Tyler, the Creator was presented with the Cultural Influence Award at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards and he made sure to thank the figures that opened the doors for young musicians like him.
The CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST artist first began by saying that Playboi Carti’s “R.I.P” line “Bought a crib for my mama off that mumblin’ shit” always brings him to tears — something he confirmed in a tweet in 2018 — and that rap and hip-hop has been an avenue for many people. “This thing that’s a hobby or a pastime or a passion for us, a lot of people in here, that shit kept us out of trouble. And it allowed us to change our family lives and friends’ lives,” he said.
Tyler continued to name the trailblazers in hip-hop, including Q-Tip, André 3000, Chad Hugo, Pharrell, Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and Hype Williams, and expressed his gratitude for “not just opening the doors but talking to young guys” like him. “It’s beautiful and everyone keep thriving, keep doing your shit and… ‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST’ out now,” he closed it out.
Watch Tyler, the Creator’s full acceptance speech above.
Elsewhere in music, Kanye West has earned his first diamond plaque with “Stronger.”
