Is Monday Morning Tyler, The Creator's Time After 'Don't Tap the Glass' No. 1 Debut?

Tyler, The Creator's Unconventional Strategy and the Success of "Don't Tap the Glass"

For the second consecutive year, Tyler, The Creator has claimed the top spot on the DISCOVER TREND200 with a new album. This time, he did it with just over half a week of consumption to his credit. The release of "Don't Tap the Glass" came as a surprise, dropping on the morning of July 21 — a Monday, which is three days into the tracking week that starts on Friday. This strategy mirrors his previous release of "Chromakopia," which also debuted at No. 1 with 299,000 first-week units (according to Luminate). "Don't Tap the Glass" followed suit, debuting at No. 1 with 197,000 units, though it had less time to accumulate numbers.

This raises several questions: Has Tyler's Monday-release strategy been validated by these back-to-back No. 1s? And will this be his first year ranking among the country's top tier of pop stars?

First-Week Units: A Surprising Success

The first-week units for "Don't Tap the Glass" were impressive, especially considering the shortened tracking period.

• Mackenzie Cummings-Grady noted that for only four days of tracking, the number is very high and in line with what she would expect from a Tyler release. She emphasized the power of his fanbase, which is known for being rabid and cult-like.
• Kyle Denis felt the number was about what he expected, although he hoped it might have surpassed 200,000 units.
• Angel Diaz called the number impressive, noting that it didn’t have a full rollout and was released less than a year after "Chromakopia."
• Jason Lipshutz said the number was higher than expected, highlighting the success of a surprise album in a shortened chart week.
• Andrew Unterberger thought it was a bit lower than "Chromakopia," but still considered it an incredible feat, especially when compared to other artists like Justin Bieber.

The Impact of the Monday Release Strategy

Tyler’s decision to release both "Chromakopia" and "Don't Tap the Glass" on Mondays has sparked debate about whether this unconventional strategy is effective.

• Mackenzie Cummings-Grady believes the strategy is justified, pointing to the strength of Tyler’s fanbase. She argued that fans follow him specifically, rather than just checking in for new music every Friday.
• Kyle Denis agreed, stating that the mid-week releases have created a cultural spectacle that dominates the conversation for the following week.
• Angel Diaz appreciated the surprise factor but expressed a preference for more traditional releases, so that critics can provide informed reviews without guessing.
• Jason Lipshutz found the strategy curious, noting that Tyler could have achieved bigger numbers with a standard Friday drop. However, he believed the buzz generated by the releases made up for any missed units.
• Andrew Unterberger was generally in favor of the strategy but wished to see a return to Friday releases, especially with more promotion, to see how much Tyler could achieve at his commercial peak.

Chart Performance and Potential Breakout Hits

Despite the album’s mid-week release, "Don't Tap the Glass" managed to launch all 10 tracks onto the Hot 100, though only one song, "Big Poe," charted in the top 40.

• Mackenzie Cummings-Grady felt that while "Big Poe" and "Sugar On My Tongue" are infectious, Tyler is more of an album guy, with fans coming for the full experience.
• Kyle Denis predicted "Ring Ring Ring" as the breakout hit, citing its dance-forward sound and potential for radio play.
• Angel Diaz placed his bet on "Stop Playing With Me" and "Don't You Worry Baby," suggesting that the album’s short length makes it easy for listeners to enjoy the whole set.
• Jason Lipshutz highlighted "Sugar On My Tongue" as a standout track, calling it a dance-funk fantasia with potential to become a summer smash.
• Andrew Unterberger pointed to "Stop Playing With Me" for its music video, but admitted that the concept of a "breakout hit" is relative for Tyler.

Album Status: Side Project or Major Work?

With no prior history of releasing albums in back-to-back years, "Don't Tap the Glass" has raised questions about its place in Tyler’s discography.

• Mackenzie Cummings-Grady viewed it as more of a side project, noting that Tyler himself tempered expectations before its release.
• Kyle Denis believed the album could end up being as respected as Tyler’s other works, given the positive reaction and strong production.
• Angel Diaz initially thought it was a side project but changed his mind after seeing the overwhelming response.
• Jason Lipshutz saw the album as distinct from "Chromakopia" but acknowledged that their proximity may make them seem linked for now.
• Andrew Unterberger doubted it would make it into end-of-decade lists but praised it as a fun and powerful showcase of Tyler’s talents.

Will Tyler Make the Top 10 Pop Stars List?

Despite his success, Tyler, The Creator has yet to finish in the top 10 of the Greatest Pop Stars year-end list.

• Mackenzie Cummings-Grady believes he deserves a spot on the list, citing his undeniable influence in mainstream music.
• Kyle Denis argued that Tyler’s recent successes, including "Chromakopia" and "Don't Tap the Glass," have solidified his case.
• Angel Diaz expressed frustration if Tyler isn’t included, emphasizing his status as one of the biggest rap stars and his multifaceted contributions to music.
• Jason Lipshutz was confident that Tyler would make the list, citing his ongoing success and cultural impact.
• Andrew Unterberger stated that it would take a significant end to the year for Tyler not to be included.