Tyler, The Creator banned from UK over homophobic lyrics
By Will Stroude
US rapper and producer Tyler, The Creator has been banned from entering the UK over his use of homophobic lyrics.
The 24-year-old – real name Tyler Okonma – cancelled four planned concerts due to “unforseen circumstances” yesterday (August 26), before claiming on Twitter that he has been banned from entering the country for “three to five years” because of anti-gay lyrics he wrote back in 2009.
After revealing that he would not be playing at shows including this weekend’s Reading and Leeds Festival, the LA-based rapper – who has scored three UK Top 40 albums over the last four years – explained the reason for his absence from UK shores to his followers.
DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES I WONT BE PLAYING READING, LEEDS, BELFEST AND OTHER SHOWS IN THE UK. SUCKS AND IM SORRY. I LOVE YOU, SAVE THE HORSES -T
— T (@tylerthecreator) August 24, 2015
BASED ON LYRICS FROM 2009 I AM NOT ALLOWED IN THE UK FOR 3-5 YEARS ( although i was there 8 weeks ago) THAT IS WHY THE SHOWS WERE CANCELLED.
— T (@tylerthecreator) August 26, 2015
*listens to last three releases in confusion*
— T (@tylerthecreator) August 26, 2015
Tyler’s manager Christian Clancy reacted the news in a Tumblr post, saying: “Tyler has been banned from entering the UK for somewhere between three to five years per a letter from the secretary of state for the home department of the United Kingdom.
“The letter specifically cites lyrics he wrote six to seven years ago for his albums Bastard and Goblin – the type of lyrics he hasn’t written since…
“Highlights from the letter include that his work encourages violence and intolerance of homosexuality and fosters hatred with views that seek to provoke others to terrorist acts.”
Home Office spokesperson told BBC Newsbeat: “Coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values.
“The Home Secretary has the power to exclude an individual if she considers that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good or if their exclusion is justified on public policy grounds.”
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