Last weekend, Tyler, the Creator superfans took over Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for the star’s very own music festival, Camp Flog Gnaw. The first edition in four years, due to the pandemic and all that, everyone’s favourite oddball rapper upped the ante with performances from friends and collaborators SZA, Ice Spice, Lil Yachty, PinkPantheress, Paris Texas, The Hillbillies — aka Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar — and many, many more of the year’s most hyped artists.
For his own epic performance at the so-called carnival’s homecoming, Tyler staged one of his most impressive sets yet — performing from a junkyard full of smashed up cars, with a crane hovering above him and flames meeting a bright blue sky. “It’s been three fucking years. COVID fucked us, bro….” he said on stage. “Three, four years later, and y’all motherfuckers still care to come to this shit? It truly means so fucking much to me and the team.”
Since its early days as the OFWGKTA or Odd Future carnival, the annual festival struck a chord within Southern California’s hip-hop underground, and its success can now be felt on a global scale. Attendees travelled from all over the states, many even dressing like Tyler himself, referencing looks from his music videos or sporting his own Golf Wang label. Meet some of the superfans, and see all the best looks from Camp Flog Gnaw below.
Isabelle, 21, Portland, OR
What do you do? Pet care. What inspired your outfit? Comfort. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Tyler <3 What song do you have on repeat right now? Anything by Willow Smith.
Ben G, 23, Anaheim, CA
What do you do? I’m a radio host at KUCI 88.9 FM. What inspired your outfit? I feel like the colours represent fall, even though it’s warm outside. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Covering the event and getting to talk to artists I listen to all the time. What song do you have on repeat right now? “GUAYAKI” by AG Club.
Ally Wang, 23, New York, NY
What do you do? Consulting. What inspired your outfit? Pinterest! I wanted to encapsulate the energy of this carnival. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw? My sister. What song do you have on repeat right now? “drive ME crazy!” by Lil Yachty.
Venus Wang, 19, Boca Raton, FL
What do you do? UCLA student! What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? I love Tyler. I’ve seen him three times and all the headliners are amazing. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “They should call you sugar / cuz you’re so sweet to me” by Tyler, the Creator. What’s one cool thing happening in your city we should know about? Art Basel.
Camden, 13, Los Angeles, CA
What do you do? Model, act, dance, school. What inspired your outfit? Tyler’s music videos. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Big Tyler fan and music lover <3 What’s one cool thing happening in your city we should know about? Amazing Grace Conservatory. What song do you have on repeat right now? “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?” by Tyler, the Creator.
Duckwrth, 34, Los Angeles, CA
What do you do? Music and design. What inspired your outfit? Kaneda from Akira. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Friends and family. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “God breathed on me” – Kanye West. What’s one cool thing happening in your city we should know about? Hot sauna at Wi Spa. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Found!” by Portraits of Tracy.
Jadyn, 18, Bakersfield, CA
What do you do? Cosmetology. What inspired your outfit? Being myself 🙂 What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? It had been so long since the last Flog Gnaw, I just had to buy tickets. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “Cherry bomb”. Tell us one cool thing about your city. Korn is from Bakersfield! What song do you have on repeat right now? “Steak Sauce” by Tyler, the Creator.
Antonija, 26, Albuquerque, NM
What do you do? Barista. What inspired your outfit? I love coquette and edgy aesthetics. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? We love Tyler! What song do you have on repeat right now? “DOGTOOTH” by Tyler, the Creator.
Symone, 26, Albuquerque, NM
What do you do? Office job 🙁 What inspired your outfit? My bestie! What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Music. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “I fucking love you / but I hate you” – Tyler, the Creator. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Summertime in Paris (feat. WILLOW)” by Jaden.
Khyle, 24, Anchorage, AK
What do you do? I work at That Feeling Co. plant and coffee shop. What inspired your outfit? Green and brown are my favourite colour, also overalls are just sick. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? It’s my third year coming here, and I’m taking my lil bro to his first festival. What’s one cool thing happening in your city we should know about? There was 30 inches of snow when I left Alaska to come here. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Valentina” by Dreamer Isioma.
Luvly, 20, Long Beach, CA
What do you do? Barista 🙂 What inspired your outfit? A cool girl I saw at school. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? If Kali Uchis is here, I’m here. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “Quiero emborrachar mi corazon” from Kali Uchis’ song “quiero sentirme bien”. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Venus As A Boy (7” Dream Mix)” by Björk.
Bella, 15, Fontana, CA
What do you do? Dancer. What inspired your outfit? Pinterest!! What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? It’s fire. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “I fucking love you / but I hate you” – Tyler, the Creator. What song do you have on repeat right now? “BEST INTEREST” by Tyler, the Creator.
Nisha, 23, Dubai, U.A.E.
What do you do? Podcast producer. What inspired your outfit? Y2K, punk, Goodwill energy? What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? I was supposed to come here with my boyfriend but we’re broken up, so I came to look hot as revenge. And because I love music. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “I don’t want the season to end on a bad episode”. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Peechay Hutt” by Hasan Raheem.
Nia, 20, Los Angeles, CA
What do you do? Student at SMC and a designer. What inspired your outfit? I wanted to wear a look based off of the yellow and brown. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “Cause I feel weak” by Toro y Moi. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Sextape” by Deftones.
Georgia, 16, Seattle, WA
What do you do? I’m a student. What inspired your outfit? Kate Moss, but at Woodstock. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? My sister. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “Stuck by you” from Beabadoobee’s “Glue Song”. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Prom” by SZA.
Raydeo, 25, New York, NY
What do you do? Music artist, creative director and stylist. What inspired your outfit? I love a saturated colour palette with a blend of 80s, 90s, 2000s style. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Meeting my idols Kendrick and Tyler. What’s one cool thing happening in your city we should know about? The culture evolving like a Pokémon. What song do you have on repeat right now? “SORRY NOT SORRY” by Tyler, the Creator.
Vanessa & Mia, 20, Inland Empire, CA
What do you do? Attend school. What inspired your outfit? It’s inspired by Kali Uchis. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? For a fun time with music and friends. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “Wish you well”. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Cherry Bomb” by Tyler, the Creator.
MJ, 21, Arizona
What do you do? Student in psychology at ASU. What inspired your outfit? Rockstar girlfriend looks on Pinterest. What brought you out to Camp Flog Gnaw today? Been a Tyler fan for years. If you had to get a lyric tattooed on your body, what would it be? “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?” What’s one cool thing happening in your city we should know about? Nothing. What song do you have on repeat right now? “Breathe” by Pink Floyd.
Credits
Photography Miriam Marlene