Tyler, The Creator Defends Hip-Hop in Latest Interview, Shades Industry Imitators

Tyler, The Creator has never been one to bite his tongue, and in his latest interview with Nardwuar, he’s once again making waves with his outspoken opinions. The rapper, known for his direct approach and controversial subject matter, has always been a force in the hip-hop world. But as an acclaimed figure and elder statesman of the genre, Tyler’s focus has shifted from his early days of trolling to defending hip-hop against what he sees as a growing wave of inauthenticity.

“I am rap. I am hip-hop,” Tyler asserted with unwavering confidence. “That’s all I know. It’s in the house.” This statement comes as a reflection of his deep-rooted connection to the genre, one that has propelled him to the upper echelons of hip-hop and beyond. His shift toward defending the culture makes sense, as Tyler’s music and persona have always been about pushing boundaries while staying true to himself.

In the interview, Tyler took aim at those he believes are taking advantage of hip-hop without understanding its roots. “Some of these folks look at this like a quick money-getting thing,” he remarked, calling out what he sees as a lack of authenticity in certain corners of the industry. Tyler emphasized that real rappers don’t just mimic trends; they create them. “We the coolest ever, and all these motherf*ckers wanna copy us,” he said, underscoring the distinction between true artistry and superficial emulation.

Tyler’s frustration is rooted in what he perceives as a growing trend of inauthenticity within the genre. He criticized those who mimic the culture without truly embracing it. “Some n**gas be mimicking and mocking ’cause they ain’t got the juice,” he said. “They don’t really believe it [in their heart].” He went on to point out that while some artists find success by imitating others, fans can always tell when the energy is off. “You can see it, man,” Tyler asserted. “They look at it as a commodity, just to criticize it. Y’all ain’t grow up the same.”

Though Tyler didn’t name names in this interview, his comments were reminiscent of his past critiques. In a previous interview on SpringHill, Tyler called out a specific artist—Ian—for what he perceived as mocking hip-hop culture, particularly Black artists. “There’s this kid right now, this white kid, regular Caucasian man, and he’s like mocking Future and Gucci Mane, like rap music… It’s not even like satire, it’s like, ‘I’m just joking, I’m just mocking it,’” Tyler said, implying that Ian’s rise to fame came from parodying and belittling the genre.

The tension between Tyler and Ian sparked a back-and-forth, with Ian firing back in a Lyrical Lemonade freestyle. However, Tyler’s stance on authenticity remains clear: he believes the difference between real artistry and a quick cash grab is something that can be spotted by true fans of the culture.

Tyler’s words are a reminder of his ongoing role as both a creator and a protector of hip-hop. Over the years, he’s evolved from a provocative figure into someone who is deeply invested in the integrity of the genre, ready to call out anyone he feels is diminishing its worth. As hip-hop continues to grow and evolve, Tyler, The Creator is making sure his voice is heard when it comes to preserving the authenticity of the culture that raised him.