Tyler, the Creator dedicated his BRIT Award to Theresa May who once banned him from entering the UK: 'I know she's at home p----- off'
- Tyler, the Creator dedicated his BRIT Award win to former British prime minister Theresa May on Tuesday night.
- After thanking his fans, "British funk" and all the "UK boys who keep this place fun for me at night," the American rapper addressed his controversial ban from the United Kingdom five years ago.
- "I want to give a special shout out to someone who I hold dear to my heart, who made it why I couldn't come to this country five years ago. I know she's at home pissed off, thank you Theresa May," Tyler, the Creator said.
- Back in 2015, May — who was UK Home Secretary at the time — barred the rapper from entering the UK due to the nature of his lyrics.
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Tyler, the Creator dedicated his BRIT Award win to her on Tuesday night.
The rapper, who won best international male solo artist, used the opportunity to give a "special shoutout" to the former British prime minister.
Five years ago, May — who was the UK Home Secretary at the time — banned the American rapper from entering the United Kingdom due to his controversial lyrics.
"I want to give a special shout out to someone who I hold dear to my heart, who made it why I couldn't come to this country five years ago," Tyler, the Creator said.
"I know she's at home pissed off, thank you Theresa May," Tyler, the Creator said while raising his trophy in the air.
The Odd Future co-founder had to cancel four tour dates including appearances at the popular British Reading/Leeds Festival back in 2015.
After Tyler, the Creator's travel ban was announced in 2015, the rapper explained to fans on Twitter why he had to cancel his UK tour.
BASED ON LYRICS FROM 2009 I AM NOT ALLOWED IN THE UK FOR 3-5 YEARS ( although i was there 8 weeks ago) THAT IS WHY THE SHOWS WERE CANCELLED.
— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) August 26, 2015
*listens to last three releases in confusion*
— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) August 26, 2015
The rapper's manager Christian Clancy also provided more details on Tumblr, saying that Tyler, the Creator received a letter from the Home Office saying he'd been banned from entering the country for three to five years.
"The letter specifically cites lyrics he wrote 6-7 years ago for his albums bastard and goblin – the type of lyrics he hasn't written since … highlights from the letter include that his work 'encourages violence and intolerance of homosexuality' and 'fosters hatred with views thats seek to provoke others to terrorist acts," Clancy wrote.
A UK Home Office spokesperson said at the time that May had "the power to exclude an individual if she considers that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good or if their exclusion is justified on public policy grounds."
The 28-year-old's ban was lifted last year with the rapper set to make his first return to UK stages this June.
After the star's BRIT Award win was announced, he hugged Harry Styles on the way up to the stage and then thanked his fans, "British funk from the 80s, which I try to copy," and also all the "UK boys who keep this place fun for me at night."
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