It might be time to revisit the 213 uses of the word “faggot” on Tyler, the Creator’s 2011 debut album Goblin. The controversial rapper, whose hobbies include inciting riots at his shows and writing the theme song for Bill Nye’s Netflix show, just had his new album leak online and it’s setting fire to the Internet for one big reason—he might be coming out as gay on it.
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The news may sound surprising given the amount of times he’s been called "homophobic," but the co-founder of Odd Future seems to be hinting at something in the lyrics of Scum Fuck Flower Boy. Only three days have passed since he released the track list, cover art, and two bangers— “Who Dat Boy,” featuring A$AP Rocky, and “911 / Mr. Lonely,” featuring Frank Ocean—but it’s already made its way across the web and fans have wasted no time picking it apart line-by-line.
Tucked between guest vocals by everyone from Estelle and Jaden Smith to Schoolboy Q and Lil Wayne, Tyler raps about “kissing white boys since 2004” and falling in love. “That was real love I was in, ain’t no reason to pretend,” he spits on the track, “Garden Shed.” He continues, “All my friends was lost. They couldn’t read the signs. I didn’t want to talk. I tell ’em my location and they ain’t want to walk.” This isn’t the first time that Tyler has referenced his sexuality. Way back in 2015, he tweeted about trying to come out of the closet.
I TRIED TO COME OUT THE DAMN CLOSET LIKE FOUR DAYS AGO AND NO ONE CARED HAHAHHAHAHA
— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) April 13, 2015
Of course, Tyler is also notorious for screwing around and courting controversy, so this could all be an elaborate joke. But until he makes an official statement (if he ever does), enjoy Twitter’s best reactions and watch the absurd video for “Who Dat Boy,” featuring A$AP Rocky, below.
the homophobes when they realize Tyler the creator is gay and they've been feelin him for years pic.twitter.com/M7GJN4HoHC
— Frank (@youriefrank) July 10, 2017
Tyler the Creator Gay and he doesn't like black men wow I'm literally shaking pic.twitter.com/31X1JxHjSJ
— Wenger In (@BasedChasen) July 10, 2017
tyler, the creator in 2011: uses word 'faggot' 213 times on debut album
tyler, the creator in 2017: comes out as gay#characterdevelopment— Killa Cam (@CamonDash) July 10, 2017