(NOTE LANGUAGE) Lil Yachty's new album, Let's Start Here, is different than his previous albums. Instead of dabbling into his usual rap flow, he switched it up and delivered a psychedelic rock project, a decision he made to break out of his categorization as a SoundCloud rapper.
Speaking at a private listening party, Yachty said, “This album is so special and dear to me. I think I created it because I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist. You know? Not just some SoundCloud rapper. Not some mumble rapper. Not some guy that just made one hit."
"I wanted to be taken seriously because music is everything to me, and I respect all walks of music," he continued. "Not just rap and hip-hop but everything. I wanted to make something that showed the world ... just how great music is to me.”
Lil Yachty is one of many artists whose career popped off on SoundCloud, thanks its accessible and less restrictive process of uploading songs. The sound he created on the streamer, he adds, has been emulated by many, which is also why he decided to switch things up.
“A lot of n****s are copying the swag, and I just felt like if everyone can do this, that’s fine," he said. "But I’m going to show y’all what y’all can’t do.”
Let's Start Here, featuring Justine Skye, Daniel Caesar, Fousheé, Teezo Touchdown and Diana Gordon, is now available on streaming services.