Tyler, the Creator in the official video for his 2013 single ‘Tamale’; Photo: OFWGKTA/YouTube

With the release of his latest album Flower Boy, Tyler, the Creator found himself having to explain lyrics that some felt were directed at Frank Ocean. And while he did clear the air, saying that fans simply misheard the verse, it did bring into question the uncertainty over Tyler, the Creator’s sexuality.

A legion of fans have broken down lyrics from Flower Boy and compiled them alongside some questionable statements, suggesting that the bombastic, sometimes homophobic rapper might actually be gay.

Adding fuel to the fire, in an interview with Rolling Stone Tyler did say that he is “gay as fuck,” but this comes from a rapper who talks about rape and domestic violence as if they were house chores. In other words his statement doesn’t appear to hold any weight, which introduces a larger question — does it even matter?

Decades ago, the rap landscape looked very different than it does today; about as politically correct as a Bukowski novel. Unless it was in a disparaging way, the mere mention of homosexuality would send dudes into a frenzy, completely taboo. Legendary lyricists like Jeru the Damaja, Brand Nubian and Eminem have all taken shots and without shame either. It set a woeful precedent that on a larger scale reflected just how little progress had been made.

Lest the world not forget Shady’s 2001 hand-holding “Stan” duet with Elton John and some of the lyrics in the Eminem cannon that instigated it, i.e. “Criminal:”

My words are like a dagger with a jagged edge
That’ll stab you in the head, whether you’re a fag or lez
Or a homosex, hermaph or a trans-a-vest
Pants or dress, hate fags? The answer’s yes
Homophobic? Nah, you’re just heterophobic

Slowly the tide has shifted. Artists like Frank Ocean, Mykki Blanco, ILoveMakonnen and Taylor Bennett have all gone public. None have necessarily launched a crusade in the sense that their art is centered exclusively around their sexual identity, but the impact has been felt all the same. Before, coming out as gay in the rap scene was a death sentence.

Now, thankfully that attitude is changing; albeit at a glacial clip — red hot rising lesbian rapper Young M.A. is garnering think pieces for being just as mysoginistic and homophobic as her male hetero peers, pointing to lines  like this on her smash hit, “OOOUUU:”

Baby gave me head, that’s a low blow
And she make me weak when she deep throat
‘I need a rich bitch not a cheap ho
I don’t open doors for a ho (not at all!)
I just want the neck, nothin’ more
Shawty make it clap, make it applause
When you tired of your man, give me call

If Tyler, the Creator was to come out as gay, there would certainly be a faction of people who will either praise his courage or condemn his hypocrisy, reflecting the polarizing views that have deadlocked the general public. The truth is that it should only matter as much as the artist wants it to matter. And as a responsible and intelligent society we should take it in stride and exercise compassion or at the very least understanding.

Whether or not it’ll translate to good art is another matter altogether.