Tyler, The Creator Slams Ian for Disrespecting Hip-Hop, Ian's Manager Bu Thiam Responds
In a recent conversation with Maverick Carter on the SpringHill platform, Tyler, The Creator expressed his frustration with a viral white rapper who he believes is disrespecting hip-hop culture.
Though Tyler didn't explicitly name the artist, many fans and industry insiders speculated that he was referring to the rising rapper Ian.
Tyler, The Creator, a prominent figure in the rap scene and founder of Odd Future, voiced his concerns about the rapper's approach to hip-hop.
He described the artist as a "regular Caucasian man" who appears to be mocking prominent Southern rap figures like Future and Gucci Mane.
Tyler’s frustration stemmed from what he perceives as a lack of genuine appreciation for the culture.
“There’s this kid right now, this white kid, regular Caucasian man, and he’s like mocking Future and Gucci Mane, like rap music. And people are like, ‘This shit hard!'”
Tyler went on to compare this situation with artists like Mac Miller and Eminem, who, despite being white, showed a deep respect and genuine love for hip-hop.
“This is like weird and I’m looking at it and something about it don’t even sit well with me, in comparison to someone like a Mac Miller or Eminem who didn’t seem like they were mocking it; they had a genuine love for it.”
Tyler, The Creator Calls Out Ian for Hip-Hop Disrespect, Bu Thiam Fires Back:
While Tyler did not directly mention Ian by name, the description he gave left little room for doubt.Ian’s manager (Bu, Akon’s brother) has responded to Tyler The Creator’s recent interview with Mav Carter where he says seemingly calls his artist Ian for cultural appropriation. pic.twitter.com/xzdp2wMseU
— PTC (@PorkTheCore) August 15, 2024
Ian, who has gained popularity for his unconventional appearance and Southern trap-inspired rap style, has been a polarizing figure in the industry.
His critics argue that his style comes across as a caricature of hip-hop culture rather than a sincere contribution.
Bu Thiam, the Executive Vice President at Columbia Records and brother of Akon, responded to Tyler’s remarks, defending his artist. In an Instagram Story, Thiam directly addressed Tyler, saying:
“Yo @feliciathegoat, i signed lan & im from Atlanta. He sounds nothing like Gucci or future lol. It’s called influence. But i never thought I’d see the day where you become old & hate on the youth lol.”
Thiam’s response highlights the generational divide in hip-hop, with established artists like Tyler grappling with the changing dynamics of the genre.
Whether Tyler's concerns are warranted or simply a reflection of his deep passion for hip-hop, the conversation has sparked significant debate within the community.
As the dialogue around authenticity and respect in hip-hop continues, it’s clear that Tyler, The Creator’s words have struck a chord, prompting further reflection on what it means to truly respect the culture.