What did Tyler the Creator say about Ian? Rising rapper's manager claps back after alleged interview diss 

In an August 14 interview on SpringHill's Mavericks with Mav Carter, rapper Tyler The Creator appeared to have called out aspiring rapper Ian. The 33-year-old did not name Ian but received a response from the latter's manager, Abou, aka Bu Thiam.

During the conversation about music, Tyler retained a strict stance on how most artists from the young generation are fixated on copying the signature styles of established musicians and how they aren't gifted with the art of performing. Tyler said these young rappers end up dressing alike in their attempt to imitate the older generation's style.

He stressed that Eminem, T.I., 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Dr. Dre, or Kanye West — none of them tried to sound like one another but chose to represent their individual musical style and excelled. On the other hand, Tyler said young generation rappers use the "same slang" irrespective of their socio-geographic roots.

Maverick opined that the increasing popularity of hip-hop as a genre could be the reason behind cultural appropriation, as many new kids are opting for this profession to "make money." Tyler The Creator added:

"This white kid, regular like Caucasian man and he's like, mocking Future and Gucci Mane, like rap music. And like, people are like, 'this s**t hard'. It's not even like satire."

Tyler emphasized how much 'rap music' means to him because it changed his life and other people's lives around him, and he is a "nerd" about this genre.

"I'm looking at it and something about it...don't even sit well with me in comparison to someone like a Mac Miller or Eminem who didn't seem like they was mocking it. They had a genuine love for it," he added.

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Ian's manager, Bu Thiam, addresses Tyler The Creator's recent comments

Despite Tyler not directly naming the "white," "Caucasian" kid in his remarks on Maverick's show, fans speculated it might be a dig at Ian, the 19-year-old breakout star. The young rapper garnered the internet's attention with his music video Figure It Out in May 2024.

Netizens were initially shocked as his appearance and technique of delivering the bars did not align with the conventional rap scene. He is also one of the new young artists who quickly became a viral sensation through his music. Thus, many assumed that Tyler referred to Ian in his latest criticism.

However, Ian's manager, Bu Thiam, also Akon's brother, took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday to address Tyler The Creator's comments. He mentioned the NEW MAGIC WAND rapper and asserted he is from Atlanta, and he signed Ian.

"He sounds nothing like Gucci or future lol. It's called influence," he said. "But i never thought I'd see the day where you become old & hate on the youth lol."

Ian did not respond to Tyler The Creator's remarks or Bu's statement. Tyler also did not clarify if his comment was aimed at Ian, nor did he respond to Bu's post.

Before the supposed Ian diss, Tyler The Creator took a dig at rising artists, in general, who he said "aren’t musicians" but are deemed so because they make "meme records."