Yachty has released six studio albums, beginning with Teenage Emotions in 2017. His second and third studio albums Lil Boat 2 and Nuthin' 2 Provewere released in 2018, followed by Lil Boat 3 in 2020. Yachty's fifth album, Let's Start Here(2023) marked a departure from his previous style, experimenting with psychedelic rock.[8] He collaborated with English singer and producer James Blake for his sixth album, Bad Cameo(2024).
Four of his albums have charted within the top 20 of the Billboard 200, with Lil Boat 2 peaking at number 2. Lil Yachty is also notable for his features on the 2016 multi-platinum songs "Broccoli" by DRAM and "ISpy" by Kyle; as well as his cherry-red hairstyle, lighthearted tone, and optimistic image.[9][10] Yachty was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on "Broccoli".[11]
Early life
McCollum was born in Mableton, Georgia.[12] He attended Alabama State University in fall 2015 but soon dropped out to pursue his musical career.[13]He adopted the name "Yachty" and moved from his hometown of Atlanta to New York City to launch his career. In New York, he lived with a friend and networked with online street fashionpersonalities, while he built up his own Instagramfollowing.[14] He worked at McDonald's to supplement his income early in his career.[15]
Career
2015–2017: "One Night", Lil Boat, and Teenage Emotions
Yachty first came to prominence in December 2015 when the SoundCloud version of his song "One Night" was used in a viral comedy video.[1]
In June 2016, Lil Yachty appeared in XXLmagazine as part of their 2016 Freshman Class. As part of this appearance, Yachty performed a 'freshman cypher' alongside Denzel Curry, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and Kodak Black. As of March 2021, this cypher has received over 180 million YouTube views, by far the most for the XXL channel.[20]
In December 2016, he was featured on the hip hop single "iSpy" by Kyle.[21] He was featured in Tee Grizzley's single "From the D to the A", released in March 2017.[22]
On May 26, 2017, Lil Yachty released his debut studio album, Teenage Emotions. It features guest appearances from Migos, Diplo, and YG, among others.[23][24] Three promotional singles were released to coincide with the album. The first promotional single, "Harley", produced by K Swisha, was released on April 14, 2017.[25][26] The second promotional single, "Bring It Back", produced by Free School, was released on May 4, 2017.[27][28] The third promotional single, "X Men", produced by 30 Roc and Tillie and featuring a guest appearance from American rapper Evander Griiim, was released on May 18, 2017.[29][30] He featured in a remix of "With My Team" by Creek Boyz, released December 15, 2017.[31]
In 2017, Yachty appeared in several high-profile promotional campaigns. He starred alongside LeBron James in a Sprite commercial, where he is seen in an ice cave playing the piano.[32] Lil Yachty was picked to be the face of the new Nautica and Urban Outfitters collection for the Spring 2017 season.[33] Yachty also appeared in the "It Takes Two" video with Carly Rae Jepsen for Target.[34]
2018–2022: Lil Boat 2, Nuthin' 2 Prove, and Lil Boat 3
Lil Yachty performing in 2018
In January 2018, it was reported that Lil Yachty and Takeoff were working on a collaborative project.[35] This project has yet to be released as of 2023, especially following the death of Takeoff in November 2022. Yachty's second studio album, Lil Boat 2, was released on March 9, 2018.[36]Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, Lil Boat 2 performed well commercially, debuting at number two on the US Billboard 200, with 64,000 album-equivalent units. The album featured 2 Chainz, Quavo, and Offset, Ugly God, among other guests. On October 19, 2018, Yachty released his third album, Nuthin' 2 Prove. The project received similarly mixed reception and debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Also in 2018, Yachty appeared on Bhad Bhabie's platinum single "Gucci Flip Flops" and Social House's gold single "Magic in the Hamptons", and worked with Donny Osmond to create a theme song for Chef Boyardee titled "Start the Par-dee".[37] In December 2018, E-sports group FaZe Clanannounced that Yachty had become their newest member. Yachty took on the name "FaZe Boat", in reference to his 'Lil Boat' nickname and mixtape.[38]
Lil Yachty in June 2019
After a relatively quiet 2019, Lil Yachty teamed up with fellow Atlanta artists Lil Keed, Lil Gotit, and veteran producer Zaytoven in February 2020 for a collaborative mixtape, A-Team.[39] Yachty released the lead single for his next studio album, Lil Boat 3, on March 9, 2020. The song, titled "Oprah's Bank Account", features Drake and DaBaby.[40][41] The release was accompanied by a 9-minute music video directed by Director X, in which Yachty dresses up as a parody of Oprah Winfrey.[42]Lil Boat 3 was released on May 29, 2020 and debuted at number 14 on the US Billboard 200.[43] A deluxe version of the album titled Lil Boat 3.5 was released on November 27.[44] On October 19, 2020, Lil Yachty announced his intention to release a mixtape before the end of 2020.[45]Michigan Boy Boat was released on April 23, 2021. The project draws heavily from the burgeoning Detroit rap scene, in contrast with Yachty's usual pop rap and Atlanta trap style.[46]
Throughout 2020, Yachty was one of the many celebrities to gain a large following on social media app TikTok.[47][48] Yachty performed the theme song for the 2020 revival of Saved by the Bell, which was a remixed version of the theme from the original television series.[49] In early 2021, Yachty was reported to be producing and starring in a live-action movie based on the UNOcard game, which is being developed by Mattel Films.[50] Yachty is featured in the Pokémon25th anniversary music album.[51]
On October 11, 2022, Yachty released the non-album single "Poland", which went viral online right after.[52]
2023–present: Let's Start Here, Bad Cameo
In December 2022, Yachty's fifth studio album, then rumored to be called Sonic Ranch, was leaked online. The album was a departure from Yachty's signature trap sound, and was instead heavily influenced by psychedelic rock. On January 27, 2023, the album, entitled Let's Start Here, was released to positive reviews.[53]Yachty's label and collective Concrete Boys, which includes Karrahbooo, DC2Trill, and Draft Day, released their debut single, "Mo Jams", in December 2023.[54]Bad Cameo, a collaborative album with English producer James Blake, was released on June 28, 2024.[55
blogpay
Miles Parks McCollum
.jpg)
