DON'T TAP THE GLASS: A Movement for Movement

By Ruby Jones, Writer and Elijah Brown, Writer | August 27, 2025

DON'T TAP THE GLASS album cover - Photo Courtesy of Tyler, The Creator

"I asked some friends why they don't dance in public and some said because of the fear of being filmed. I thought damn, a natural form of expression and a certain connection they have with music is now a ghost. It made me wonder how much of our human spirit got killed because of the fear of being a meme, all for having a good time... This album was not made for sitting still. Dancing, driving, running any type of movement is recommended to maybe understand the spirit of it. Only at full volume."

— Tyler, the Creator

On July 21, 2025 Tyler, the Creator released his ninth studio album with features from Pharrell Williams, Madison McFerrin, among others. The total run time for the album is 28 minutes and 30 seconds, the artist's second shortest track listing on a studio album.

There are many different reasons for making music. After noticing that people had started dancing less and less, Tyler, the Creator decided to produce “DON’T TAP THE GLASS,” an album focused on bringing back movement.

On July 20, 2025, in Los Angeles, he hosted a 300-person listening party to promote the album. The only rules were: no phones, no cameras, and don’t come if you aren’t going to dance.

We decided to ask students around campus if they could relate to the pressures that phones can bring when it comes to expressing themselves around others.

Carson High School (CHS) Senior Katelyn Calderon said, '’I would say [I relate] quite a lot. I'm the type of person to care about opinions. I don't want to make a fool of myself.'’

We also asked what their thoughts were on Tyler's ideologies and his reason behind making the album.

Justin Sandavol, another CHS senior, had this to say, “I think that’s a really good message. I got that while listening. If it's a passion that we love deeply, we shouldn’t second guess ourselves. Just keep positive.”

Tyler’s idea that dance should be something that is more socially acceptable seems to be a popular belief, even among our own generation. The age of the internet has changed a lot of things, the freedom of expression being among those. Tyler’s goal was to push people out of their comfort zone, and his message has been well received.

Regardless of whether you listen to Tyler, the Creator or not, or whether you get easily embarrassed or not, there is something to learn from this idea.