Tyler, the Creator talks being banned from the UK: “This is actually wrong, from a moral standpoint”

Tyler, the Creator has spoken for the first time about being banned from visiting the UK for 3-5 years.

Last week, Tyler cancelled shows at Reading & Leeds after a ruling from the Home Office, which claimed his lyrics could spread homophobia and violence. Speaking to The Guardian, the rapper reveals that the ruling had been made when he was at the UK border. “Monday was one of the shittiest days I’ve ever had. I was in a detention room; I felt like a criminal,” he says, describing a scene where a Border Force officer showed him lyrics to his own songs. “I never perform those songs,” he says.

“The thing that irks me about it is that the paper saying I am denied entry to the UK clearly states that these songs were written from [the perspective of] an alter ego – which means they obviously did some research on these songs that they’re detaining me for. So the argument is right there! This song is written from an alter ego – I’m not like this!,” he tells Julianne Escobedo Shepherd.

There is no statutory right of appeal for the decision, says Tyler, and he claims the ruling will set a worrying precedent: “This is only gonna open a door for other people to get banned. And then they’re gonna go after video games, and then they’re gonna go after movies, and we’re gonna live in such a sensitive world.”

Read the full interview here.