Tyler was quoted in a tweet saying: “My big brother finally fucking did that. He has also been was one of the few male rappers to openly support gay singer Frank Ocean and let the wider community know he supported his honesty in coming out. IGOR is an album for mature-minded individuals. This narrative is not hidden in metaphors and symbolism. The album’s narrative is a love triangle between Tyler, a woman and another man. From the lyrical content, iconic music videos to overall message. IGOR, his Grammy-winning album, has been considered a LGBTQI themed hip hop classic since its release last year. In I Ain’t Got Time! he raps: “Next line will have ’em like ‘Whoa’ / I been kissing white boys since 2004.” The lyrics are a metaphor for coming out of the closet. Tyler has not openly come out as gay, however he began to openly discuss his sexuality in his 2017 album Flower Boy, specifically with the song Garden Shed, the lyrics of which go: “Garden shed, garden shed, garden shed, garden shed/For the garden/That is where I was hidin’/That was real love I was inAin’t no reason to pretend.” Specifically about his sexuality and his sexual experiences. He doesn’t care because he knows me.”īut, in recent years Tyler has shown a more open and honest side. Tyler was quoted on The Arsenio Hall Show seven years ago trying to explain his over-use of the word: “Frank Ocean is gay and I use that word all the time. Lyrics like this have made the wider LGBTQI community wary of him. He has used the word ‘faggot’ remorselessly (A total of 213 times on Goblin, his first solo album). Fairies has long been a derogatory term used to describe homosexual men. Nevertheless, there is no justifying lyrics such as, “Peter Pan in my youth, fucking fairies”. Tyler entered the public eye as a rapper aged 16 in 2007, with all the pressure of fitting into a hyper-masculine field. Only time will tell if the positive actions Tyler makes can outweigh the negative actions of his past.” “Maybe now with Tyler’s support those hip hop fans will become more open-minded. “Tyler’s homophobic fans were validated by his homophobic lyrics and this emboldened their hateful actions towards the queer community. Jade Parker, Deputy Editor at Chattr, a Millennial news site, who identifies as an inter-sectional feminist as well as a pansexual, told Hatch: “Tyler, the Creator’s recent support of the queer community is commendable considering his background.”īut, she added: “As a member of the community though I still find it difficult to accept him as an ally as his past actions brought a lot of hurt and even violence into the community. So much so that he was banned from Australia, New Zealand and the UK for his lyricism that was often homophobic and misogynistic. Regardless of his critical praise and newfound openness about his sexuality, Tyler has generated controversy for his lyrical content over the years. The impact of seeing a major celebrity be open about their gender/sexuality is in some cases the driving force some individuals need to feel accepted within their own relationship circles. However in the social media age it has become far more common.
She added: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”Īt twenty10, which supports 12- to 25-year-olds who require support with housing, mental health, counselling and social support, it’s understood that support targeted at the right demographic by celebrity role models can be hugely beneficial.Ĭelebrities being open about the diversity in their gender/sexuality is not a new phenomena. “It is a positive thing when celebrities or people with big platforms use their platform to relay positive messages for those who are gender/sexually diverse,” she told Hatch. Not so says Jain Moralee, co-executive director at twenty10, a support network for the LGBTQI community. I TRIED TO COME OUT THE DAMN CLOSET LIKE FOUR DAYS AGO AND NO ONE CARED HAHAHHAHAHA- Tyler, The Creator April 13, 2015Īre his past utterances more than the LGBTQI community can forgive though?