By Sarah McMahon
Yesterday it was announced that controversial rapper Tyler, The Creator would not be bringing his tour to Australia essentially due to his disgusting songs lyrics, such as this one:
Shut up bitch, suck my dick (Suck my nuts)
You fuckin’ bop, you better swallow it
I got a chain with a fuckin’ platinum plaque on it
Is that a hundred dollar bill? I’ll shit on it
I bought a fuckin’ whale, cause I’m ballin’
Your bitch work for me, she my dick washer
Swag on my dick, 30 thousand million, nigga
-Bitch Suck Dick, Verse 3
Collective Shout has been agitating for Tyler’s exclusion from Australia since his tour here in 2013 – “one of the most intense campaigns we’ve ever run”. Whilst a big win for Collective Shout, this is an even more significant win for women’s rights in Australia. Domestic violence is a serious issue in our country with alarming statistics behind it, for example, 1/3 females have experienced physical violence and 1/5 females have experienced sexual violence in Australia. Popular culture can play a disturbing role in trivialising and normalising social problems such as domestic violence & misogyny. “Tyler, the Girl Hater” is one of these people.
Tyler has been criticized for his graphic depictions of violence against women and his misogynistic lyrics such as those exhibited above.
Further, when questioned about this, Tyler has been far from apologetic. For example, his most recent attacks have been on Collective Shout activist Coralie Alison, and these have resulted in violence, including death threats towards her. Tyler verbally abused a young female Collective Shout activist at a concert in 2013, which was caught on video:
“F*cking bitch, I wish she could hear me call her a bitch, too, f*cking whore.
Yeah, I got a sold-out show right now bitch.
Hey this f*cking song is dedicated to you, you f*cking c*nt.”
A rapper on stage with Tyler said to him: “You really didn’t like her did you Tyler??”
He replied: “No the fuckin whore. This is the second time they’ve tried to get me kicked out of Australia. I’m still in Australia you f*ckin whore”
The victim of his tirade was in the audience. You can see some of his other hideous responses here.
Unfortunately the vital activism that organisations such as Collective Shout undertake can be mistaken as censorship- if you are also confused about this, you may be interested in reading Collective Shout’s response to such allegations.
However for those of us who appreciate the significance of this milestone, we can simply be happy that Tyler, the Girl Hater is not allowed into Australia- and let’s hope the Australian Government continues to act responsibly on matters such as this in the future.