Tyga's Hotel California dropped today, after letting go of several leaks over the last week, including "Don't Hate The Playa" and "Hit Em Up". The YM rapper stopped by LA leakers as part of his promotional tour, where he spoke of the influence of rap, Rick Ross' lyrics controversy, and the Harvard protests around his scheduled performance at the university.
“We all got friends that's been in jail, or that's done stuff, that's sold drugs or whatever” said Tyga, explaining that “sometimes, you gotta be the voice for them people.” He spoke of how it's been this way for a long time, indicating “that's what rap is”, and pointing towards Tupac, who was known to tell stories that weren't necessarily true to him, but what his people needed to hear. Pac would talk about having kids, and his baby mama getting on his nerves," said T-Raww, adding, "He was the voice."
The Young Money rapper then spoke of the influence of hip hop, a possible reason why lyrics often cauyse such controversy. "Hip hop/rap is the most influential culture over any genre of music. I don't care what you say. Everyone wants to be a rapper. Everybody wants to dress like us, to talk like us, and have that freedom like we have. But at the same time it's like the most negative culture."
On Ross' verse on the Rocko song "U.O.E.N.O.", Tyga felt the situation was blown out of proportion. "It's freedom of speech," he said, "I mean it wasn't even his record." The rapper expressed that those criticizing Ross probably don't actually know all that much about him. "I mean activists, and all those righteous groups. That's what they do, they probably don't even listen to Ross's music. I know they don't know who Rocko is." he said, concluding that "they're just finding anything they can."
T-Raww then spoke of the recent petition that attempted to ban him from performing at Harvard university. "There's a group on campus that are protesting to not have me perform because of my lyrics." he said, "they say I promote sexism and rape culture."The rapper argued that while those that oppose his music have the right to do so, he's also entitled to speaking freely. "At the end of the day, people have the right to have opinions. I have the right to have an opinion, and I have the right to say what i want on my music. If you don't like it don't click on it, don't download it."
Tyga concluded that his music is just a reaction to a range of experiences. "I can admit i make negative music, but I also make positive music, because that's what's thrown at me with life. It's your goods and your evils."
Watch the full interview below.