Tyler, the Creator banned from UK: 'I'm being treated like a terrorist,' rapper claims

Home Office rejected his application on the grounds that his presence in the UK would not be conduicive to the public good

Tyler, The Creator (Getty)

Tyler, the Creator has claimed he is being treated “like a terrorist” after being denied entry to the UK over song lyrics he penned as his alter-ego.

The rapper, real name Tyler Gregory Okonma, was prevented from entering Britain on 26 August for the next three to five years after the Home Office claimed his presence would “not be conducive to the public good”.

It went on to say the Okonma “may foster hatred, which might lead to intercommunity violence in the UK” through his statements and music - charges that the rapper utterly rejects.

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 (@fucktyler) August 26, 2015

*listens to last three releases in confusion*

— Tyler, The Creator (@fucktyler) August 26, 2015

“I’m getting treated like a terrorist,” he told the Guardian. He told the newspaper that the rejection was “based on things I made when I was super-young, when no one was listening.”

The 24-year-old artist, who released his first controversial album Goblin in 2011, added that the lyrics in question were acknowledged by the border force to have been written in the perspective of “an alter ego” in 2009.

“So the argument is right there! This song is written from an alter ego – I’m not like this! You could watch any interview and see my personality, see the guy I am. I wouldn’t hurt a fly,” he claimed.

"Okonma" has been criticised before for his lyrics’ graphic depiction of violence against women, as well as accusations of homophobia. The singer has always denied these suggestions.

Although the Home Office declined to comment on individual cases, a spokesperson said in a statement that "coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values."