Public opinion and media debates around Tyler, the Creator—discover key moments of controversy.
Tyler, the Creator, born Tyler Gregory Okonma, is an influential American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer, pivotal in the alternative hip-hop scene of the 2010s. He gained prominence in the late 2000s as the leader and co-founder of the music collective Odd Future, contributing as a rapper, producer, director, and actor. He produced studio albums for its members and starred in the group's sketch comedy show, Loiter Squad.
2009: Lyrics cited for UK Ban
In 2009, Tyler, the Creator's lyrics were later used as justification for a ban on his entering the United Kingdom.
Share
2010: Sexually Explicit Comments Directed Towards Selena Gomez
From 2010 to 2011 he made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter
Share
December 22, 2011: Tyler, the Creator Arrested for Vandalism
On December 22, 2011, Tyler, the Creator was arrested on suspicion of vandalism after allegedly destroying equipment at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood and later paid $8,000 in damages.
Share
2011: Sexually Explicit Comments Directed Towards Selena Gomez
From 2010 to 2011 he made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter
Share
2011: "Yonkers" Video Attracts Controversy
In 2011, Tyler, the Creator's music video for "Yonkers," featuring him eating a cockroach and committing suicide, attracted controversy and was shared by Kanye West.
Share
2013: Comments about Selena Gomez
In a 2013 interview he stated that he and Selena were not on good terms explaining, "We don't really get along. She don't like me. We don't like each other. Because I'm kicking it with Justin — like that's my homeboy. She always be mean muggin' me. Like why are you hating on me?"
Share
March 15, 2014: Tyler, the Creator Arrested for Inciting Riot at SXSW
On March 15, 2014, Tyler, the Creator was arrested in Austin, Texas, for inciting a riot at his South by Southwest performance, though the charges were later dropped.
Share
2014: Eminem Attacks Okonma for being critical of Shady XV
On August 31, 2018, Eminem's single "Fall" Eminem also attacked Okonma for being critical of his single "Walk On Water" and Shady XV (2014).
Share
April 11, 2015: Coachella Performance and Criticism of VIP Audience
On April 11, 2015, Tyler, the Creator began his Cherry Bomb World Tour at Coachella Festival and criticized VIP members in the audience for their lack of enthusiasm.
Share
August 26, 2015: Tyler Banned from the UK
On August 26, 2015, Tyler, the Creator revealed that he had been banned from visiting the United Kingdom for three to five years due to lyrics dating back to 2009.
Share
August 31, 2018: Eminem's "Fall" Calls Out Tyler, the Creator
On August 31, 2018, Eminem's single "Fall" called Tyler, the Creator a "faggot", which led to backlash and Eminem later expressing regret.
Share
June 2019: DJ Khaled Criticizes Tyler, the Creator's Music
In June 2019, after Igor topped the Billboard 200, DJ Khaled criticized Tyler, the Creator's music in a since-deleted Instagram video.
Share
January 26, 2020: Tyler, the Creator Wins Grammy for Best Rap Album
On January 26, 2020, Tyler, the Creator won the Grammy for Best Rap Album for "Igor" at the 62nd Grammy Awards. He expressed gratitude but noted his discomfort with his genre-bending music being categorized as rap, viewing the "urban" label as a dismissive term.
Share
August 6, 2021: Tyler, the Creator Responds to DJ Khaled Controversy
On August 6, 2021, Tyler, the Creator discussed the DJ Khaled controversy on Hot 97, expressing satisfaction at Khaled's reaction.
Share
2021: Public Apology in Manifesto
In 2021, he made the public apology in his song "Manifesto" in his studio album Call Me If You Get Lost.
Share
2022: Tyler, the Creator References "Mysterious Music" After Grammy Win
After winning Best Rap Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards, Tyler, the Creator made multiple references to "mysterious music" on Twitter, alluding to DJ Khaled's criticism.
Share