Tyler, The Creator

I have been meaning to make a post about this for a while and feel that it's finally time, what with all the recent controversy from Tegan and Sara/whoever.

Since the very first time I was introduced to Tyler, I have been utterly captivated. He seemed like an energetic kid full of personality and comedic intelligence. Not only was he, as a person, different than most, but also something completely different in terms of the rap industry. When friends showed me Odd Future videos on Youtube, I was speechless (in an apathetic way) and more or less wrote them off as another small time rap group. Months passed until the video 'Yonkers' went viral. I recall watching it maybe three or four times a day for a week straight. It was then I realized how talented this 20 year old actually is. Some lyrics from his song 'Yonkers':

Jesus called, he said he's sick of the disses
I told him to quit bitching and this isn't a fucking hotline
For a fucking shrink, sheesh I already got mine
And he's not fucking working, I think I'm wasting my damn time.

There is no doubt that this guy is talented, possibly the most talented new rap artist to come onto the scene in quite some time; it is very refreshing that he is not rapping about getting money and sleeping with "hoes", or whatever else you hear on the radio nowadays. Although he does have some extremely racy lyrics, such as:

"I'm fucking Goldilocks up in the forest
In the three bear house eating their muthafuckin' porridge
I tell her it's my house, give her a tour
In my basement, and keep that bitch locked up in the storage
Rape her and record it, then edit it with more shit" -'French! Featuring Hodgy Beats'

"I want to tie her body up and throw her in my basement
Keep her there, so nobody can wonder where her face went
(Tyler, what you doing?) Shut the fuck up, you going to fucking love me bitch
Or I'm a fucking put this gun in your fucking head" -'Sarah'

and of course there's the song title that everyone has been getting in a tizzy over, 'Bitch Suck Dick.'

Keep in mind that when Tyler says these things, that it's just a song and he is not serious whatsoever. That's no excuse for the things he does say, but you simply do not have to listen if it bothers you so much. It's really that simple. It's not his fault if young men misinterpret that and go out disrespecting women, it's theirs and they should face the consequences (need I remind you of Columbine and Marilyn Manson?) Those two shooters still would have killed others, regardless of what music they listened to and no blame should have been placed on Manson for simply making the music he wanted to.

None of these lyrics bother me personally, (but I will oblige that I do cringe at the use of "bitch" once in a while) because I am able to keep in mind that Odd Futue and Tyler are not serious and that they are not out there raping or being violent against women. The use of the words "faggot" and "homo" does not mean that they hate homosexuals either. Although Tyler did say he used to word to describe something that is stupid, it is at least somewhat better than being homophobic. If anyone has an issue with their lyrics as a whole, instead of complaining about them specifically, why doesn't everyone just complain about N.W.A. and the past groups that have paved the way for this kind of music?

The goal of this music and of this group is to be controversial and get a rise out of America and the world, which they have obviously done. Eminem 90s went for shock value in the 90s as well so the situation is no different, both do what they want and have fun with their craft.

"I'm not a fucking role model (I know this)
I'm a 19 year old fucking emotional coaster with pipe dreams
So Kanye tweeted tellin people, hes bumpin all of my shit
these motherfuckers think I'm supposed to live up to something?"
 

Tyler knows what he is doing, he is not a dumb, mindless individual. He's not trying to impress anyone or make kid-friendly rap (but what defines a "kid" these days anyways?) Tyler mentions that you don't have to listen to his music, and I agree wholeheartedly. Don't think differently of someone who enjoys it and don't look down on them for doing so. I know what type of person I am and  am not sexist/homophobic/[trying not to be] ableist/whatever-ist but I still enjoy this music nonetheless. It's fun. It's interesting. It's different than most other rap/hip hop out currently and that's what I appreciate most.