Tyler, The Creator once turned down record deals from Jay-Z and Diddy way before he blew up on his own.
During his appearance on DJ Drama's new Gangsta Grillz Podcast on Audible, the 32-year-old revealed that the Brooklyn rap legend tried to offer him a deal while they were enjoying tacos in his home in Los Angeles. Tyler declined the offer, as well as one from Diddy because he wanted to have sole creative control over his business.
"[He] invited us to one of his L.A. homes, and we just ate tacos," Tyler told Drama at the 11:35 mark. "We ate some tacos and he wanted to sign us. I was like, 'Man, you're cool, but no.'"
He continued, "Him, Puff… a lot of people were interested… I don't know, I just want creative control and do everything."
Tyler's decision proved to be beneficial as he went on to introduce Odd Future to the world and kickstarted his own career as well as several members of the group, including Frank Ocean, Taco Bennett, Syd, Jasper Dolphin and more.
Even though Tyler didn't sign with Jay-Z, he still managed to collaborate with him in the past. They joined forces on Frank Ocean's "Biking" in 2017, and Tyler has even said in an old Hot 97 interview that Jay-Z has always given him advice.
"Going to that man's house is just enough to be like, 'Oh, you can do this! You could be a fuck up, figure it out, be good, be great, and do this,'" he said. "That man's what, 51? Bro, he has the spirit of an excited 16-year-old at basketball camp. He's just fun and he's ageless. I don't know how to explain it … bro, he's a geek. Geeks are so important."
Elsewhere, Tyler doubled down on objective Top 5 lists, saying people who fixate on them are "fucking lame."
"I rather hear people talk about the shit they like and love and their favorites instead of who is the best based on numbers," he said at the 13:55 mark. "Like, that's crazy that you care about another nigga's Top 5 list when you're on your way to work. Go get a fucking hobby. It truly blows my mind."
You can listen to the full episode here.
