Tyler, The Creator’s Manager Responds To Racist Mountain Dew Spot

Odd Future’s longtime manager Christian Clancy has responded to the controversy surrounding OFWGKTA’s frontman Tyler, the Creator and his Mountain Dew commercial that many perceived to be racist. Clancy’s main argument is that Tyler’s “delivery may not be for everyone.”

Last week emotions ran rampant when Mountain Dew aired a commercial online with a voice over from Tyler, depicted as Felicia the Goat. In the commercial “Felicia” stands within an all-black (various ancillary members of Odd Future) prison lineup as a battered elderly woman is shaken up by the goat’s mind control as she is told to pick an assailant. The investigator even attempts to coax her by suggesting it is the one with the “du-rag.” Naturally people weren’t pleased, and the commercial was pulled from the internet.

“His voice is nonetheless important to the conversation since his demographic understands what he ultimately stands for,” Clancy expressed in a message posted on his Tumblr page.

Clancy added that Tyler’s intent wasn’t to offend anyone, and that this commercial is rather an extension of an entire storyline that featured Tyler’s Felicia The Goat character. While Tyler’s manager emphasized both his and Tyler’s sincerity in not intending to come across as racist, he ended by stating that he will stick by Tyler:

“Again we apologize if this was taken out of context and would never trivialize racism,” he says, “especially now in America where voting and civil rights are being challenged at the highest level. I can however stand firmly by someone I have believed in since we met only because I know him and i know all of this was never his intent.”

Yesterday, Tyler, the Creator tweeted, “I Would Love To Have A Convo With @drboycewatkins1.”

Dr. Boyce Watkins was vocal about his displeasure with the Mountain Dew commercial, which ultimately helped lead to the spot being pulled and the brand issued an apology yesterday. “Hey guys – made a big mistake we’ve removed the offensive video from all our channels. #fail,” read the message on Mountain Dew’s official Twitter page.

Watch a video of all the Mountain Dew commercials created by Tyler, including the allegedly racist one, below. Read Clancy’s full letter on the next page.

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Photo: Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew controversy

It was never Tylers intention to offend however offense is personal and valid to anyone who is offended. Out of respect to those that were offended the ad was taken down. For those who know and respect Tyler he is known for pushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes thru humor. This is someone who grew up on David Chappelle. This situation is layered with context and is a discussion that Tyler would love to address in the right forum as he does have a point of view. As someone who hasn’t had the experience of being discriminated against i choose to respect the opinion of those who have.. what I can speak to is Tyler who represents much more than the current narrative this story suggests. Contrary to what many may discern from this Tyler is the embodiment of not judging others, his delivery may not be for everyone (which is true for anyone who pushes boundaries) but his voice is nonetheless impt to the conversation since his demographic understands what he ultimately stands for and sees the irony of it all. Context may or not help those who are offended and I wholly respect that but for those who are interested I can offer the following and leave the rest to Tyler. 1. This spot was part of an overall admittedly absurd storyline about a crazy goat who becomes obsessed with Mountain Dew 2. The lady in front of the lineup is the waitress from the first spot. 3. The lineup consists of Tylers friends and odd future members who were available that day. (LBoy, Leftbrain, Garret from Trash Talk and Errol) 4. He absolutely never intended to spark a controversy about race. it was simply an again admittedly absurd story that was never meant to be taken seriously. Again we apologize if this was taken out of context and would never trivialize racism, especially now in America where voting and civil rights are being challenged at the highest level. I can however stand firmly by someone I have believed in since we met only because I know him and i know all of this was never his intent.