Tyler, The Creator – ‘Don’t Tap The Glass’ Review: Disco-Rap Rewind with Hip-Hop Roots

Tyler, The Creator’s ‘Don’t Tap The Glass’ spins disco-rap charm with nods to hip-hop history, delivering a vibrant and playful 28-minute groove.

From School Talent Shows to Disco-Rap Mastery

Before Tyler, The Creator was a Grammy-winning artist known for his creative leaps, he was just a kid dancing to Omarion’s ‘Touch’ at a school talent show. That same unfiltered joy and knack for digging through music crates resurfaces powerfully in his ninth album, Don’t Tap The Glass.

This surprise drop is a 10-track manifesto bursting with disco sheen and funky talkbox vibes reminiscent of the Zapp Band, crafting a sound that’s equal parts nostalgic and fresh.

A Dance Battle Set to Early-2000s Hip-Hop Bounce

Right out of the gate, opener "Big Poe" sets a playful tone with a raucous bounce inspired by early 2000s N.E.R.D’s In Search Of… era. Pharrell Williams — who co-produced Omarion’s ‘Touch’ — appears like a Y2K ghost, spitting animated verses over a beat flipped in the style of Busta Rhymes. The album’s lively energy is infectious and clearly crafted for the dance floor.

A Concise Yet Potent Disco-Hip-Hop Hybrid

Clocking in at a sharp 28 minutes, Don’t Tap The Glass rides a groove fueled by disco-flavored raps and classic ’80s hip-hop influences. Tracks like “Stop Playing With Me” resurrect and remix drum patterns reminiscent of Whodini and Run DMC, injecting them with modern digital flair. Meanwhile, “Don’t Tap That Glass / Tweakin’” features personal barbs over basslines made for cruising lowriders:

“N**** said I lost touch with the regular folks, I ain’t never been regular, you n**** is jokes.”

Standout Tracks: Funk, Funk, and More Funk

Two tracks steal the spotlight with their creative flair. “Ring Ring Ring” mixes tangled landline sounds, irreverent lyrics, and thick funk bass into an irresistible concoction. Then there’s “Don’t You Worry Baby,” a tender R&B gem spotlighting Brooklyn’s Madison McFerrin. This track evokes the nostalgic 1997 Miami Bass classic “Swing My Way” by K.P. & Envyi, pulling at heartstrings with its emotional depth.

The closing track, “Tell Me What It Is,” feels a bit undercooked but earnestly channels vibes from Tyler’s 2017 album Flower Boy. His vulnerable, Kelis-referencing line —

“Mama, I’m a millionaire, but I’m feelin’ like a bum” —

captures a restless search for meaning and connection that fans will recognize and relate to.

Shedding the Theatrics for Pure Groove

Compared to the sprawling cinematic vibes and narrative depth of last year’s Chromakopia, Tyler takes a step back from his character-driven storytelling personas like Wolf Haley or Sir Baudelaire. The paranoia and tension from that album linger but are now wrapped in the playful armor of cartoonish ’80s rap. It’s like he’s a collector’s action figure encased in clear Perspex — instead of reaching out, Tyler positions himself as a display piece for dancing and admiring from afar.

Album Details

• Release date: July 21, 2025
• Record label: Columbia

Tyler, The Creator’s Don’t Tap The Glass offers a refreshing, danceable trip through hip-hop history wrapped in disco flair. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his sound, this album invites you to groove, rewind, and tap into the joyful spirit of classic rap and funk.

What’s your favorite disco-rap fusion? Does Tyler’s latest take on hip-hop history hit the right notes for you?

FAQs

• How many tracks are on ‘Don’t Tap The Glass’?
  The album includes 10 tracks, blending disco, hip-hop, and funk influences in a tight 28-minute runtime.
• Who features prominently on the album?
  Pharrell Williams appears on the opener, and Brooklyn vocalist Madison McFerrin shines on “Don’t You Worry Baby.”
• What era of hip-hop influences this album?
  Tyler taps into ’80s hip-hop styles, with nods to Run DMC, Whodini, Kurtis Blow, and LL Cool J.
• How does this album differ from ‘Chromakopia’?
  It’s more concise and less theatrical, focusing on danceable grooves rather than cinematic narratives.
• Where can I buy Tyler, The Creator album posters?
  You can shop your favorite album cover posters at our store for unique and stylish prints.

Shop your favorite album cover posters today and bring the vibe of Tyler’s Don’t Tap The Glass and other classics right into your space at Architeg Prints.