Tyler the Creator honored by MTV VMAs: GLAAD cries foul over rappers’ anti-gay lyrics
“I hate gays, gangbangers and fucking jerkers
Unless it’s gay gangbangers that’s fucking jerkers
Whoa yo, yo.. no homo, I’m not gay, faggot.”
Just a short sample of the explicit and repulsive lyrics found on the album Goblin by a rapper named Tyler the Creator. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation took issue with MTV for nominating the young and increasingly popular musician as “Best New Artist.” He won the Video Music Award on Sunday, reportedly by an audience vote.
In a blog entry on GLAAD’s site, Tyler (Okonma) is referred to as a writer of “some of the most violently anti-gay and misogynistic music currently enjoying mainstream recognition.” Herndon Graddick of GLAAD cautioned “viewers and potential sponsors” from supporting the decision. Graddick said about Tyler’s award:
“Rather than providing simply a larger platform, MTV and other networks should educate viewers about why anti-gay and misogynistic language has no place in the music industry today.”
Other VMA award winners included numerous artists who have proven to be supportive of LGBT rights and visibility — Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Katy Perry among them.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
