), fuck your positions (and)
Fuck your religion (and), fuck your decisions
(See) They're not mine, so you gotta let 'em go
See, we can be ourselves, but you gotta let us know
Go
You gotta let 'em go, let 'em go
You gotta let 'em—
Go
You gotta let 'em go, let 'em go
You gotta let 'em— (You gotta)
Go

[Outro: Dr. TC & Tyler, The Creator]
You gotta let these shits go, man. (You gotta let 'em go, let 'em go)
It's not making sense to you right now, but (You gotta let 'em, go, let 'em go), all these little dreams you got, they're not shit. (Let 'em go, you gotta let 'em, go)
All this rebellion (You gotta let 'em go), all this crazy shit you got, saying this shit (Let 'em go, you gotta let 'em, go), getting too old for this shit, man, you gotta grow out of it. (You gotta let 'e, go)
Growing up, your dreams are getting bigger. (Let 'em go, you gotta let 'em, go)
You gotta look at reality, understand that shit, so you don't get caught. (You gotta let 'em go)
I'm just bein' real (Let 'em go)
Nigga, fuck you (You gotta let 'em—)
I'm just trying to help you, man (You gotta let 'em go), trust me (Let 'em go, you gotta let 'em, go)
Look, I mature day after day, nigga (For real), you don't know shit (You gotta let 'em go), you're a fucking therapist
Whatever (Let 'em go, you gotta let 'em—)

If there's one thing that Tyler, The Creator is known for, it's stirring up controversy, and his song "Radicals" is no exception. The track is the third cut on his second album, Goblin, and is known for its provocative, in-your-face lyrics that showcase Tyler's rebellious, anti-establishment style.

At its core, "Radicals" is a song about emancipation and rebelling against societal confines. Tyler's unapologetic, "fuck everything" attitude is on full display throughout the track, and he makes no apologies for it. He wants his listeners to know that they shouldn't take what he says too seriously and that they shouldn't blame him if they go out and do something crazy.

About Radicals

The track starts with Tyler saying, “Welcome back to class, ladies and gentlemen. I am Professor Tyler and I will be your fine arts teacher and I will be your English teacher for the remainder of the fucking year”. This opening line encapsulates his desire to rebel against educational institutions and societal norms that dictate what kind of person he should be.

In the chorus, Tyler repeats the words, "Kill people, burn shit, fuck school," which has stirred up controversy and caused many to label him as promoting violence. In reality, however, Tyler is using these words to express his frustration with the world and his desire to break free from the constraints that society has placed upon him.

The song’s bridge exhibits Tyler's conflicting views on maturity. He admits that he shouldn't be saying some of the things he's rapping about, but, at the same time, he refuses to conform to societal norms and wants to stay true to himself. Ultimately, "Radicals" is about embracing individuality and being unapologetically true to oneself.

"Radicals" gained notoriety in 2019 when a University of South Alabama student was charged with making terrorist threats after writing, "Kill People, Burn Shit, Fuck School, Hail Satan 666, Praise the Devil" in a library. The lyrics were reportedly written “on or around” the 18th year anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which added to the controversy surrounding Tyler's lyrics.

In terms of the song's production, "Radicals" features a grimy, bass-heavy beat that perfectly matches the anarchic nature of Tyler's lyrics. The instrumental is minimalistic, featuring little more than a driving bassline, which allows Tyler’s vocals to shine through. This stripped-down approach to production is a hallmark of Tyler's style and helps add to the intensity and rawness of the track.

While "Radicals" may be controversial, there's no denying the impact it's had on music and pop culture. Tyler, The Creator has never been one to shy away from sharing his views on society and his desire to break free from its constraints, and "Radicals" is a prime example of that ethos.

The Bottom Line

"Radicals" is a bold, in-your-face track that showcases Tyler, The Creator's rebellious spirit and desire to break free from the constraints of traditional society. While some may find the song's lyrics controversial or even offensive, there's no denying the impact it's had on music and pop culture over the years since its release. If you're looking for a track that's unapologetically individualistic and speaks truth to power, then "Radicals" is the perfect choice.

• Release Date: May 10, 2011
• Artist: Tyler, The Creator