The best of Camp Flog Gnaw ahead of its 10th anniversary – Daily News

The Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, which returns to Dodger Stadium November 16-17, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. What started as a collection of ideas in a notebook by Tyler Gregory Okonma, aka Tyler, The Creator – the Los Angeles rapper, producer and creative powerhouse – has grown into one of the city's most anticipated festivals.

In 2012, Tyler debuted Camp Flog Gnaw as the OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All) carnival in a Novo Theater parking lot to a small group of around 2,000 die-hard fans. The event was a bold experiment: a mix of rides, Odd Future-branded treats, and performances from Tyler's friends, including Lil Wayne, Trash Talk, and Action Bronson, among others. It was unconventional, chaotic and a little rough around the edges, but it laid the foundation for something much bigger.

As the festival gained momentum, Tyler partnered with Goldenvoice, the team behind the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, to bring his vision to life. With their support, Camp Flog Gnaw grew into a multi-day, captivating carnival and concert that attracted fans from around the world. The venue moved to larger spaces, eventually landing at Dodger Stadium, where tens of thousands of fans now gather each year to experience Tyler's world: a surreal, genre-bending fusion of hip-hop, indie, R&B, jazz and everything else his eye is so popular.

Today, Camp Flog Gnaw represents not only Tyler's vision but also a piece of Los Angeles' cultural identity, bringing together diverse crowds for an experience full of surprise guest appearances, pop-up clothing stores, experimental sets, and cross-border collaborations. Tyler curates each lineup himself, carefully selecting artists that reflect his distinct, eclectic taste and love of artistic fusion. This year's lineup includes Action Bronson, André 3000, The Alchemist & Friends, Amelia Moore, Blood Orange, Concrete Boys, Daniel Caesar, Denzel Curry, Playboi Carti, Doechii, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt, Erykah Badu, Faye Webster, FM Mood: A tribute to MF Doom, Kaytranada and more.

As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we look back at five moments that made Camp Flog Gnaw history.

The Strange Future Reunion (2013)

One of the earliest milestones in Camp Flog Gnaw's history occurred in 2013 when Tyler brought together the original Odd Future crew, including Earl Sweatshirt, Hodgy Beats and Left Brain. This reunion was a nod to the collective's roots, reminding fans of the group's raw, irreverent energy that first put Tyler and friends on the map. Odd Future's reunion at the festival had a nostalgic and chaotic atmosphere, reinforcing the festival's rebellious spirit and cementing its legacy as an event rooted in authenticity and community.

Kanye West joins A$AP Rocky (2016)

In 2016, Kanye West made a surprise appearance at A$AP Rocky's set, performing “Father Stretch My Hands Pt.” 1. The performance electrified the audience, brought fans of both artists together and created an iconic moment in the history of Camp Flog Gnaw. Kanye's surprise appearance marked the festival's emergence as a platform where major artists feel at home and emerge for unforgettable collaborations that go beyond what most festivals offer. Tyler, known for tapping top talent for unexpected performances, set a high bar with this moment, which became one of the most talked-about highlights of the year.

Tyler and Kid Cudi share the stage (2018)

In 2018, Tyler fulfilled a long-held dream when he released Kid Cudi, an artist he has openly idolized throughout his career. Together they performed some of Cudi's legendary songs, creating a powerful, emotional experience that was well received by the audience. Tyler's admiration for Cudi, who was a key figure in shaping alternative hip-hop, was palpable and fans could sense the mutual respect between the two artists. This warm collaboration became a defining moment of the festival, symbolizing the evolution of Camp Flog Gnaw as a place not only for entertainment, but also for genuine artistic connections.

Drake is booed off the stage (2019)

In 2019, fans at Camp Flog Gnaw enjoyed a special guest appearance on Sunday night's finale and were hoping for a rare appearance from Frank Ocean. Tyler has a spot reserved for special guest performers year after year, and it's unclear who that spot might be for. Shortly after 10 p.m., Tyler, the Creator, took the stage to ramp up the audience's excitement by saying, “Can I bring some friends?” A$AP Rocky performed first, performing two songs, followed by Lil Uzi Vert with two more. Both sets were well received, but whispers of “Frank” still circulated through the crowd. Drake then took the stage and began performing hits like “Going Bad” and “Energy.” Before continuing, he polled the audience and said, “If you guys want to keep going, I'll keep going tonight,” to which the crowd responded with a few cheers but mostly boos and hard no's. Audience reaction was mixed, with some fans holding out hope for Ocean. Chants of “We want Frank!” began to spread among sections of the audience, leading to boos as Drake's extended performance came to an end. With his usual professionalism, Drake addressed the crowd and said, “It was love,” before abruptly exiting the stage. It's a moment that sparked widespread online discussion about fans' expectations.

Tyler's “Ted Talk” Set (2023)

At the 2023 edition of Camp Flog Gnaw, Tyler gave what he humorously called his “Ted Talk,” a mix of music and tongue-in-cheek reflections on his career and personal journey. Tyler took the stage in his usual eccentric manner and jokingly joked about fans wanting new music, telling them, “Do you all want new music?” Oh, and I wanted a dad, but you don't get everything.” That humorous comment set the tone for a lively performance that featured Tyler revisiting fan-favorite hits like “Yonkers” and “Lumberjack.” He later addressed the festival's return after a pandemic break and thanked the fans who have supported Camp Flog Gnaw through thick and thin. The mix of humor, nostalgia and gratitude gave fans a performance that felt personal and unforgettable as Tyler managed to both celebrate his past and honor his growth.