Beyond the Beat: Exploring Tyler, The Creator’s “Thought I Was Dead” Lyrics and Video

Tyler, The Creator has been many things over the years: shock jock, provocateur, artist, Grammy-winner, and that guy who seems like he’d throw a house party that starts off calm and turns to chaos by midnight.

But with his new single “Thought I Was Dead,” from his upcoming album Chromakopia, it feels like Tyler has stepped into a new space—one where he’s ready to call out the vultures, the fakes, and maybe even his younger self.

He’s blunt, he’s moody, and he’s here to remind everyone that, no, he hasn’t gone anywhere.

And with Chromakopia set to drop today 28th October, Tyler’s primed for a powerful new chapter.

Lyrics of “Thought I Was Dead”: Tyler’s Checkmate Move

Tyler isn’t easing anyone in with this track; from the jump, he’s dropping lines that cut right through. 

“Thought I was dead,” he says, as if mocking those who’d bet he’d fall off after all these years.

This isn’t just Tyler flexing—he’s making a statement, calling out “culture vultures” and the clout chasers lurking in the hip-hop shadows.

These lyrics aren’t looking for a mainstream hook; they’re a punchy, sometimes biting, inner monologue on fame, loyalty, and identity.

And while it’s easy to get lost in his wordplay, there’s a truth under the surface that long-time fans are sure to recognise.

But Tyler’s not just angry for the sake of it. This track feels like a manifesto of someone who’s been around long enough to see the industry’s cracks and wants to give a not-so-gentle nudge to the ones playing pretend.

There’s almost a wink in there, as if he’s letting you in on the joke while still holding back enough to keep everyone guessing.

The “Thought I Was Dead” Video: Grit, Glam, and That Tyler Attitude

The video for “Thought I Was Dead” is all Tyler—a scene washed in earthy tones where he’s strutting on top of a plane, as if trying to prove that even gravity can’t hold him down.

The choice to film in stark, muted colours fits the vibe: gritty, raw, and refreshingly unpolished.

He’s not here to impress with flashy effects or polished frames; he’s putting himself front and centre, as if to say, “This is me—take it or leave it.”

And then there are his dance moves. It’s a reminder that Tyler doesn’t take himself too seriously even while delivering hard-hitting lines.

It’s classic Tyler, throwing in a bit of humour to balance out the heavy, like adding a spoonful of sugar to a dark roast.

Sound and Style in “Thought I Was Dead”: Old-School Tyler with a Twist

The track itself has a sound that pulls from his Wolf and Cherry Bomb days, but there’s a maturity here that only comes with years.

The beats hit like a nod to his roots, but the layers in production show an evolution that fans from the Odd Future days wouldn’t have imagined back then.

He’s thrown in a bit of everything: thundering bass, growling tones, and a rhythm that feels like it’s knocking down a wall rather than staying within one.

Tyler doesn’t owe his audience a clean, radio-friendly bop. Instead, he’s offering a raw, honest version of himself—no filter, no pretence.

And let’s not forget Noid, the paranoia-infused single that Tyler released before this one.

In that track, he explored themes of fear and trust with an intense energy that makes “Thought I Was Dead” feel like a gritty companion piece.

Together, these tracks are shaping Chromakopia to be a project that dives deep into Tyler’s psyche and what he’s learned over the years.

Why “Thought I Was Dead” Defies Easy Labels

One of the best things about “Thought I Was Dead” is how hard it is to pin down. Is it a diss track? A throwback? A manifesto?

Maybe it’s none of those things, or maybe it’s all of them at once.

Tyler’s always had this knack for keeping people guessing, and this track is just another reminder that he’s not about to be neatly boxed in by anyone’s expectations.

And maybe that’s the real message here: Tyler’s never been the guy to cater to a trend or follow someone else’s rules. 

“Thought I Was Dead” isn’t Tyler reinventing himself; it’s him standing firm in who he’s become.

The beat’s rough, the lyrics are sharp, and the whole thing feels like a middle finger to anyone who thought he’d play it safe after hitting 30.

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Tyler, The Creator Thought I Was Dead Lyrics

Intro: Tyler, The Creator, Santigold, Bonita Smith
(Thought I was dead) I don’t wanna be found (Mm, uh), I don’t wanna be down (Mm, uh)
I don’t wanna be found (Mm, uh), I don’t wanna be down (Mm, uh)
I don’t wanna be found (Woo), I don’t wanna be down(Oh, you know Tyler, his talk)
I don’t wanna be found (I’m so sick of these niggas), I don’t wanna be down (They don’t know you, ooh, ah)

Verse: Tyler, The Creator, Santigold
White boys mockin’ this shit and y’all mad at me? Y’all can suck my dick (Suck my dick)
Pull up old tweets, pull up old t-shirts, all that, I moonwalk over that bitch (Hee-hee)
T-T changed like the fit got dirty
I was young man, then a nigga hit thirty
I was one mill’, then a nigga hit thirty
Bitch, you ain’t Coco Gauff, you can’t serve me (Mm, uh)
You anti-war? Hm, yeah, right
Niggas runnin’ they mouth, keep it airtight
I’ma crash shit out ’til my hair white (Mm, uh)
I got too much drive, I’m a terabyte (Mm, uh)
I got a big ol’ head, I ain’t like these niggas (Niggas)
Nuh uh, don’t put me with these niggas (Niggas)
I’on “Haha, keke” with these niggas (Niggas)
Loiter Squad, baby, I don’t be with these niggas (Niggas)
Same boys with me since back-back then (Mm, uh)
Everything I said I do, I did (True story)
Talk my shit? I sure damn will (Mm, uh)
You ain’t like that shit? I’s do it again (Mm, uh)
Five in the morning, I be hatin’ on shit (Mm, uh)
Ten in the evening, I be hatin’ on shit (Mm, uh)
Ten years later, mighta changed my mind (Mm, uh)
I’m a fake-ass bitch, don’t kill me (Mm, uh)
I’m a hypocrite, ain’t real, ain’t really
I’m a big troll, haha, I’m silly (I’m silly)
Fuck you know about being better than them niggas that you hate?
You ain’t good at shit, you can’t feel me
Talk your one-trick goat, I’m billy (Mm, uh)
Shoutout papa, he for real (Mm, yeah, uh)
Don’t test V, he pop for real (Mm, uh)
Had to call him like, “Stop and chill” (Mm, uh, ah), look
I tries to be out the way
I like the farm with the lake, I like some truth in my space
Y’all niggas friendly and fake
“That’s big bro,” how? When y’all met yesterday?
This feel Planet of the Apes
Why am I filled with this hate?
Got freedom in every way
Y’all wanna take what I got, but y’all do not got what it take
I don’t wanna be found, ya ho (Yeah, yeah)
I don’t wanna be down, ya ho (Yeah, yeah)
I don’t like comin’ around, ya ho (Yeah, yeah)
I will not, “Knock-knock,” at your door (Yeah)
Just me, that’s what I said (Ayy, ayy)
Trav’, these niggas is fed’ (Ayy, ayy)
Me, I’m overhead (Ayy, ayy)
These niggas thought I was dead