Tyler, the Creator Explains Why Odd Future Once Turned Down a Record Deal From JAY-Z
The artist revealed on the Gangsta Grillz podcast that a taco dinner at Hov’s Los Angeles home led to him declining the offer to protect his creative control.
Summary
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Tyler, the Creator recently shared that his collective, Odd Future, once turned down a Roc Nation record deal from JAY-Z
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Speaking on DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz podcast, Tyler detailed a meeting at Jay-Z’s Los Angeles home where the group was offered a contract
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Driven by an uncompromising need for creative control, Tyler declined the offer, though the two artists remain close friends today
Before Odd Future fully reshaped alternative hip-hop, the collective had the opportunity to align with a massive music empire. In a recent appearance on DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz podcast, Tyler, the Creator revealed that he and his cohorts were courted by JAY-Z for a potential Roc Nation record deal. Tyler ultimately decided to pass on the offer to ensure total autonomy over their creative output.
The pivotal meeting took place at one of Jay-Z’s Los Angeles properties. “[JAY-Z] invited us to one of his LA homes and we just ate tacos,” Tyler explained. “We ate some tacos and he wanted to sign us. I was like ‘Man you’re cool, but no’”.
Walking away from the mogul and other interested industry heavyweights came down to Tyler’s unwavering commitment to his own vision. “Him, Puff — a lot of people were interested,” he added. “I don’t know, I just want creative control and I do everything”. Tyler also added, “Everyone’s cool, but I don’t think you guys have what I have and could help me get to what I truly want, not what we think we’re supposed to have as musicians or artists or this shiny plane. I don’t want that. Right now, I just want to sit on Photoshop and make this stuff and make these weird beats, and then I’ll get there.’”
Despite the rejection, the business move did not sour their relationship. Tyler and JAY-Z have maintained a supportive friendship, with Tyler even publicly sharing his top six JAY-Z songs to celebrate the Brooklyn legend’s 52nd birthday in 2021.
Watch the full interview above.
