Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Tyler, the Creator

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. Rising to prominence in the late 2000s, he became known as the leader and co-founder of the alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future. He contributed to the group as a rapper, producer, director, and actor, producing albums for its members and appearing in their sketch comedy show, Loiter Squad.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2009: Grounds for UK Ban

In 2009, Tyler, the Creator released his album 'Bastard'. Lyrics from this album were cited as the reason for a ban from the UK by then-Home Secretary Theresa May.

2010: Comments Directed Towards Selena Gomez

From 2010, Tyler, the Creator made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter.

December 22, 2011: Arrest for Vandalism at The Roxy

On December 22, 2011, Tyler, the Creator was arrested on suspicion of vandalism after allegedly destroying equipment during a show at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. A video depicted him throwing a microphone at a sound engineer and he subsequently paid $8,000 in damages.

2011: Comments Directed Towards Selena Gomez

In 2011, Tyler, the Creator made a series of sexually explicit comments directed towards Selena Gomez over Twitter.

2011: "Yonkers" Music Video Controversy

In 2011, the music video for Tyler, the Creator's song "Yonkers," which featured him eating a cockroach and committing suicide, attracted controversy in the media. However, Kanye West posted the video on his Twitter account, calling it "the video of 2011".

2013: Feud With Selena Gomez

In 2013, Tyler, the Creator stated that he and Selena Gomez were not on good terms, explaining that she didn't like him because he was friends with Justin Bieber.

March 15, 2014: Arrest for Inciting a Riot

On March 15, 2014, Tyler, the Creator was arrested in Austin, Texas, for inciting a riot at his South by Southwest performance after allegedly telling fans to push past security guards. The charges were later dropped.

2014: Tyler criticized Shady XV.

In 2014, Tyler, the Creator, was critical of Eminem's 'Shady XV' album which led to Eminem dissing him on his 2018 single "Fall".

2018: Eminem's Diss in "Fall"

In 2018, Eminem's single "Fall" referred to Tyler, the Creator with a derogatory term and criticized him for exploring sexuality in his music for attention. Eminem also attacked Tyler for being critical of his single "Walk On Water" and album Shady XV released in 2014.

June 2019: DJ Khaled Criticizes Igor

In June 2019, after Tyler, the Creator's album Igor, debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200, surpassing DJ Khaled's album Father of Asahd, DJ Khaled posted a video on Instagram criticizing Tyler's music. He emphasized the importance of albums that are widely played and heard, contrasting it with "mysterious shit you never hear the songs". DJ Khaled later deleted the video.

January 26, 2020: Grammy Win for Igor

On January 26, 2020, Tyler, the Creator won his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for 'Igor'. However, he expressed mixed feelings about the categorization of his music as rap, viewing it as a "backhanded compliment" due to genre-bending elements.

2020: Brit Awards Speech and Theresa May

In 2020, after winning International Male Solo Artist at the Brit Awards, Tyler, the Creator referenced his ban from the UK and thanked Theresa May, the former Home Secretary who had banned him, stating he knew she was at home pissed off.

August 6, 2021: Tyler, the Creator Addresses DJ Khaled Controversy

On August 6, 2021, Tyler, the Creator discussed the DJ Khaled controversy on Hot 97. He stated he enjoyed "just watching a man die inside because the weirdo is winning", and claimed that DJ Khaled had to deal with the fact that his "whole identity is being number one".

2021: Public Apology

In 2021, Tyler, the Creator made a public apology in his song "Manifesto" in his album Call Me If You Get Lost.

2022: Grammy Win and "Mysterious Music" Reference

In 2022, after winning Best Rap Album at the Grammy Awards for Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, the Creator made multiple references to "mysterious music" on Twitter, writing "MYSTERIOUS MUSIC! HA!", seemingly in reference to DJ Khaled's earlier criticism.