Tegan and Sara Slam Odd Future 'Bully' Tyler, The Creator Over Offensive Lyrics

Tegan and Sara's Sara Quin posted a lengthy message on the band's site May 13 addressing offensive lyrics by Odd Future's ringleader Tyler, The Creator found on his new 'Goblin' album. She also blasted the lack of response from fellow artists and the media regarding the content, noting that her outrage comes not just from being "both a girl and a lesbian" (as is Odd Future's DJ and engineer Syd tha Kid) but because she's, y'know, a human being.

"When will misogynistic and homophobic ranting and raving result in meaningful repercussions in the entertainment industry?" Quin wrote. "When will they be treated with the same seriousness as racist and anti-Semitic offenses? While an artists who can barely get a sentence fragment out without using homophobic slurs is celebrated on the cover of every magazine, blog and newspaper, I'm disheartened that any self-respecting human being could stand in support with a message so vile."

"In any other industry would I be expected to tolerate, overlook and find deeper meaning in this kid's sickening rhetoric?" Quin continued. "Why should I care about this music or its 'brilliance' when the message is so repulsive and irresponsible?"

After stating that nobody else was speaking up regarding the issue, Quin later asked if other popular artists or bands had a released an album like 'Goblin' with "lyrics littered with rape fantasies and slurs, would they be labelled hate mongers?"

"I realize I could ask that question of DOZENS of other artists, but is Tyler exempt because people are afraid of the backlash? The inevitable claim that detractors are being racist, or the brush-off that not 'getting it' would indicate that you're 'old' (or a faggot)? Because, the more I think about it, the more I think people don't actually want to go up this particular bully because he's popular? Who sticks up for women and gay people now? It seems entirely uncool to do so in the indie rock world, and I'll argue that point with ANYONE."

Quin also said that while every genre of music has its share of controversy or "offensive characters," she felt the need to speak out "because in this case I don't think race or class has anything to do with his hateful message but has EVERYTHING to do with why everyone refuses to admonish him for that message."

Tyler, The Creator responded via Twitter to Quin's post on May 15 prior to an Odd Future (or OFWGKTA) show at Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre with the following: "If Tegan and Sara need some hard dick, hit me up!"

Quin concludes the letter by stating that while she enters this topic with "great hesitation and hand wringing" she hoped "that someone reading this might be inspired to speak out."

"At the very least, I will know that my voice is on record."

UPDATE:

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has commended Quin for going "on record," too. As reported by AllHipHop, GLAAD urged Tyler, The Creator to be more aware of such hurtful and inflammatory comments.

"Tyler has said in interviews that he is not homophobic, yet his Twitter feed and rhymes are rampant with anti-gay slurs and references," wrote GLAAD. "His defense that 'people take things too seriously' or that he's 'just a kid' is inexcusable. Using hateful language, regardless of the context, is unacceptable and in fact, very serious. Tyler's attempts to be provocative as well as his indifference towards the consequences of his actions are irresponsible. In an earlier statement issued about rapper Lil B, GLAAD stated that '...words matter. Slurs have the power to fuel intolerance.'"

Watch Tyler, The Creator's Video for 'Yonkers'