Tyler, the Creator recently ventured into directing commercials when Mountain Dew came calling. The result was probably not what Mountain Dew had planned, as after the ads started circulating, they were criticized for being racist, which led to Mountain Dew pulling all the commercials Tyler directed.
While it was one commercial in question which sparked the controversy, all the commercials Tyler did were removed from Mountain Dew's YouTube yesterday, as we reported. A spokesperson for PepsiCo released a statement yesterday, apologizing for the 'perceived racism.'
Now, Tyler's manager has responded to Mountain Dew taking down the commercials, and Tyler himself has also responded on Twitter. Tyler says what many have been saying in defense of the rapper/director-- that the ad in question was taken out of context.
Tyler tweeted in all-caps, "IDIOTS THE LADY IN THE NEW MOUNTAIN DEW COMMERCIAL IS THE WAITRESS THAT GOT ATTACK RETARD."
The OF rapper then tweeted directly at Dr. Boyce Watkins, the social commentator who called Tyler's commercial "arguably the most racist commercial in history." Tyler tweeted, "I Would Love To Have A Convo With @drboycewatkins1." Dr. Watkins seemed open to the idea.
Christian Clancy, Tyler's manager (as well as Frank Ocean's), took to his Tumblr to release an apology, but also disagree with the intrerpretation of the ad. Clancy explained the context,
"Context may or not help those who are offended and I wholly respect that but for those who are interested I can offer the following and leave the rest to Tyler. 1. This spot was part of an overall admittedly absurd storyline about a crazy goat who becomes obsessed with Mountain Dew 2. The lady in front of the lineup is the waitress from the first spot. 3. The lineup consists of Tylers friends and odd future members who were available that day. (LBoy, Leftbrain, Garret from Trash Talk and Errol) 4. He absolutely never intended to spark a controversy about race. it was simply an again admittedly absurd story that was never meant to be taken seriously. Again we apologize if this was taken out of context and would never trivialize racism, especially now in America where voting and civil rights are being challenged at the highest level. I can however stand firmly by someone I have believed in since we met only because I know him and i know all of this was never his intent."
Read his full statement here.
https://twitter.com/_/status/329697460937179137
https://twitter.com/_/status/329714157924536320
https://twitter.com/_/status/329664108397985793