Switching Genres – Lil Yachty’s ‘Let’s Start Here’
Variety
Musician Lil Yachty pictured during an interview with Variety magazine.
You may know rapper Lil Yachty from his recent single ‘Poland’ or from being featured on hit song ‘Broccoli,’ but have you listened to his most recent album? ‘Let’s Start Here.’ features 14 tracks all of which are co-produced by Lil Yachty, and it is taking the internet by storm. The rapper’s music usually falls into, well you guessed it- the rap category, but this album will be labeled as psychedelic rock.
Lil Yachty was born as Miles Parks McCollum in Atlanta, Georgia. Lil Yachty first came to fame in 2015, after the release of his debut mixtape called ‘Lil Boat’, featuring popular songs ‘One Night’ and ‘Minnesota.’ Yachty released his first EP at only 17 years old.
In February of 2016, Yachty started his modeling career, being featured in the show for Kanye West’s Season 3 fashion line. Now, Lil Yachty has his own clothing collaboration with Nautica in the US.
The rapper came from humble beginnings, however. He grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, and later moved to New York City for his career, living on his friend’s couch. “I always knew I was going to be something,” Lil Yachty told the New York Times, “I didn’t know what.” After gaining fame and building his career in 2016, Lil Yachty changed his outlook, “I’m not a rapper, I’m an artist, and I’m more than an artist. I’m a brand.”
However, until January 2023, Yachty has yet to release a alternative – psychedelic rock album. ‘Let’s Start Here’ was released on Friday, January 27th, 2023 through Concrete Records, Quality Control Music, and Motown Records.
The album begins with a bang, a six and a half minute song named “the BLACK seminole.”
According to Genius, the song is referring to the Afro-Indigenous group of the mid 1800’s composed of freed slaves and Indigenous people named “black Seminoles”.
Many fans believe that Lil Yachty derived inspiration for the album from artists Tame Impala and Pink Floyd.
It has been noted that other rappers have transitioned into the rock genre as well. Kid Cudi with his album “Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven” or Lil Wayne’s album “Rebirth.”
Since its release, most reviews of “Let’s Start Here” have been positive. Fans are refreshed to hear an album from Yachty with not only a different base line, but an entirely different genre. Not only this, but Lil Yachty himself seems to be creatively and musically liberated.
Senior Emily Osit is a passionate, humble, and artistic editor for The Bobcat Prowl. Osit enjoys listening to music, reading, and hanging out with her friends. She is looking to expand her horizons, write...
