Out of all the currently active music genres, hip-hop is likely the most competitive. This is evidenced by how much fans in the rap community love to compare artists, songs, and albums, commonly making rankings and lists.
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In an upcoming interview with Rap Radar, though, Tyler, The Creator says this trend in the hip-hop game is toxic. Speaking with the hosts of the podcast Elliott Wilson and Brandon “B. Dot” Miller, the 32-year-old asserted that the folks who pin emcees against each other do it for validation among their rap-loving peers.
“Bro, who gives a fuck,” Tyler said. “You know what annoys me? When people are like, ‘This is my top five…’ and people argue. You got 17-year-olds like, ‘Yeah, dude… Ready to Die (by Notorious B.I.G.) and Enter the Wu-Tang is my Top 10 album ever.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, you just got hair on your dick, stop.’ It’s performative.”
As an alternative to this debate-friendly dichotomy, Tyler instead wishes that fans would be vocal about their favorite music instead of what they feel is an objective and safe list.
“Tell me, what is your favorite shit?” he said. “Because you learn so much from people, you get context… That’s why I fucking hate Rap Twitter because everything’s performative. Everyone is making these lists just to have people engage like, who gives a fuck who the top three is… Tell me your personal top five because y’all could just go in circles.”
To help encourage this change, Tyler proclaims that his favorite band is Jamiroquai, a 1990s and 2000s British jazz/soul act. Although they aren’t too well known, Tyler uses them as an example for music fans to not enjoy art just because other people do.
“I don’t know (anyone) that talks about them and I don’t give a fuck, because I enjoy it in my house and in my car,” he shouted.
Photo by Andy Sheppard/Redferns
