Tyler The Creator Big Poe Meaning and Review

A Bold Introduction to a New Era

Tyler, The Creator sets the tone for his ninth studio album Don't Tap The Glass with the audacious and electrifying “Big Poe.” From the distorted, rule-laying intro to the explosive verses that follow, the track is a bold announcement of the album’s ethos: no boundaries, no stillness, no emotional baggage. Tyler welcomes listeners with theatrical flair, commanding body movement and a rejection of traditional decorum, immediately signaling that this is not just music. It is an immersive experience. The haunting chant “Roked roked roked l’elohim” plays like an incantation, preparing us for the chaos that ensues.

Tyler's Raw and Provocative Performance

Musically, “Big Poe” is built on a frenetic, bass-heavy beat that hits like a livewire. Tyler thrives in this fast-moving pocket, delivering his verses with venom and charisma. His performance is brash, deeply confident, and at times purposefully provocative. Lines like “I hate lightskin niggas, on my mama” toy with discomfort and contradiction, as Tyler straddles humor, taboo, and self-awareness. The track’s main refrain, “I’m Big Poe, huh, nigga,” is delivered like a chant, a mantra, asserting dominance and persona with every repetition.

Busta Rhymes Takes Over

Busta Rhymes’ appearance with the sample is nothing short of explosive. His iconic rapid-fire flow does not so much blend with the track as it hijacks it, momentarily shifting the entire tone. The way his “Jump, jump” chant cuts through the chaos is both nostalgic and invigorating, pulling from his 1990s roots while maintaining the aggression that matches Tyler’s energy. It is a sudden tonal shift that feels almost like a separate song, but in typical Tyler fashion, this juxtaposition is deliberate and striking.

Pharrell Adds Luxury and Balance

Pharrell’s contributions offer a luxurious contrast, smoothing out the track’s abrasive edges with his signature elegance. His verse brags in velvet tones about jet-setting, wealth, and legacy, all classic Skateboard P, but with a sharper edge. His chemistry with Tyler is undeniable, especially when they trade bars in the song’s final stretch. Pharrell brings balance to Tyler’s unpredictability, and his melodic outro echoes the mysterious intro, tying the track together with ritualistic symmetry.

A Commanding Opening Statement

“Big Poe” is more than an album opener. It is a manifesto. It throws listeners into Tyler’s new world headfirst, unfiltered and unapologetic. With its warped production, bold lyricism, and stellar features, the track is a sonic rollercoaster that demands movement and attention. Tyler has never shied away from making a statement, but here he does not just want to be heard. He wants to be felt. “Big Poe” does just that, shaking the glass and daring you to tap back.

Listen To Tyler The Creator Big Poe

Tyler The Creator Big Poe Lyrics Meaning Explained 

The meaning of Big Poe by Tyler The Creator is a bold declaration of transformation, confidence, and unapologetic self-expression. Through vivid imagery, provocative language, and layered references, Tyler introduces a new alter ego that embodies rebelliousness, wealth, and creative freedom. The song blends themes of spirituality, personal identity, and cultural commentary, reflecting a fresh chapter in Tyler’s artistry where he embraces both vulnerability and power while challenging societal norms and expectations.

Intro: Setting the Tone

The intro of Big Poe opens with a clear invitation: "Welcome," signaling a fresh start or entrance into a new mindset. The line "Number one, body movement (Funky) / No sitting still (Dance, bro)" encourages physical expression and energy, setting a tone of liveliness and freedom. "Number two (Hahahaha), only speak in glory (Yeah)" suggests focusing only on positivity and success, leaving behind negativity. Tyler instructs, "Leave your baggage at home (None of that deep shit)," implying a desire to move past emotional vulnerability, perhaps distancing from the introspection featured heavily on his previous album Chromakopia. The command "Number three (Nigga), don't tap the glass" metaphorically warns against provoking something fragile or volatile, similar to signs seen in zoos or aquariums meant to protect animals from stress. This caution aligns with the recurring theme of maintaining composure and not stirring trouble. The Hebrew phrases "Roked roked roked l'elohim / Roked roked roked m'elohim," which translate to "Dancing to God / Dancing from God," introduce a spiritual or ritualistic element to the track, suggesting that the movement and energy are divinely inspired or blessed.

First Verse: Rebellion and Confidence

In the first verse, Tyler sets a rebellious and confident tone: "Burn this shit down, turn this shit up / I don't consent, I don't give fucks" conveys a refusal to conform or be controlled, embracing boldness. The dismissive "You on my dick, nigga, get up" asserts dominance over critics or competitors. The imagery "I'm a sick pup, girl, I'm nasty / Eat the creampie in the back of the backseat" is explicit and provocative, emphasizing raw sexuality and unfiltered honesty. The line "Yellow diamonds, Black skin, I'm taxi" blends luxury with everyday imagery; "yellow diamonds" are high-end Canary diamonds, while "Black skin, I'm taxi" refers to the visual contrast resembling the iconic colors of New York City taxis, mixing opulence with urban life. Tyler declares, "You can run all you want, nigga, you can't catch me," a boastful assertion of being untouchable and too fast or clever to be caught, which some interpret as a nod to the character Big Poe, known for speed and evasiveness in the video game The Legend of Zelda.

Chorus: Introducing Big Poe

The chorus repeats the persona "Big Poe," Tyler's new alter ego introduced with this album, asserting identity and confidence: "Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy) / I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy) / I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga, bitch (Ayy) / I'm Big Poe, huh, slim (Ayy)." This character represents a fresh chapter for Tyler, embodying a new attitude and creative energy.

Second Verse: Family and Identity

In the second verse, Tyler explores personal and familial themes through preference and identity: "I hate lightskin niggas, on my mama / I like darkskin bitches like my mama / I like lightskin bitches like my daddy." Here, Tyler contrasts his complicated feelings toward his absent father ("I like lightskin bitches like my daddy") with his affection for his mother ("I like darkskin bitches like my mama"), using skin tone as a symbolic reference to these parental figures. The line "You ain't like that line? Not my problem" reflects Tyler’s unapologetic attitude toward his controversial or honest expressions. The sexually explicit lines "I'm on the plane, tryna fuck her lip off / Switch off, sit on my face, gimme lip gloss" continue the theme of raw and unfiltered sexuality. The phrase "The tint off, that's not a G5, take that kit off" likely refers to private jets, with a G5 being a Gulfstream G500 jet; Tyler dismisses the idea of flying something less luxurious, maintaining a theme of high status. The final line of the verse, "Right now, I'm Mario, pipe down," cleverly references the iconic Nintendo character Mario, with "pipe down" serving as both a command to be quiet and a nod to the green pipes Mario travels through in his games.

Pharrell's Verse: Wealth and Success

Pharrell Williams’ verse brings in imagery of wealth and success: "Mm, I'm in Paris, where it rains / Married to the game, forty carats in the rings" portrays a glamorous lifestyle, blending romanticized luxury with dedication to the music industry ("married to the game"). The lines "And what you drive, you can't compare to the chains / Told my 'countant hurry up with the plane" emphasize material wealth and the urgency to maintain it. Mentioning "G700, on the globe with eight thousand / Those are extended with the miles in" highlights the private jet Gulfstream G700, symbolizing global success and mobility. Pharrell references multiple locations—Virginia, Florida, France—as "the housing," indicating a life spread across international luxury. The line "I got a bunch of wolves, they all down big" metaphorically refers to a loyal, powerful crew surrounding him.

Fourth Verse: Guarded and Paranoid

Returning to Tyler, the fourth verse reintroduces a guarded, almost paranoid tone: "No cell phone, this a dead spot (Huh, huh) / You sneak photos, get your hands chopped (Huh, huh)" reflects strict control over privacy, likely referencing the no-phone policy at the album’s listening party. "You weird as fuck, nigga, I said stop (Huh, huh)" continues this assertion of boundaries. The controversial line "I don't trust white people with dreadlocks" nods to Tyler’s real-life confrontation with a white man wearing dreadlocks at one of his concerts, highlighting cultural tensions and authenticity issues. The phrase "Big dog ball over here, Sandlot" alludes to the 1993 film Sandlot, where a giant dog ("the Beast") guards the baseball; here it symbolizes dominance and territorial control. Tyler says, "I'm swimmin' in the green, I'm a ham hock (Bro)" blending multiple meanings—"swimming in green" as having money, "ham hock" as a Southern food staple, referencing the Doctor Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham, and also playing on Southern culture imagery. "I'll get the metal ringin' like a can top, pop" compares the sound of jewelry (metal) to the opening ring pull of a canned drink, a vivid auditory metaphor for wealth and flair.

Bridge: Energy and Action

The bridge features a sample from Busta Rhymes’ "Pass the Courvoisier Part II," with the repeated chant "Don't this shit make a nigga wanna (Jump, jump)" injecting an energetic call to action that reinforces the track’s lively and rebellious vibe.

Pharrell's Second Verse: Braggadocio and Critique

Pharrell’s second verse continues with braggadocio and sharp observations: "And they got bitches that want poundin' / Ho niggas, broke niggas, shouldn't allow 'em" critiques people who are unsuccessful or fake. "The diamond's most brilliant when it's rounded" references how a well-cut diamond shines best, serving as a metaphor for refinement and quality. "You niggas don't talk to your accountant (Ayy)" points to poor financial management among some peers. The line "Hoppin' out of baby mamas' cars clownin' (Ayy)" criticizes immature behavior. "You ain't with the bullets flyin'? Get down then (Ayy)" implies the harsh realities of street life or competition. The phrase "They ain't tell you 'bout this drip? Nigga, drown then (Ayy)" boasts about fashion and style ("drip"), suggesting others are overwhelmed by their success. "Oh, what, you wanna get loud then? / Huh, fuck around and get found then" is a warning against provocations. Pharrell finishes with "I like crewnecks, polos, and chinos / A mouth full of rocks like Dino," mixing casual style preferences with the reference to rapper Dino’s signature iced-out teeth. Finally, "Yellow diamonds, ask Jacob, nigga, he know" is a shout-out to Jacob & Co., a jeweler famous for custom diamond pieces, linking back to luxury and status symbolism.

Outro: Spiritual Undercurrents

The outro repeats the spiritual Hebrew phrases "Roked roked roked l'elohim / Roked roked roked m'elohim," underscoring the song’s blend of earthly bravado with divine or mystical undertones, completing the layered experience of Big Poe.

Tyler The Creator Big Poe Lyrics 

[Intro: Tyler, The Creator]

Welcome

Number one, body movement (Funky)

No sitting still (Dance, bro)

Number two (Hahahaha), only speak in glory (Yeah)

Leave your baggage at home (None of that deep shit)

Number three (Nigga), don't tap the glass

Roked roked roked l'elohim

Roked roked roked m'elohim

[Verse 1: Tyler, The Creator]

Burn this shit down, turn this shit up

I don't consent, I don't give fucks

You on my dick, nigga, get up

Wipe your lips off while I zip up, huh

I'm a sick pup, girl, I'm nasty

Eat the creampie in the back of the backseat

Yellow diamonds, Black skin, I'm taxi

You can run all you want, nigga, you can't catch me

[Chorus: Tyler, The Creator]

Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga, bitch (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, slim (Ayy)

[Verse 2: Tyler, The Creator]

I hate lightskin niggas, on my mama

I like darkskin bitches like my mama

I like lightskin bitches like my daddy

You ain't like that line? Not my problem

I'm on the plane, tryna fuck her lip off

Switch off, sit on my face, gimme lip gloss

The tint off, that's not a G5, take that kit off

Right now, I'm Mario, pipe down

[Chorus: Tyler, The Creator]

Baby, I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga, bitch (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, slim (Ayy)

[Verse 3: Pharrell Williams]

Mm, I'm in Paris, where it rains

Married to the game, forty carats in the rings

And what you drive, you can't compare to the chains

Told my 'countant hurry up with the plane

G700, on the globe with eight thousand

Those are extended with the miles in

Virginia, Florida, France is the housing

I got a bunch of wolves, they all down big

[Chorus: Tyler, The Creator]

Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, nigga, bitch (Ayy)

I'm Big Poe, huh, slim (Ayy)

[Verse 4: Tyler, The Creator]

No cell phone, this a dead spot (Huh, huh)

You sneak photos, get your hands chopped (Huh, huh)

You weird as fuck, nigga, I said stop (Huh, huh)

I don't trust white people with dreadlocks

Big dog ball over here, Sandlot

I'm swimmin' in the green, I'm a ham hock (Bro)

I'll get the metal ringin' like a can top, pop

[Bridge: Busta Rhymes]

Don't this shit make a nigga wanna (Jump, jump)

Don't this shit make a nigga wanna (Jump, jump)

Don't this shit make a nigga wanna (Jump, jump)

Don't this shit make a nigga wanna (Jump, jump)

Don't this shit make a nigga wanna (Jump, jump)

(Jump, jump)

(Jump, jump)

(Jump, jump)

[Verse 5: Pharrell Williams & Tyler, The Creator]

And they got bitches that want poundin'

Ho niggas, broke niggas, shouldn't allow 'em

The diamond's most brilliant when it's rounded

You niggas don't talk to your accountant (Ayy)

Hoppin' out of baby mamas' cars clownin' (Ayy)

You ain't with the bullets flyin'? Get down then (Ayy)

They ain't tell you 'bout this drip? Nigga, drown then (Ayy)

Oh, what, you wanna get loud then?

Huh, fuck around and get found then

I like crewnecks, polos, and chinos

A mouth full of rocks like Dino

Yellow diamonds, ask Jacob, nigga, he know

[Outro: Pharrell Williams]

Roked roked roked l'elohim (Nigga, he know, nigga, he know)

Roked roked roked m'elohim (Nigga, he know, nigga, he know)

Roked roked roked l'elohim

Roked roked roked m'elohim