Andrév3000 had high praise for Tyler, the Creator, as he presented him with Variety's Innovator of the Decade award, calling the 33-year-old rapper-producer one of the most relentlessly curious and creatively driven artists of his generation.
The moment capped off a milestone year for Tyler, who has been receiving widespread recognition for more than a decade of groundbreaking work across music, fashion, design, and film. In 2025 alone, he was named Apple Music's Artist of the Year, headlined global festivals, and performed for Outkast during their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. But hearing one of his idols honor him onstage was a distinctly full-circle moment.
"I've known Tyler for a few years now, and I've witnessed him surge with ideas and bring them to life repeatedly," Andre told the crowd, celebrating Tyler's nonstop creative momentum. "To see his excitement, momentum, and passion, it's infectious. He cares about what he's doing, and innovating himself is a constant. He always has his antennas up and is experiencing everything around him with great curiosity."
Andre also praised Tyler's ability to inspire younger artists and build creative ecosystems, noting that nurturing others is part of what makes him a true innovator. "If you can inspire others to want to purely make something, you've done a great deed," he said.
Tyler accepted the award with his trademark mix of humor and honesty, admitting he doesn't often stop to reflect on how far he's come since debuting with Odd Future and releasing Bastard in 2009.
"I don't take the time out to look back at what I've done," he said. "But damn, it does feel good to hear the last 15 years you've been doing super-duper, awesome shit. I'm so grateful y'all have noticed things I've done."
He added that he was shocked to be chosen, given the artists he considers true innovators, such as Stevie Wonder, Missy Elliott, Pharrell, andKanye West. But he acknowledged that constant reinvention is where he thrives: "Me always looking forward, me always wondering what the next thing is, that's where I sit comfortable at."
Tyler's recent creative output has been among the strongest of his career. His 2024 album Chromakopia and surprise 2025 follow-up Don't Tap the Glass both earned Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album. He also stars in Josh Safdie's upcoming film Marty Supreme alongside Timothée Chalamet.
